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Virginia Tech Cancels Several
Sporting Events Following Tragedy |
Virginia Tech has canceled its spring football game, as well as today’s
baseball game against William & Mary, in the aftermath of Monday’s shootings
on campus that left 33 dead, according to John Packett of the RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH.
However, three home ACC events “will go on as scheduled” this weekend,
with the baseball team hosting a three-game series against Miami, the lacrosse
team hosting Maryland on Saturday and the softball team hosting Maryland on Saturday
and Sunday. In addition, the five teams “scheduled to compete at various
conference championships –- golf, men’s and women’s outdoor
track and field, men’s and women’s tennis –- will play as scheduled”
(
RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 4/18). When asked about canceling some events
but not others, AD Jim Weaver said yesterday’s softball game and today’s
baseball game were called off “because they were so close to the actual
event” (
TIMES-DISPATCH, 4/18). Miami baseball coach Jim Morris
said that the three-game series “could not have been rescheduled.”
He added that the team “would travel with extra security and that players
would not have the ‘freedom as they normally would have on a road trip.’”
Miami players will wear black armbands during the games (
PALM BEACH POST,
4/18). Morris said that he “doesn’t believe his team will be
in an unsafe environment.” Morris: “I just want our guys to feel comfortable”
(
AP, 4/17).
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Virginia Tech Officials Say Dropping
Spring Football Game Was Easy Decision |
EFFECT ON THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM: Virginia Tech football coach
Frank Beamer said of canceling the spring football game, “Being we’re
not in a season, I’m not sure asking our players to come and play football
when maybe they’ve got some other things on their hearts, is not the right
thing to do.” Beamer indicated that “no members of the football team
were affected by the shootings” (
RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 4/18).
In a sports section Cover Story, USA TODAY’s Skip Wood examines the impact
of the shootings on the football program. Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring
acknowledged that “at least a sliver of the program’s recruiting approach
probably will have to include assurances that Monday’s shootings were an
aberration.” He added that “no prospective recruits have called to
voice concerns about their safety.” Assistant coach Billy Hite said of canceling
the spring football game, “How can you have a football game when parents
are burying their child? It’s an easy answer: You can’t, and we won’t”
(
USA TODAY, 4/18).
ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY: NCAA Managing Dir of Public & Media
Relations Bob Williams indicated that any cases of Virginia Tech athletes seeking
to transfer or take time off “would be weighed individually” by the
NCAA. Williams: “If an individual wants to transfer, that might be a waiver
(from rules requiring them to sit out a season before resuming Division I competition).
If they feel so traumatized that they can’t compete but they want to come
back, that might be something else (such as granting an additional season of eligibility)”
(
USA TODAY, 4/18).
