The University of South Florida, along with the rest of theAmerican Athletic Conference, is suspending all spring sports competitions until further notice.
Earlier Thursday, USF said it would be closing all future home sports competitions to fans because of the coronavirus.
It also comes as the NCAA cancelled bothits Division I men's and women's college basketball tournaments.
The announcement came a day after USF officials said the university will start conducting remote classesfollowing spring break because of the impacts of COVID-19.
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The pause in play will affect baseball, softball, tennis and golf, starting with events that were scheduled for this weekend.
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Thursday’s spring football practice was rescheduled. The team was planning to be off of practice next week for spring break. A decision on the rest of spring practice, which is scheduled to start March 24, as well as the April 18 spring football game, has yet to be made.
University officials also said fans who have purchased individual game tickets or season passes are being automatically reimbursed by the USF ticket office. All purchasers will be contacted once the refund is processed, and if there are any questions, people can call the USF ticket office at 1-800-GoBulls.
On Wednesday, USF, along with all other Florida public universities, were ordered by the Florida Board of Governors to transition to online course instruction “as soon as possible.” For USF, that’s March 23, after next week’s spring break.
In addition, students who are travelling for spring break next week, are being asked not to return to campus for at least two weeks following their return trips. Students who had not been planning to travel for spring break are also being asked to return to their homes, if possible.
Students who are unable to return home will be allowed to stay in campus residence halls.
The announcement comes as officials said no spectators will be permitted at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix starting on Friday, and the Valspar Championship PGA Tournament at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor next week.
Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association have all temporarily ceased play because of the coronavirus.
