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Florida athletics: It’s official — the season is over

By Matthew Clark

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 27: Players of the Florida Gators celebrate after defeating the LSU Tigers 6-1 to win the National Championship at the College World Series on June 27, 2017 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 27: Players of the Florida Gators celebrate after defeating the LSU Tigers 6-1 to win the National Championship at the College World Series on June 27, 2017 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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Well, so much for hope of a re-start to the spring season for Florida athletics as all competitions are canceled for the rest of the year.

The season had so much promise for Florida athletics.

Florida baseball was holding down the No. 1 ranking nationally and Florida softball was also nationally ranked, both with strong NCAA tournament prospects.

Let’s not even mention track and field, which never even got off the ground.

On Tuesday, the Southeastern Conference issued a statement, canceling the remainder of the 2020 athletic season for all sports.

The move is in response to continued concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19.

On top of all spring sports coming to a screeching halt, there will be no spring football games or pro days conducted by any SEC school.

"“This is a difficult day for all of us, and I am especially disappointed for our student-athletes,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “The health and well-being of our entire conference community is an ongoing priority for the SEC as we continue to monitor developments and information about the COVID-19 virus.”"

Additionally, all practices — whether mandatory or optional — are suspended until at least April 15.

In a letter to fans on March 12, Florida athletics director Scott Stricklin said student-athletes were encouraged to leave campus and continue their studies online.

https://twitter.com/FloridaGators/status/1238583417266003969

"“While athletics is centered around competition, it is imperative that we address this issue through a community lens and do whatever is best to reduce the risk of exposure and spread of coronavirus,” Stricklin said."

Last week the NCAA canceled the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournament as well as all other competitions for the winter season.

This final closure brings about a tough pill to swallow for fans, but more importantly for student-athletes.

While Florida basketball will miss a shot at an SEC basketball title or a run in the NCAA tournament, Florida baseball and softball leave behind what could have been magical seasons.

Florida baseball was off to one of its best starts in program history, rattling off 16 straight wins before a loss to Florida State. They were the last undefeated team in Division I baseball.

Florida softball mounted an impressive start to the season — winning 11 in a row before a tough 5-4 defeat to No. 1 UCLA. The Gators opened SEC play at 3-0 after a series sweep of Auburn.

It’s a rough way to end the season. It’s going to be a long off-season before fall sports get back to any action.

Next. Let's simulate the NCAA tournament anyway. dark

But Florida athletics fans will get through it together.

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