Miami Hurricanes sporting events held without fans March 15-31 due to Corona Virus

The worldwide coronavirus pandemic has prompted the Miami Hurricanes athletic department to announce games will be played without fans from Sunday, March 15 through March 31.

The University of Miami issued a press release regarding the widespread decision throughout the Coral Gables campus to take action regarding the Coronavirus. Miami Hurricanes athletic events will be held without fans effective this Sunday, March 15 through March 31. No statement has been issued regarding spring football practice.

The Miami men’s basketball team ended their season yesterday with a loss to Clemson in the ACC Tournament. The Tigers were scheduled to play Florida State in the first quarterfinal on Thursday before the ACC joined the other four Power Five conferences in deciding to cancel their conference tournaments this weekend.

The NCAA Tournament, which Miami will not participate in, announced on Wednesday that it would be played only in front of family and essential personnel. The biggest moneymaker for the NCAA each season is now in serious jeopardy of being canceled for the first time in its 82 year history.

The Miami Hurricanes baseball team won on Wednesday night at Central Florida and is scheduled to play this weekend at Virginia Tech. No announcement has been made regarding the status of ACC Sports being played. The Miami baseball team is scheduled to host Lafayette, FIU and Virginia next week.

"EVENTS AND ATHLETICS COMPETITIONSEffective Sunday, March 15, through at least Tuesday, March 31, all campus events or meetings with 50 of more attendees, including external events, are canceled, with limited exceptions.Home athletics competitions will continue but without fans. This decision follows the NCAA decision yesterday to conduct the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments without fans.Please refer to the University’s dedicated COVID-19 site for complete, up-to-date guidance on campus events and meetings.All of the measures outlined above are being done to reduce the potential for the spread of the coronavirus and are in the interest of the safety of our University community.The University has launched an expanded COVID-19 site with up-to-date guidance, advisories, and links to resources at coronavirus.miami.edu."

The statement posted above the Tweet released by the University of Miami was taken from the full press released which is linked in the Tweet. It is also not known how the decision to limit fans from games and events with 50 or more attendees will affect spring football practice which obviously involves over 100 people.

Miami is currently on spring break which has been extended to March 23 due to the Coronavirus. The Miami football team was given the week off and expected to return on March 17. The spring game for Miami is currently scheduled for April 11 at Traz Powell Stadium. No decision has been announced if it will be played.

Michigan and Ohio State are among a handful of schools that have already announced the cancellation of their spring game. Miami Hurricanes Athletic Director Blake James was quoted in the Miami Herald stating “Our communications staff will send out an update as soon as we have determined next steps.”

The next steps were in reference to how the Miami football program will proceed with spring practice. James has not sent out a tweet from his personal account since February 15. Other Miami Hurricanes events effected include the UM Sports Hall of Fame which has been postponed April 2.

Everything is in flux right now. The entire situation is evolving on a national and conference level. The Miami athletic department will be at the mercy of the NCAA and the ACC as far as competition is concerned. Spring practice for the Miami football program will likely be decided by James. head coach Manny Diaz and staff.