The Latest: Two Division II conferences suspend fall sports

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:

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The Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference have suspended fall sports and championship events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The leagues announced the move Thursday and issued a joint statement, saying that “the welfare of our student-athletes is sacrosanct and must preempt all other considerations when evaluating any return to competition efforts.”

In its release, the CIAA said it would explore a possible modified competition schedule for football, volleyball and cross country for the spring. There is no time frame for making that decision. The league, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, said it would discuss plans for winter and spring sports.

Atlanta-based SIAC said it would also look at moving some fall sports such as football into the spring.

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Memphis is cutting 14% from its administrative and sports operation budgets.

The Tigers finished 17th in the country after a loss in the Cotton Bowl and had a game at Purdue scheduled for Sept. 12 cut by the Big Ten’s decision to play only conference games this fall.

Athletic director Laird Veatch also will be donating 10% of his salary for six months to Tiger Scholarship Fund and said men’s basketball coach Penny Hardaway, football coach Ryan Silverfield and women’s basketball coach Melissa McFerrin are giving back nearly $200,000 to Memphis athletics.

Veach said in a release Thursday that he appreciates the flexibility and sacrifices from his coaches and staff during what he called “arguably never been a more uncertain financial period in our history.”

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Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has tested negative for the new coronavirus and has joined...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/The-Latest-Madrid-forward-Vin-cius-to-repeat-15396373.php