NCAA basketball tournaments will open with no fans
Source: Washington Post
March 11, 2020 at 4:43 p.m. EDT
This story will be updated.
The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be played in nearly empty arenas because of concerns about the coronavirus, NCAA President Mark Emmert announced Wednesday afternoon amid swelling recommendations and orders from public officials, one of the most significant public actions in the face of the outbreak in the United States.
The games, which begin Tuesday night in Dayton, Ohio, will be played “with only essential staff and limited family attendance,” Emmert said in a release.
“While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how covid-19 is progressing in the United States,” Emmert said in a statement. “This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans and, most importantly, our student-athletes. We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families. Today, we will move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.”
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/03/11/ncaa-tournament-attendance-coronavirus/
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NCAA President Mark Emmert statement on limiting attendance at NCAA events: http://on.ncaa.com/gabyq
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4:31 PM - Mar 11, 2020
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--every organization looking at what others are doing and then eventually copying what others have done. Some have been more "bold" than others by insisting they weren't going to change their routines... until they cave and do! 
