Chicago State Cancels College Basketball Games, Travel Due to Coronavirus
Mar 4, 2020
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 16: Xavier Johnson #5 of the Chicago State Cougars brings the ball up court during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on November 16, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Chicago State University announced Tuesday that its men's basketball team will not travel for an upcoming two-game road trip and its women's basketball team will not host two upcoming home games over concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
According to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Chicago State said in a statement that the decision was made with the "health and well-being of the campus community in mind."
The Chicago State men's team was scheduled to face Seattle University and Utah Valley University in road games on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, while the Chicago State women's team was set to host Seattle and Utah Valley on those same days.
More than 100 cases of coronavirus have been diagnosed in the United States, including nine deaths. Each death occurred in Washington state, where Seattle University is based.
The Chicago State men's and women's basketball teams are reportedly believed to be the first teams in major American sports to cancel games as a result of coronavirus.
While coronavirus cases have recently surged in the United States, it is a worldwide issue with over 93,000 diagnoses in 70 countries and 3,100 deaths as a result of the virus.
Chicago State is currently undecided on whether its men's and women's basketball teams will participate in the upcoming Western Athletic Conference tournaments in Las Vegas, with a decision to be made later this week.
The school also noted that it is considering whether some of its other sports teams will have their travel schedules impacted by the coronavirus.
WAC commissioner Jeff Hurd told Stadium's Jeff Goodman that Chicago State officials are "seeking additional information" and are "officially undecided." Hurd added that if the Chicago State men's team does not play in the WAC tournament, No. 1 seed New Mexico State will receive a first-round bye.
Since the Chicago State men's basketball team is 4-25 (0-14 in WAC play) this season and the women's team is 1-26 (1-13 in WAC play), neither is expected to make much of a run in the tournament if they do participate.
