The Big 12 went ahead and made it an even playing field.
After the conference cancelled the Big 12 Tournament amid the coronavirus situation, Oklahoma canceled media availabilities scheduled for Thursday. The Sooners had yet to give an update on where spring practices for the football team stood.
The Big 12 Conference made the decision for everyone. Here is the announcement in its entirety:
“The Big 12 Conference announces that beginning Friday, March 13, it is suspending all regular-season competitions, on- and off-campus recruiting, and out-of-season practices until Sunday, March 29.
“The suspension of these athletic-related activities does not include campus-based practices for in-season sports, strength and conditioning activities for all sports, and does not apply to teams and individuals participating in NCAA Championship competition.
“Earlier today the Conference announced the cancellation of Big 12 Championship events through April 15.”
The Sooners have scheduled competition in most of the winter and spring sports throughout the time period until March 29.
Oklahoma was scheduled to return to the practice field after the University of Oklahoma’s spring break (March 16-20). Earlier on Thursday, the university announced that it would be going to online only classes for two weeks after spring break amid the evolving coronavirus situation.
There has not been any clarity to regular season events after the suspended time period is over, but the NCAA cancelled its championships for the winter and the spring Thursday afternoon.
The Big West Conference indefinitely suspended competition, which cancelled the series between Oklahoma baseball and Cal Poly from Thursday through Sunday.
The coronavirus has not spread into Norman, Oklahoma, or Cleveland County yet, where the University of Oklahoma is located. Two people have been confirmed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and one other in the Altus, Oklahoma, area in far southwest Oklahoma. Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert brought the coronavirus to Oklahoma City, which is 20 miles north of Norman, unexpectedly over the last two days. Teammate Donovan Mitchell has also been confirmed to have the coronavirus and spent time in Del City, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma, for a private workout at Del City High School on Tuesday.
Oklahoma athletics has yet to make a statement on the Big 12 Conference’s suspension of activities through March 29.
Sooners Wire will post updates as more information becomes available.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]