Helena Frye
The Big Sky Conference Basketball Tournament was cancelled in March 2020 due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. The Big Sky Presidents' Council convened on Thursday, March 12, and voted to cancel the remainder of the tournament, including the men's quarterfinals games which were scheduled to begin that day in downtown Boise. The decision was made in the interest of the health and well-being of all involved, including student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and fans. The cancellation of the Big Sky Tournament was part of a larger trend of basketball tournaments being cancelled due to the coronavirus, including the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments and other major conference basketball tournaments such as the SEC, Big Ten, and Pac-12.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Cancellation | 12 March 2020 |
| Reason for Cancellation | Coronavirus threat |
| Tournament Stage | Men's quarterfinals |
| Location | Boise, Idaho |
| Venue | CenturyLink Arena |
| Tournament Organiser | Big Sky Conference |
| Person Announcing Cancellation | Commissioner Tom Wistrcill |
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What You'll Learn
- The 2020 Big Sky Conference Basketball Championships were cancelled due to the coronavirus threat
- The Big Sky Presidents' Council voted to cancel the tournament after consulting with medical experts
- The tournament cancellation impacted the local Boise economy, which benefits from the event annually
- The cancellation disappointed athletes, coaches, and fans, especially given the hard work of the student-athletes
- The Big Sky Tournament was not the only basketball tournament cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic
The 2020 Big Sky Conference Basketball Championships were cancelled due to the coronavirus threat
The cancellation was a disappointment to many, including the student-athletes who had worked hard all year and were looking forward to the opportunity to compete and the fans who had travelled to attend the tournament. The coaches and directors of the teams involved expressed their sadness for their students, especially the seniors, who had prepared and looked forward to this moment.
The Big Sky Conference, however, emphasized that the decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with medical experts, local authorities, and institutional leadership. They recognized the importance of the championships to all involved but ultimately prioritized the health and well-being of everyone's safety.
This cancellation was part of a larger trend of basketball tournaments being cancelled across the country due to the ongoing coronavirus threat, now known as COVID-19. Other major conferences that cancelled their tournaments on the same day included the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, ACC, Big East, and Big South, all citing similar concerns about the health and safety of their communities and the need to limit the spread of the virus.
The Big Sky Conference and CenturyLink Arena, where the tournament was to be held, offered full refunds to fans who had already purchased tickets and looked forward to welcoming fans back to the tournament in Boise in March 2021.
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The Big Sky Presidents' Council voted to cancel the tournament after consulting with medical experts
The Big Sky Conference Basketball Tournament was cancelled in 2020, with the men's quarterfinals scheduled for Thursday, March 12, being the first games to be called off. The Big Sky Presidents Council voted to cancel the tournament after consulting with medical experts, local authorities, and the leadership of their institutions.
The decision was made with the health and well-being of everyone involved in mind, including student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and fans. While the tournament is a significant event for all participants and fans, the potential risk to their safety was deemed too great.
The cancellation was a significant disappointment for many, especially the student-athletes who had worked hard all year and were looking forward to the opportunity to compete and showcase their skills. The coaches of the men's and women's basketball teams at Montana State University expressed their sadness for their students, particularly the seniors, who had dedicated their time and effort towards preparing for this tournament.
The decision to cancel the tournament was not taken lightly, as the Big Sky Conference acknowledged the importance of the event to all involved. The tournament is a highly anticipated event that generates significant economic impact for the host city, Boise, with an estimated $6 million in annual revenue. The cancellation of the tournament due to health concerns was a challenging but necessary decision to protect the well-being of the community.
The Big Sky Conference's priority was to ensure the safety of everyone involved, and they committed to providing full refunds to fans who had planned to attend the tournament. The swift action taken by the Big Sky Presidents Council, in consultation with medical experts, demonstrated their commitment to the well-being of the community and their adaptability in the face of challenging circumstances.
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The tournament cancellation impacted the local Boise economy, which benefits from the event annually
The cancellation of the Big Sky Basketball Tournament in 2020 had a significant impact on the local economy in Boise, Idaho. The tournament, which was scheduled to take place at CenturyLink Arena in downtown Boise, was expected to draw a large number of fans and visitors to the area. However, due to concerns about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the tournament was abruptly cancelled, leaving many fans disappointed and businesses in Boise impacted.
The economic impact of the tournament's cancellation was felt across the city. Local businesses, such as restaurants, hotels, and transportation services, typically benefit from the influx of visitors during the tournament. The loss of this revenue stream can have a ripple effect on the local economy, affecting not only the businesses themselves but also their employees and suppliers. It is also a blow to the arena, which would have expected a large take from ticket sales and concessions.
In addition to the direct economic impact, the tournament's cancellation also disrupted the plans of many fans and visitors who had already travelled to Boise or made arrangements to attend. This includes fans who had travelled from out of state, such as Bob and Betty Ackley, who came from California specifically for the tournament. These visitors would have contributed to the local economy through their spending on accommodation, dining, transportation, and other tourist activities.
The Big Sky Conference and CenturyLink Arena offered refunds to fans who had already purchased tickets, which further contributed to the economic impact. While necessary for the health and safety of all involved, the cancellation of the tournament highlighted the challenging balance between public health and economic considerations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The tournament is an annual event that brings attention and economic activity to Boise, and its cancellation in 2020 was a setback for the local economy. However, the tournament organisers expressed their commitment to returning to Boise in the future, recognising the support of their local partners and the importance of the event for the community.
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The cancellation disappointed athletes, coaches, and fans, especially given the hard work of the student-athletes
The cancellation of the 2020 Big Sky Conference Basketball Tournament disappointed athletes, coaches, and fans alike. The tournament was cancelled due to concerns about the coronavirus, with the Big Sky Presidents' Council voting to cancel the remainder of the tournament.
Montana State University Director of Athletics, Leon Costello, expressed his disappointment for the student-athletes, acknowledging the hard work they had put in. Costello also emphasised that the decision was made with their safety as a top priority. Montana State Head Women's Basketball Coach, Tricia Binford, shared similar sentiments, feeling for the students who had prepared for the tournament all season and would now miss out on the opportunity to compete, especially the seniors.
Head Men's Basketball Coach, Danny Sprinkle, echoed these thoughts, recognising the effort of the seniors and the harsh reality of not having the chance to play in the tournament. He also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the virus and supported the decision to cancel, which was a measure taken by many other conferences across the country.
Fans who had travelled to Boise, Idaho, to watch the games were also left disappointed. Some had arrived at CenturyLink Arena, ready to watch the games, only to find a notice on the door announcing the cancellation. Full refunds were to be issued to fans. The cancellation was a difficult but necessary decision, made with the health and safety of all involved as a priority, as emphasised by Commissioner Tom Wistrcill.
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The Big Sky Tournament was not the only basketball tournament cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic
The Big Sky Conference Basketball Tournament was cancelled in March 2020 due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. The tournament was not the only basketball tournament cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic.
On the same day as the Big Sky Tournament cancellation, it was announced that all major conference basketball tournaments were also cancelled. This included the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, ACC, Big East and Big South. The Ivy League had already cancelled its games, and the NAIA cancelled all remaining winter championships.
The decision to cancel the Big Sky Tournament was made by the Big Sky Presidents' Council, who voted to put the health and well-being of all involved first. This was a disappointing outcome for players and fans alike, with one fan, Bob Ackley, saying, "The players worked so hard... This was their chance to move on, and now it's gone."
The Montana State Head Women's Basketball Coach, Tricia Binford, expressed her disappointment for the players, particularly the seniors, who had been preparing for this moment all season. She also acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the situation and the need to prioritise safety.
The coronavirus pandemic caused widespread disruption to sporting events, with many tournaments and championships cancelled or postponed to protect the health and safety of those involved.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Big Sky Conference cancelled the remainder of the 2020 Basketball Championships, beginning with the men's quarterfinals scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2020.
The Big Sky Conference cancelled the tournament due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said, "This decision was not made lightly, as we know how meaningful our basketball championships are to our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and fans. After consulting with medical experts, local authorities, and the leadership of our institutions, we feel that this decision is prudent given the health and well-being of all involved."
