The coronavirus pandemic safety concerns have caused the cancellations of March Madness for the men and women and also the shut down of the College World Series and Women’s College World Series among many other NCAA championship events.
Because of that, senior standouts at Arizona can not chase their championship dreams, unless the NCAA grants seniors another year of eligibility.
Adia Barnes posted on Twitter her emotional response to Arizona’s opportunity to host an NCAA tournament — its first March Madness appearance in 15 years — taken away because of the cancellation by the NCAA:
I just had to tell my team that our season is over. Just like that. We worked so hard. We were getting ready to host in the NCAA Tourney, we had not been there in 15 years.
#💔— ADIA BARNES 🐻⬇️🌵🌞 (@AdiaBarnes) March 12, 2020
Devastating! 😢
— ADIA BARNES 🐻⬇️🌵🌞 (@AdiaBarnes) March 12, 2020
The following are some more social media reactions of Arizona athletes and local athletes of the phenomenon of the coronavirus pandemic and how it is affecting sports (this will be updated throughout today and tonight):
Former Arizona pitcher Danielle O’Toole Trejo, who is part of Team Mexico that was scheduled to visit Hillenbrand this month as it prepares for the Olympics:
Call your grandparents today.
— Danielle O’Toole Trejo (@Oh_tooly3) March 12, 2020
Sunnyside wrestling great Roman Bravo-Young, who is a sophomore at Penn State:
Arizona freshman guard Nico Mannion, who may have played his last game with the Wildcats if he enters the NBA draft:
the past 24 hours have felt like a bad dream
— niccolo (@niccolomannion) March 12, 2020
Former Arizona softball player Katiyana Mauga, who is a volunteer assistant at Mississippi State:
I I really hope that they come up with a plan to give all these seniors another year of eligibility! This is just so sad! https://t.co/Mqdx4G2pa5
— Kati (@katiyana_13) March 12, 2020
Former Arizona guard Justin Coleman:
Arizona walk-on basketball player Jake DesJardins
Arizona goalie Hope Hisey, formerly of CDO:
Arizona senior forward Tee Tee Starks of the basketball team:
Arizona junior Ira Lee:
Arizona freshman center Christian Koloko:
Former Salpointe and Pima standout Robby Wilson, now with Arizona Christian, which was slated to play in the now-cancelled NAIA tournament:
I just want to take the court with my brothers one last time
— Robby Wilson (@robbyw_19) March 12, 2020
Former Cholla and Pima guard Abram Carrasco (a teammate of Wilson’s the last two years) played for Westmont College this season. That team went 26-5 and was slated to play in the NAIA national tournament that this is now cancelled:
2020 been the worst year EVER. Don’t @ me
— Abram Carrasco (@BankrollBramm) March 12, 2020
Arizona’s associate athletic director for marketing Ben Chulick:
Our first-ever @ArizonaSoftball programs arrived today. Today. Breaks my heart these women won’t get to compete for that 🏆 they had their eyes set on…in June. pic.twitter.com/oAcq0s1PMC
— Ben Chulick (@bchulick) March 12, 2020
Arizona centerfielder Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza:
— Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza (@lysssscat32) March 13, 2020
Arizona graduate transfer guard Amari Carter:
Fun while it lasted, was here for a good time not a long time!! Thank you Tucson! And to my team, I love you guys we had a special year!!❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/wL2Z265COW
— jane lane (@__Amarii2) March 12, 2020
Former Arizona standout Kristie Fox, now the head softball coach at UNLV, which had the rest of its season canceled by the Mountain West today:
Vegas weather mirroring my mood right now ☁️⛈ 🌧
— Kristie Fox (@kfox29) March 13, 2020
Arizona graduate transfer Stone Gettings has played his last game as a Wildcat after coming to Tucson from Cornell:
A thank you to fans from Arizona Athletics:
Thank you to Wildcat Nation for all of your incredible support of our teams and student-athletes ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/AiPLLTspCG
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) March 13, 2020