The Collegian
Monday, March 18, 2024

Mens basketball pauses team activities, COVID-19

<p>Robin’s Arena, home to the Richmond Spiders’ basketball teams</p>

Robin’s Arena, home to the Richmond Spiders’ basketball teams

The University of Richmond announced on Tuesday that it would be pausing the men’s basketball program because of a COVID-19 outbreak. This is the second time the team has paused its season.

After winning against George Mason 77-57 in Fairfax on Saturday, the Spiders' upcoming game against city rival Virginia Commonwealth University is now in jeopardy. UR has not yet made any decisions about this coming game as well as the one scheduled against St. Bonaventure on Jan. 20. 

“In response to the results from the latest COVID testing and contact tracing for the Richmond men's basketball program, the Spiders are pausing team activities,” wrote UR in a press release. “No decisions have been made related to any upcoming games for the Spiders.”

The Collegian could not confirm whether there currently are active positive cases of COVID-19 on the basketball team.

When the first outbreak occurred, the team was forced to cancel its games against the College Charleston and Furman University. Early in the season and against smaller non-conference opponents, this wasn’t as big of an issue. In the midst of conference play, however, with March slowly approaching, any games canceled will serve to be quite crucial. 

Earlier in the season when the Spider’s game against Duquesne was postponed due to positive tests on the opposing team's staff, they managed to schedule a game against Loyola-Chicago on short notice. 

Contact sports editor Krystian Hajduczka at krystian.hajduczka@richmond.edu.

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