Longwood sports teams pause for at least a week

Published 1:26 pm Thursday, March 12, 2020

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Longwood President Taylor Reveley’s decision to cancel classes and events through Wednesday, March 18 means the schools’ spring sports season will take a pause as well. 

A press release on the Longwood University website Thursday morning said there will be no games at least for a week.

“In accordance with guidance from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and in line with Longwood University’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Longwood athletics will suspend all competitions from Thursday, March 12, through Wednesday, March 18,” the release stated.

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“All home athletics events on Longwood’s campus during that period will be postponed, and all team travel will be suspended. “

The suspension of athletics competition and travel aligns with measures taken by Longwood to safeguard the health of Longwood’s campus and the Farmville community, according to the statement. 

“Based on the guidance from state and local officials, Longwood University has determined that the suspension of in-person classes and events requiring mandatory attendance is in the best interest of our students, campus and the Farmville community,” Longwood Athletics Director Michelle Meadows said. “Athletics competition falls into that category, and as such, we will suspend all home and away events through next Wednesday. “The university will continue to monitor the situation closely and stay in regular contact with VDH to determine the best path forward and ensure the safety of our community.”

In softball, postponements for Longwood (10-11) include its Saturday and Sunday road games at Charleston Southern University and its Tuesday and Wednesday home games against Radford University.

For baseball, postponements for the Lancers (4-13) include their Friday, Saturday and Sunday home games against Radford and their Tuesday road game at University of Virginia.

In women’s tennis, cancellations for Longwood (7-3) include its Sunday road match at Hampton University and postponements include its Wednesday home match against Winthrop University.

In men’s tennis, postponements for the Lancers (7-5) include their Saturday home match against Gardner-Webb University and their Wednesday home match against Radford. Cancellations include their Sunday road match against Hampton University.

For women’s golf, cancellations for Longwood include the Low Country Intercollegiate slated for Saturday and Sunday in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

In women’s lacrosse, postponements for the Lancers (3-5) include their Sunday home match against Saint Francis University.

Several colleges have canceled the entire spring sports schedule including the entire Ivy League and the Patriot Conference have canceled their spring sports seasons. The PAC 12 conference has canceled spring sports competitions and championships until further notice.