UCI CORONAVIRUS HOMEPAGE

Updated March 20, 2020 - 12:30 p.m.

MESSAGE FROM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR PAULA SMITH

Anteater Family,

It has been a difficult time for all.  It's surreal the magnitude of the impact COVID-19 is having on our country and the World.  It's an ever-changing landscape, one with apprehension on what's to come.  In reflecting, it has been a source of pride to be involved in sports.  Why, because in difficult times, sports (even in the agony of defeat) can have a positive impact on society such as but not limited to  bridging gaps locally, regionally and globally, healing spirits, engaging common interests, and serving as an entertaining outlet from current troubles and worries.  While the sudden impact and suspension of sports is devastating to our student-athletes, coaches and staff, I believe in their resilience to overcome adversity.  Now, all our efforts have to be towards healing one another and caring about our extended community.  That said, UCI Athletics understands the importance of doing our part in protecting our community and helping "flattening the curve".   We have a strong family and while the uncertainty is scary now, we are strong and will come out of this.

Sincerely,
Paula
 
In an effort to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the UCI Athletics family as we navigate COVID-19 together, the following information should be used as a guide to understanding the current response of UCI to the coronavirus.

COMPETITION AND PRACTICE
> On March 13, 2020 the Big West Board of Directors moved to cancel all spring conference and non-conference competition and championship events for the 2020 season.
>UCI has suspended all athletic activities, including practices, effective immediately, until further notice. This includes activities for all fall, winter, and spring sports.

EVENTS
>All third party events scheduled at UCI Athletic facilities have been canceled.

CAMPS AND CLINICS
>All camps and clinics are currently suspended. Please visit our Camps page for updates on any upcoming clinics and Summer Camps.

TICKETS
> The UCI ticket office is currently closed until further notice, but can be reached via email at tickets@uci.edu.  Fans who purchased tickets for any now cancelled Athletic event will receive a refund for each event.  All refunds should be reflected on statements by March 31^st. 

FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS
>Effective Wednesday, March 18^th, the following venues will be closed until further notice: Anteater Stadium, Anteater Ballpark, Anteater Tennis Stadium, Bren Events Center, Crawford Aquatics Center, Crawford Clubhouse, Crawford Field, Crawford Fieldhouse, Crawford Hall, Intercollegiate Athletic Building, Mesa Office Building, Newkirk Pavilion, Santora Elite Training Center, and Vista Field.
 
Effective Saturday, March 21st, both the Carlos Prietto Sports Medicine Center and the Al Irwin Academic Center will be closed, as well.

All UCI Athletics staff will be working remotely. Please refer to the Staff Directory for an email listing.

ANTEATER ATHLETIC FUND
>While the AAF staff is unable to accommodate in-person office visits during this time, we are ready to serve our donors needs via phone or email.

CLASSES
>All Spring quarter course instruction, including lab and studio courses, will be delivered remotely. Students will be able to receive instruction through distance learning options. All four-year public universities in California have moved classes online.

TRAVEL
>Students, faculty and staff should refer to the Travel Policy Amendment for COVID-19. The following policy is effective March 11 - June 30, 2020.

RECRUITING
>The NCAA has established a recruiting dead period until April 15.  During this dead period a college coach may not have in person contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents/guardians, and may not observe prospective student-athletes participating in their sport nor visit their schools.  Further, no offers of athletically related financial aid may be signed during this dead period.
 
COVID-19 PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS
We remind the UCI Athletics community to continue to take preventative actions:

• Always wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol (check out Peter T. Anteater's handwashing video!)
• Cover your mouth with your elbow when you cough
• Clean and disinfect surfaces often
• If you are sick, stay home and do not travel

Additional updates regarding UCI Athletic and special events will be published here as they become available. We encourage you to follow @UCIAthletics and @BrenCenter on Twitter for the latest updates on our athletics and special events.

March 13, 2020 - 12:41 p.m.

Big West Conference Cancels Spring Competition and Championships
 
IRVINE, CA – The Big West Board of Directors today moved from indefinitely suspending to canceling all spring conference and non-conference competition and championship events for the 2020 season. This action was taken following yesterday's NCAA announcement below canceling all 2020 spring championships.

March 12, 2020 - 12:00 p.m.

UC Irvine has suspended all athletic competition effective immediately, in response to COVID-19 concerns.

 

The announcement was made Thursday by the Big West Conference, in conjunction with UCI leadership and health experts.

 

The suspension applies to all spring athletic competitions and practices.

 

Any additional information will be communicated via its social media channels @UCIAthletics

Statement from UC Irvine Athletic Director Paula Smith:
"This is unprecedented, but the most important thing is the health and welfare of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. My heart goes out to those student-athletes and coaches who have dedicated themselves to their sports. All decisions have been made with safety in mind and I appreciate the cooperation with the university and conference to confront this important issue."

 

Statement from UC Irvine Men's Basketball Coach Russell Turner:

"We are obviously disappointed that we won't be able to compete in the Big West Tournament. But we are relieved and grateful for our health and the appropriate decisions that have been made. I applaud the decision-makers and the actions that were taken.."

"This is a serious issue for our country and our community and we need to get it right. Sometimes difficult decisions must be made and while we may be inconvenienced with some of those decisions I think we can all be appreciative of all we have here."

March 12, 2020 - 11:19 a.m.

BIG WEST CONFERENCE SUSPENDS ALL SPRING SPORTS COMPETITION

IRVINE, CA – The Big West Conference announced Thursday that it is indefinitely suspending all spring conference and non-conference competition, effective immediately.

The main priority of the Big West Conference and its member institutions continues to be the health, safety and wellness of the student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.

1:17 p.m. - Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men's and women's 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.


March 12, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.

BIG WEST BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT CANCELED

The Big West Conference announced today that it will be canceling the Big West Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament, effective immediately.

The main priority of the BIg West Conference continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, fans and media as we continue to monitor all developing and relevant information on the COVID-19 virus.

March 10, 2020 - 5:00 p.m.

UCI ATHLETIC EVENTS WILL CONTINUE AS CLOSED EVENTS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

With the uncertainty of the impact of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hovering, the University has taken some definitive actions that the campus is taking effective immediately, and until further notice.

These decisions are made in support of the concept of "social distancing," which is a public health concept to reduce the probability of contact between individuals who are or may be carrying a highly contagious disease. In support of these efforts, all UCI Athletics events and competitions will continue as CLOSED events. As such there will be no spectators or fans at these events.

Fans who have purchased tickets for any Athletic event may receive a full refund.

Campus Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Homepage
 
BIG WEST TOURNAMENT PLAYED WITHOUT SPECTATORS

The Big West Conference announced that this week's men's and women's basketball tournament will be played without spectators as a precaution for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Those who have purchased tickets for the event may receive a full refund from their respective points of purchase.

Full Release


March 6, 2020 - 2:00 P.M.

UCI Athletics is monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak closely with campus leaders, and in collaboration with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). We have been fortunate to not have a positive case on campus so far. However, given the uncertainty of the virus's trajectory, we are prepared to adjust our athletics programs, special events and guest experience to ensure the health and wellness of our athletes and fans.
 
Currently, all of our athletics programs and special events are running as scheduled. UCI Athletics is monitoring developments from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and OCHCA, and following University of California travel guidelines.
 
We are also tracking Big West Conference and NCAA recommendations and decisions related to athlete travel and games, including postseason basketball tournaments. Currently, there is no directive to cancel games or special events.
 
We remind the UCI Athletics community and guests to continue to take preventative actions:

• Always wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol (check out Peter T. Anteater's handwashing video!)
• Cover your mouth with your elbow when you cough
• Clean and disinfect surfaces often
• If you are sick, stay home and do not travel

Additional updates regarding UCI Athletic and special events will be published here as they become available. We encourage you to follow @UCIAthletics and @BrenCenter on Twitter for the latest updates on our athletics and special events.