The announcement comes as coronavirus cases skyrocket across the United States: Wednesday saw the highest number of new coronavirus infections on one day to date surpassing 140,000, according to a New York Times database as hospitals reach capacity, causing some states to reinstitute more stringent social distancing protocols, curfews and mask mandates. More than 65,000 coronavirus patients were being treated in hospitals on Wednesday, according to the Covid Tracking Project, which is the largest number at any point in the pandemic.
Colleges and universities have been linked to at least 252,000 coronavirus cases and at least 80 deaths from over 1,600 schools since the pandemic began, a New York Times survey found.
The Ivy League had put fall sports on hold until January, and on Thursday the conference said it would not stage those seasons during the spring.
Other conferences that had made similar decisions to suspend fall sports have reversed course, taking precautions to keep football afloat through the fall but facing postponements and cancellations because of virus infections. The Southeastern Conference, home to football powerhouses like Alabama and Texas A&M, postponed four games scheduled for this weekend as players and personnel across programs tested positive for the virus.
Its a difficult circumstance, no way to paint it otherwise, the SEC commissioner, Greg Sankey, said in a teleconference with reporters on Wednesday. But we knew that challenges would emerge for college sports. Theyd emerge in the Southeastern Conference, just as challenges are present across the entire society in our country.read more
Ivy League Cancels Winter Sports and Stalls Spring Sports Over Coronavirus
