Pac-12 Tournament undergoing adjustments amid coronavirus fears

The Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament and other Pac-12 championship events are expected to take place amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The conference issued a statement Tuesday explaining that the events will still be held, but there will be changes to numerous aspects of the championships.

One of the biggest changes is limiting the locker room access for all Pac-12 championships until further notice.

“Media will not be permitted to enter team locker rooms, but will continue to have access to interview student-athletes and coaches at designated areas outside of the locker room,” the statement read.

“This decision is made given the close quarters and personal nature of the locker room environment, and after consultation with our schools, and consideration of the current recommendations of health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”

In addition, the Pac-12’s Hall of Honor Event, which was set to be held March 13, will be rescheduled. The plan is to hold the Hall of Honor induction ceremony during the 2021 Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

MGM Resorts and T-Mobile Arena partners will also be enhancing cleaning protocols, implementing increased hand sanitizers around the arena, more frequent cleaning and disinfectant procedures, and a heightened awareness of the protocols and procedures for addressing contagious diseases.

The Pac-12, however, is allowing individual universities to make their own decision when it comes to bringing the team band and spirit squads to the tournament and other championship events.

The Arizona State University Sun Devils made the decision early Tuesday to keep both the band and spirit squads from the Pac-12 Tournament.

The adjustments to the Pac-12 Tournament are the latest changes around the sports world as the NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS announced in a joint statement Monday that locker rooms and clubhouses would be closed to the media temporarily while the coronavirus spread ensues.

“We are coordinating with our member universities, the NCAA, our tournament and championship event partners, state and local health authorities, and the Pac-12 Student-Athlete Health and Well-Being Board, as we closely monitor coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” the statement read.

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