Memphis cancels spring game, other events
The University of Memphis athletics department announced Thursday it canceled all public spring football events, including the Friday Night Stripes spring game on April 17, due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Spring practice is still scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
But three public football-related events, including Fan Appreciation Day on March 21 at the Liberty Bowl and a public practice in Nashville on April 4, have been canceled.
“We will continue to communicate closely with conference officials and our university administration, providing updates as things progress,” the athletic department said in a statement. “The health and well-being of our studentathletes, staff, their families and the entire Memphis community will remain our top priority.”
This comes on the heels of AAC commissioner Mike Aresco announcing Thursday that all spring sports competitions have been suspended until further notice.
The NCAA also canceled all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships, including the men's and women's basketball tournaments and the College World Series.
“The decision to suspend competition was made after consultation with member institutions as part of a continued effort to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to protect student-athletes, coaches, institutional and event staff, media and spectators,” the AAC'S statement read. “The Conference will continue to evaluate risks associated with intercollegiate athletics competition in conjunction with local and state health authorities.”
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