GREENSBORO, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on Thursday said it was suspending all athletic activities, including participating in the NCAA tournament, until further notice.

The ACC issued this statement:

“The Atlantic Coast Conference has suspended all athletic related activities including all competition, formal and organized practice, recruiting and participation in NCAA championships until further notice. The decision was made following consultation with the league’s presidents and athletic directors to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19.”

“This is uncharted territory and the health and safety of our student-athletes and institutions remains our top priority. This decision is aimed to protect from the further spread of COVID-19,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford said in a news release.

The news came just hours after the ACC announced it was canceling the remainder of its men’s basketball tournament due to coronavirus, or COVID-19, concerns.

Below was the ACC’s full statement on canceling the tournament:

“Following additional consultation with the league’s presidents and athletic directors, and in light of the continued conversations surrounding the fluidity of COVID-19, the Atlantic Coast Conference will immediately cancel the remainder of the 2020 ACC Tournament. For NCAA Tournament automatic qualification purposes, Florida State will represent the league as the ACC Champion. We are disappointed for our student-athletes, schools and fans to have to make this decision; however, the overall health and safety of all involved is the priority.”

Also on Thursday, the SEC, Big 10, and Big 12 also canceled the remainder of their tournaments.

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This move by the ACC comes just as the NCAA has pledged to refund ticket purchases to the women’s basketball tournament championship, as well as an announcement from the NCAA announcing similar attendance restrictions.

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