Devon Burningham
Sports Writer
The Big Sky Conference men and women’s basketball tournament last week in Boise, Idaho was suddenly cancelled midway through over concerns about the COVID-19 disease outbreak.
“The end of this season is different than any other season out there,” said men’s basketball head coach Ryan Looney.
After the women’s team advanced as far as the semifinals and the men’s team earned a huge upset over Northern Arizona in the first round, the cancellation came in order to help protect and prevent the potential spread of the virus amongst patrons and athletes alike.
As this was the tournament to determine who would move on to the big dance (March Madness), the decision has left many fans, athletes and staff feeling empty.
“I think at first, everyone’s immediate reaction was disappointment,” Looney said. “But as time has gone on now, you’re thankful that the Big Sky Conference and the NCAA put everyone’s safety first.”
Alongside the Big Sky, leagues across America have called for the suspension of operations including the MLB, NHL, MLS, NBA and the NCAA men and women’s basketball tournaments as the risk factor of infection amongst the leagues is very high.
Due to the magnitude of cancellations, the NCAA made the decision that any spring athletes affected by the cancellations will be eligible to play again next year. The decision is still up in the air to include winter athletes.
“Obviously, it is completely justified for anyone who is a spring athlete to get that year back,” Looney said. “They haven’t competed at all, really, in a spring sport yet.”
Along with the basketball tournament, every other spring sport and its individual tournaments have been cancelled until further notice.
The virus not only shaped how this season ended, but is affecting the next few seasons as well. Recruitment for all sports is currently on hold for all teams in the Big Sky until April 15, ultimately altering the future of the lineups and the student-athletes.
“Everyone is gonna do a ton of work on the phone, trying to connect with as many potential student-athletes as possible,” Looney said. “I think it puts all of the potential student-athletes in a tough situation.”
Although the sudden end of season is a hard pill to swallow, the extra time will now give the athletes’ time to take a step back from the games they play and rest up. When the time comes, they will be able to step back out onto the court or field with a new sense of determination and appreciation for their respective sports.
“At the end of every season, you’re required to take a couple of weeks off, so that’s what we are doing right now,” Looney said. “Their focus needs to be letting their body heal and doing a great job academically.”
It is currently unknown if the remaining sports will reconvene later this semester, but regardless of that, the Bengals will return in the future ready to make the university proud once again.
