(KMOX) - The NCAA has canceled its men's and women's basketball tournaments on Thursday because of the spread of coronavirus. Both tournaments were set to begin next week.
The NCAA also canceled all of its spring championships in every sport: Hockey, baseball and lacrosse.
The decision comes one day after college sports' governing body announced all championship tournament games would be played without fans, and only necessary personnel and family would be allowed in the arenas.
St. Louis was set to host games next Thursday through Sunday at Enterprise Center.
The NCAA men's basketball tournament has been played every year since 1939 when Oregon won the championship in Evanston, Illinois.
Nearly all major professionals sports in the U.S. – NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS – has canceled or postponed its events.