At 11 P.M. Wednesday night the conference announced the remainder of the Big East Tournament will be run under a restricted attendance policy amid concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
Under the policy, attendance will be limited to teams, coaches, event staff, essential team and conference staff, television personnel, credentialed media, and immediate family members of participating teams. Each school will be limited to 200 tickets.
The decision was made by each of the ten members of the conference on a conference call Wednesday evening.
"We have made this decision due to the rapid progression of COVID-19 and escalating developments nationally, as well as through guidance we have received from medical experts, local authorities and other sources," said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. "The support of our fans has made the BIG EAST Tournament one of the most exciting events in college basketball, but the health and well-being of our game participants is of paramount importance. We are very grateful to Madison Square Garden for their understanding and cooperation as we jointly manage a very difficult situation."
For anyone who purchased tickets, full refunds will be available at the point of purchase.
The move follows the Ivy League canceling its tournament altogether, several other conferences making similar attendance policies, and the NBA suspending its season.
Under the policy, attendance will be limited to teams, coaches, event staff, essential team and conference staff, television personnel, credentialed media, and immediate family members of participating teams. Each school will be limited to 200 tickets.
The decision was made by each of the ten members of the conference on a conference call Wednesday evening.
"We have made this decision due to the rapid progression of COVID-19 and escalating developments nationally, as well as through guidance we have received from medical experts, local authorities and other sources," said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. "The support of our fans has made the BIG EAST Tournament one of the most exciting events in college basketball, but the health and well-being of our game participants is of paramount importance. We are very grateful to Madison Square Garden for their understanding and cooperation as we jointly manage a very difficult situation."
For anyone who purchased tickets, full refunds will be available at the point of purchase.
The move follows the Ivy League canceling its tournament altogether, several other conferences making similar attendance policies, and the NBA suspending its season.