UD suspends spring sports games, practices because of coronavirus
Kevin Tresolini
Delaware News Journal
The University of Delaware has temporarily halted all sports competition and practices because of the coronavirus outbreak, which now includes four positive tests so far on campus, the school announced Thursday.
The suspension kicked in immediately, as the Blue Hens' home women's lacrosse game against Louisville Thursday afternoon at Delaware Stadium was called off.
NCAA Division II member Goldey-Beacom later announced it was also suspending all sports events and practices.
The Colonial Athletic Association, of which the Blue Hens are members, also suspended all sports, including its ongoing women's basketball tournament. Delaware was supposed to play William & Mary in the quarterfinals Thursday night at Elon (N.C.) University.
The CAA also announced that an official who had worked its men's basketball tournament that ran Saturday through Tuesday tested positive for the illness. It didn't give his name or which games he worked. Delaware played Sunday and Monday.
"You don't really have any practice on this one," said UD baseball coach Jim Sherman, whose team had four home games scheduled this weekend against Rhode Island. "It's kinda devastating but it's understandable.
"Your heart really goes out to the seniors. You just hope if you lose the whole season that the NCAA will feel within their heart to give these kids another year of eligibility. But some kids will be graduating and moving on to job opportunities that have already been presented. We have a few of those guys already. But some might want to come back and go to graduate school. We'll see."
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The move came the day after UD suspended classes and moved spring break up two weeks to start Saturday and announced no fans would be permitted at sports practices and events.
UD is providing updates on the situation at www.udel.edu/coronavirus.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com.