SEC cancels remainder of regular season, championships. Practices still suspended
The Southeastern Conference canceled remaining sports events for the rest of the 2019-20 academic year amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the conference announced Tuesday.
The cancellation includes all remaining regular season events, nonconference games, SEC championships, spring football games and NFL pro days. Mizzou’s pro day was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was scrapped.
As for other athletic activities — practices and meetings — those are suspended through at least April 15. So there’s still a chance Mizzou spring football practice will occur, though it’s still too early to determine. Mizzou’s annual spring game was set for April 11 before cancellation.
“This is a difficult day for all of us, and I am especially disappointed for our student-athletes,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “The health and well-being of our entire conference community is an ongoing priority for the SEC as we continue to monitor developments and information about the COVID-19 virus.”
The Big 12 and American Athletic are among other conferences that have scratched the remainder of their regular season competition. Last week, the NCAA axed all winter and spring sports championships, which included the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
Originally, there was a chance SEC schools could complete its season after originally suspending play. All games and practices were suspended through April 15, when the conference planned to re-evaluate coronavirus conditions.
The Mizzou baseball team finished its 2020 season 11-5 and on a seven game winning streak. The softball team was 19-7 and 3-0 in SEC play.
There’s still no definitive answer for the postseason ban both the baseball and softball team faced.
Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk said last week he reached out to the NCAA but had not heard back yet. School officials believe the ban should not transfer over to the next season, considering it was set for the current academic year.