STARKVILLE – Based on the latest developments and potential impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Southeastern Conference announced Thursday the suspension of regular-season competition for teams in all sports on SEC campuses, as well as SEC championship events, until March 30.
The first event affected by this is the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament in Nashville, which has been canceled.
For the health and safety of all involved, MSU will not be allowing coaches to conduct off-campus recruiting activities or host recruits on official or unofficial campus visits until March 30.
MSU’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Selection Show event at Humphrey Coliseum, scheduled for Monday, March 16, has been canceled.
MSU announced Thursday that classes will be suspended for the week after Spring Break, March 16-22. This class suspension applies to students only; faculty and staff will continue with normal operating procedures. Classes will resume the following week, on Monday, March 23, and will be taught online and via other alternative instructional methods. University residence halls and dining facilities will be open for students who need to return to or remain on campus. Students with the option of remaining at home until in-person classes resume may do so.
With no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the University community, MSU will remain open March 16-22 for faculty and staff.
"Putting the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, staff and entire Mississippi State community first is our top priority, and we stand firmly with Commissioner Greg Sankey and MSU President Mark E. Keenum on these decisions made today,” MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. “We will continue to work with our University leadership, the SEC and NCAA in regard to this rapidly changing issue. This situation remains fluid and anything is subject to change at a moment's notice. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our University, fans, partners and community during this time.”
All ticket purchases for MSU Baseball and the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship will be refunded within 30 days. Those who purchased individual game tickets to baseball games during the March 12-30 period will be refunded or issued a credit for future purchases. Baseball season ticket holders will be refunded or issued a credit in the amount of the value of those games in your season ticket package.
If you would prefer a credit for future purchases please call the ticket office at 662.325.2600 or email tickets@athletics.msstate.edu. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans during this process as phone lines will be busy. If you are not able to reach the ticket office via phone, please send an email. A member of the ticket office will respond to your email within five business days.
MSU will continue to monitor this situation in the coming days. MSU encourages fans, student-athletes and families to check HailState.com and msstate.edu and official social media channels for continuing updates as the situation evolves.
In addition to coronavirus updates, resources for faculty and staff to teach and take courses online are available at https://www.msstate.edu/coronavirus.
