The day the sports world stopped, I was preparing to broadcast what would have been the last college basketball game of the year.
However, the coronavirus (COVID-19) changed everything for everyone that day.
It was a fairly normal Thursday game day in Norfolk, Virginia at the MEAC Basketball Tournament until, the Coppin State women’s basketball season had concluded on Tuesday in the first game of the MEAC Basketball Tournament and the emotions of their season concluding had yet to subside.
Tuesday was the same day the IVY League canceled their basketball tournament, swiftly followed by the cancellation of spring sports.
Wednesday, was used as a catch-up day with updates to the on-air play-by-play schedule on the radio station websites and doing background research on Norfolk State.
Watching and listening online to the flood of information available was troubling to say the least.
Wednesday morning conversations had begun based on the Blue Jackets preparing to host the Penguins without fans present in less than 24 hours; Ohio Governor Mike DeWine had already postponed OHSAA playoffs indefinitely.
DeWine went onto proclaim the First Four games in Dayton would be played without fans in attendance.
The NCAA followed with March Madness set to be played without fans.
That evening, the new troubling reality of the COVID-19 outbreak began to unfold.
The MEAC Basketball Tournament continued with four sessions uninterrupted Wednesday, but a feeling of uneasiness was setting in.
Everything changed for sports teams in the United States when Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz center tested positive for coronavirus becoming the first known American professional athlete with COVID-19.
The NBA moved quickly to suspend the remaining games on the schedule and the season.
Thursday morning arrived with multiple NBA teams being tested for COVID-19.
Conversations with the Athletic Directors and Presidents at the MEAC Basketball Tournament had already moved into the spring sports seasons and determinations were being made.
As the MEAC Basketball Tournament played its noon game and prepared to play its 3 p.m. session the sports world had been turned upside down.
As I prepared for Coppin State to take on Norfolk State at the MEAC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, news began to come in as the Big Ten Tournament was being canceled not even 16 hours after the NBA suspended its season.
Then, The ACC and SEC followed and within hours all Power 5 conferences had canceled their tournaments.
By early afternoon, every other Division I conference had canceled their tournament except the MEAC which had a women’s game ongoing ahead of the pair of quarterfinals slated for this evening.
I watched online and took screen shots of a sports website that in real-time canceled the Norfolk State verses Coppin State game.
Devastated is the first word and emotion that I was overcome with.
Not being able to be with my Coppin family on that stage and under those lights with a team that closed the season on a 3-game winning streak and really seemed to be playing well and facing a team that had a pair of regular season wins against the Eagles as well as a home court fan advantage.
All of that build up going into tonight and in an instant; that opportunity was taken away due to COVID-19 concerns.
The decision to cancel the 2020 MEAC Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament was the absolute right decision by the conference leadership.
The MEAC took an additional step to cancel all spring sports seasons that were already underway. Going forward, it is my understanding; the NCAA after significant consideration to student athletes competing in the spring semester granted this year of eligibility back to the Seniors if they choose to compete next year.
That decision was recently announced in response to the pandemic.
As talkwilliamsport.com reported in real time that Thursday as events unfolded.
Mar 12th, 12:24 pm PIAA Suspends Basketball, AA Swimming and Diving Championships
Mar 12th, 12:35 pm Lycoming College Athletics Provides COVID-19 Update
Mar 12th, 12:55 pm Big 10 Tournament Canceling Remaining Games
Mar 12th, 1:55 pm NHL PAUSES SEASON
Mar 12th, 3:19 pm MLB Cancels Spring Training – Delays Opening Day
On the heels of the MLB announcement the MEAC announced the rest of the men’s and women’s basketball tournament was canceled.
Mar 12th, 4:28 pm MEAC Suspends Athletic Competition Through Spring 2020
Mar 12th, 4:33 pm NCAA Cancels Remaining Winter and Spring Championships
Mar 12th, 9:01 pm Penn College Cancels Athletic Events for Remainder of Spring Season
Mar 12th, 9:09 pm PSAC Meeting Friday Morning To Determine COVID-19 Response
Mar 13th, 9:48 am PSAC ANNOUNCEMENT ON COVID-19
So the game that I was preparing for was never going to happen, any chance the Eagles had to go dancing in the NCAA Tournament was dashed in an instant.
Now what?
The amount of communication going on with those in my Coppin circle was tremendous, in real time I was getting updates at the hotel before going back to the Scope Arena in Norfolk.
The Scope Arena was subsequently emptied due to coronovirus concerns.
What strikes me now, was the sight of the Navy ships at the docks in Norfolk under repair and then as the pandemic took an unprecedented toll on life in New York, the USNS Mercy arrived in New York Harbor this past Monday.
A ship that had been under repair in Norfolk just days before.
Being in Norfolk and seeing all of the military folks going about the daily routine nearly 3 weeks ago; to in an instant moving at lightning speed to come to the aid of those in need is truly awe inspiring.
Now we embark on something that has not happened in my lifetime, a foreseeable future without sports or games being played because of a silent, invisible threat that may never go away completely.
After the NCAA announced the remaining winter and spring tournaments and championships were being canceled my mind went to the last college games I called this season.
My mind went back to last week when the Lycoming College men’s basketball team played Elmhurst at the College of Wooster in the NCAA first round. Broadcasting the game with Lycoming College President and dear friend Dr. Kent Trachte and seeing the pride he exuded for the Warriors being on that stage and under those lights.
Even though the season ended in a loss, everyone with the program was hungry to return to the big stage again and soon.
Then, my thoughts turned to a few days ago and Chance Graham, Senior forward for Coppin State and the end of her career in a first round MEAC Tournament loss.
A player who amassed more than 1,000 points and nearly 1,200 rebounds in her hall of fame career had it end under the lights and on the big stage.
So many friends that are also on the tournament trail as broadcasters, coaches and players have shared feelings of uncertainty.
I look forward to more certain days and the fear of COVID-19 subsiding and the hope of someday soon the return to the big stage with those bright lights on again and the joy we all share in watching students and student athletes perform and play.
