/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/AL3EEB76BRHMJPSTA2IMWEBXYQ.JPG "New USF football coach Jeff Scott oversaw one practice before the coronavirus outbreak forced the Bulls to shut things down.")
Stories about the coronavirus pandemic are free to read as a public service at tampabay.com/coronavirus. Sign up for our DayStarter newsletter to receive updates weekday mornings. If this coverage is important to you, consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Tampa Bay Times at tampabay.com/subscribe.
• • •
USF’s 2019-20 sports season formally has ended, though a very remote chance still exists for a few more spring football practices.
As expected, the American Athletic Conference announced Monday that it is canceling all athletic competition and championships for the remainder of the academic year.
“In addition, all American institutions have ceased practicing,” the two-sentence statement concluded.
The announcement comes three days after USF athletic director Michael Kelly announced the school had canceled all team practices until April 5 and had encouraged its student-athletes to remain home until then if possible.
A USF spokesman, however, said Monday that spring football remains a possibility if it becomes “reasonable and prudent” for teams to return to practice. Such a scenario seems unlikely, however, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Sunday that gatherings of 50 or more people should be canceled or postponed nationally for the next eight weeks.
The Bulls held one practice under new coach Jeff Scott before being forced to adjourn amid the coronavirus outbreak. USF already has confirmed the annual spring intra-squad game won’t be played April 18 as scheduled. Whether it will be played at a later time remains unclear.
The baseball team was 6-11 when its season was shut down. The softball team, by contrast, was 16-9, having won 16 of 19 games after an 0-6 start. Four of those victories were against ranked opponents.
The men’s golf team had just captured its first team trophy of the season, winning the 11-team Challenge at Concession by 13 strokes early last week. The men’s tennis team was 9-4 and riding a four-match win streak.
• • •
Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage
EVENT CANCELLATIONS: Get the latest updates on events planned in the Tampa Bay area in the coming weeks.
BE PREPARED: Guidelines for essentials to keep in your home should you have to stay inside.
STOCK UP YOUR PANTRY: Foods that should always be in your kitchen, for emergencies and everyday life.
JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP: See updates and tips posts, and ask questions of our journalists.
FOLLOW OUR COVERAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook. Instagram. Twitter. Reddit.
LISTEN TO THE CORONAVIRUS PODCAST: New episodes every week, including interviews with experts and reporter.
HAVE A TIP?: Send us confidential news tips.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3KMXMNZYE5ATTCL2AYP224QPHU.png "Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene")
Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene
Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Explore all your optionsWe’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/iaeDzJ2KaiFAUxbBM3DAchrbLHA=/1200x675/filters:focal(2415x1015:2425x1005)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BVM2RQOYPB4HQ5FESYA2OEIJJM.jpg "How Alabama football fares after a Nick Saban loss is bad news for USF")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/JfVZYM9-dE_hmb62Yfbc2Zda7QI=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BTNPUFTUSVFJDMAMDMYCWF4QLM.JPG "For a Florida Marine who killed his wife, a life sentence or leniency?")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/1UBSj5m-xRfGZZEcla-IFGpL3CM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/P33MSCF4MBGAZKUPNSEUZYBTJE.JPG "Some Pinellas bus routes saved from chopping block")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/-JPHQB_Ko3A2X8a78K4FGK_XOng=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CKFY75Q655F3DGJT37SVRCFUAE.JPG "Hillsborough County spares arts funding")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/rYO6Ot6CWJQP6rl7TNWXR5cCoEQ=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4BBJWEVTENEZHMJVPFADWDROOQ.png "Pasco residents object to Bible-based textbook by money guru Dave Ramsey")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/E41bUCUzzQHiG9_29uuqrCsxG0I=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VQ3NJBWLB5FBNB753UX6KEE4MU.jpg "Here are Tampa Bay’s National Merit semifinalists for 2024")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/4eIyCAfMi2xOTk1Pe1w5vyg5EvA=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WPVXNZI6V5CZXBWFMVPW2O6C5Q.JPG "Tampa Bay restaurants, here are some free ideas")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/l5vIbluZg1nDrRoLMS2rNkswsOo=/1200x675/filters:focal(2245x1995:2255x1985)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WY6VVBKYZ5NXWPWJOYO7XVEFCU.jpg "College football Week 3 guide: Florida vs. Tennessee and Deion Sanders")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/ejZXd0q7WuARzBmiYRuj0tmLlNw=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WXZYD3LMZRD3PIUOPMF6ZWVK6U.jpg "Florida seeks to cut red tape that binds public schools")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/0DcWJ_hprpjL49xnXvxe9Dvdsmk=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OPG7KNK6AVDCNLGTPH6YDFMEYQ.jpg "Dear Penny: I took care of my dad. Can I inherit his Social Security?")