Buckeyes, Blue Jackets, Crew make big announcements amid coronavirus outbreak

Buckeye football fans won’t be getting their fix this spring. Amid the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, Ohio State has cancelled the annual spring game, scheduled for April 11.

“Ohio State’s Department of Athletics will continue to host intercollegiate athletic sporting events, but attendance at all events for the remainder of the academic year will be limited to student-athletes and their immediate family members, team coaches and staff, essential event management, operational and facility staff, and credentialed members of the media,” announced Ohio State on Twitter.

Ohio State added that they are aware their COVID-19 policy guidelines will cause disruption, “but the risk of not acting outweighs the inconvenience of these temporary measures.”

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News of the spring game cancellation comes after Gov. Mike DeWine’s order of limiting spectators at all indoor athletic events in the state of Ohio.

“The message to the people of the state of Ohio today is: There is a new, big, huge risk in your life,” Gov. Mikde DeWine said, per cincinnati.com. “You never thought it was coming. I never thought it was coming, but it was here. And you better calculate that risk just like you calculate everything else you do in your life.”

Ohio State spring game tickets purchased online or via phone will be automatically refunded within five to seven business days, while tickets purchased in person can be returned to the point of purchase for a full refund.

According to Eleven Warriors, Ohio State fans will have to hold out until the season opener against Bowling Green on Sept. 5 to catch the first glimpse of the 2020 Buckeyes.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Columbus Crew SC are also changing their policies following DeWine’s address. The remaining CBJ home hockey games this season will be closed to the public beginning with Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh.

“The health and well-being of our community is our priority and we appreciate the understanding of our fans, corporate partners and guests under these extraordinary circumstances,” the team said in a statement.

The Blue Jackets said they will work with season ticket holders on credits or refunds for affected games, according to 10TV. Single-game tickets will be refunded through their point of purchase.

MLS will announce Thursday that it is suspending the season 30 days because of coronavirus concerns, according to Columbus Dispatch.

In fact, all of Major League Soccer’s 26 clubs will postpone match play for 30 days, effective immediately.

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