CLEVELAND — Moment by moment, it became increasingly clear that the sports world was coming to a grinding stop.
At Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Ohio and Akron players milled around the arena before a scheduled noon game in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament. Half an hour before tip, the in-arena scoreboard changed to reflect a new start time, at 1 p.m.
Minutes later, the MAC called a news conference. About 10 minutes later, the Big Ten canceled its tournament in Indianapolis. Others followed one after another.
Shortly after noon, MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher confirmed what most already suspected: The league's basketball tournaments would be canceled as a precaution against the spread of pandemic COVID-19, marking the end of the road for Bowling Green as it chased the school's first NCAA tournament berth in 52 years.
At 1 p.m., the Western Collegiate Hockey Association officially canceled the rest of its postseason as Bowling Green was set to begin a semifinal series Friday at Bemidji (Minn.) State, ending the Falcons' hockey season as well.
Later in the day, the NCAA canceled its postseason tournaments altogether.
Though better judgment and deference to medical opinion rightly won out, the news was nonetheless a crushing blow for two Bowling Green seasons that ended without the resolution of postseason results.
"Wow ... what a way to end my career. So sad," Falcons basketball senior Dylan Frye posted on Twitter. Teammate Justin Turner was even more succinct: "Man that hurt."
Like nearly all administrators, BGSU director of athletics Bob Moosbrugger was in meetings all day to determine the correct course of action, discussing all available avenues with the commissioners of both the MAC and the WCHA.
"There were conversations about, 'Do we proceed with the tournament? Do we shut it down?'" Moosbrugger said in an interview with The Blade.
However, after the NBA postponed its season Wednesday night, college conferences and the schools they represent all had come to the same conclusion by Thursday evening.
"This is bigger than basketball, this is bigger than hockey. This is a public health concern," Moosbrugger said. "I don't claim to know all facts, but I know this is serious and it should not be taken lightly. Unfortunately for the kids, they didn't get to compete for that championship and play in the postseason."
BGSU will be on its spring break next week, but the school has halted in-person classes until April 6.
Moosbrugger said Thursday afternoon that the MAC had not formally decided to cancel spring sports seasons.
BGSU president Rodney K. Rogers' office issued a statement Thursday that said, "While we share the disappointment of our student-athletes, coaches, and fans, we recognize that each of us has a responsibility for our own health, and the health of our family and friends."
In a statement, the WCHA echoed similar thoughts after the NCAA canceled the rest of the hockey season.
This year's Frozen Four originally was scheduled to be played at Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit.
“We are in support of the NCAA’s decision today, as the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans is of utmost priority," the statement read. "We are heart-broken for our student-athletes who will no longer have the opportunity to compete for a national championship.
"Many, many hours of hard work and dedication, by so many people, have been put into the season and we want to recognize and applaud each of our institutions for a tremendous 2019-20 season."
First Published March 12, 2020, 9:34 p.m.
