Chicago State Pulls Out of Road Games in Pacific Northwest Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

The coronavirus epidemic continues to affect sporting fixtures around the globe, as we've seen a number of leagues, teams, programs, and players alike announce precautions they plan to take in an effort to remain sterile.

Chicago State University has become the latest to join the growing trend. The school announced on Tuesday that its men's basketball team will not travel for its final two regular season games because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak across the country.

The Cougars were scheduled to play at Seattle University and Utah Valley University in road games on Thursday and Saturday.

Chicago State has informed the WAC that its men’s basketball team will not play its road games against Seattle University on Thurs. & Utah Valley on Sat. due to the Coronavirus threat, sources told @Stadium. There have been 9 deaths due to the Coronavirus in the Seattle area.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 4, 2020

There have been over 100 cases of coronavirus diagnosed in the United States, and 27 of those cases have been based in Washington. Each of the nine deaths that have tragically unfolded as a result of the disease have occurred in the northwest state.

Cougars athletic director Elliot Charles confirmed the school's intentions in an official statement, saying, "Chicago State athletics views our decision as a reaffirmation of our commitment to the well-being, health and safety of our student athletes."

The school also announced that its women's team will not host its final two regular season home games of the year.

The Chicago State University men's basketball team says it won't travel for two games this week, and its women's team will not host two games, the school says. They appear to be the first major sports event cancellations due to the coronavirus. https://t.co/bOjbA36ZC2
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) March 4, 2020

As of this writing, Chicago State is also deliberating whether it will participate in the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas next week, and the conference has yet to publicly comment on the precautions, if any, it will take for the annual knockout competition.