BEVO BEAT Texas Longhorns
Youuu’re out! Big 12 officially pulls the plug on all remaining spring sports’ seasons
Posted March 13th, 2020
Texas and the rest of the Big 12 won’t compete again in any sports for the remainder of the school year, the conference announced Friday evening.
In its most recent response to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, the Big 12 has canceled all remaining conference and non-conference competitions. Team activities, practices and meetings already have been suspended through March 29.
Friday’s announcement, however, did leave the door open for the possible return of spring football practices.
On Thursday, the Big 12 canceled its postseason basketball tournaments and suspended regular-season events, recruiting and out-of-season practices until March 29. The NCAA also nixed the postseason competitions for all sports.
One day later, the Big 12 went ahead and called off all seasons. “Due to the on-going developments related to COVID-19 the Big 12 Conference announces that all organized team activities whether organized or voluntary, including team and individual practices, meetings, and other organized gatherings, have been suspended until March 29 and will be re-evaluated at that time. In addition, all conference and non-conference competitions are cancelled through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year.”
Can’t believe this. This group was special… Thank you fans for the support we had over the short period of time..🤘🏻 https://t.co/0AEC4ufizq
— Brenden Dixon (@BrendenDixon1) March 13, 2020
Daaamn…this was OUR year💔🤘🏾
— ✨Ja.naaeee (@JanaeJefferson4) March 12, 2020
The decision officially closes the books on UT athletics for the 2019-20 school year. The softball team, which is ranked third in the NFCA poll, will end its abbreviated season with a 24-3 record. Texas was 14-3 in baseball and its men’s and women’s tennis teams had combined for a 24-6 record. The outdoor track and field season had not yet gotten underway.
Read more: Texas athletes, coaches come to grips with stoppage, all wonder what’s next
Have fans seen the last of some of their favorite Longhorns? Texas has four seniors on its baseball team. Six seniors are on the softball roster. A handful of Longhorns who participate in spring sports may soon need to decide between pursuing professional careers and returning to school.
On Friday, a NCAA committee did recommend the restoration of one year of eligibility for student-athletes who participate in spring sports. The logistics of such a process have yet to be ironed out.
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