LSU Athletes Respond to NCAA Decision to Shut Down Spring Athletics

The sports world was rocked Thursday when the NCAA announced it'd be canceling all remaining winter and spring sports for the 2020 academic calendar.

For many it seemed an almost forgone conclusion after the NBA suspended its season Wednesday night following Rudy Gobert's positive diagnosis of the COVID-19 virus. LSU men's basketball coach Will Wade told WAFB's Jacques Doucet it was the right call by the NCAA.

"It's part of it," Wade told WAFB's Jacques Doucet. "You could kind of see it trending that way, but certainly understand the reasoning behind it. Given the information we have, it's the right call. We've got to move on. I guess we ended our season with a 30-point win so there's some positive in it.”

For seniors Skylar Mays, Marlon Taylor and Marshall Graves, the sudden end to their careers without a final postseason run is a tough pill to swallow but Wade said they can all be proud of what they accomplished in their time at LSU.

"Skylar, Marlon and Marshall have done a tremendous amount for our program, done a great job," Wade said. "We were kind of hoping to get the SEC Tournament bug off our back a little bit so to speak, and looking forward to playing in the NCAA Tournament, but certainly the health and everything else that's going on takes precedent."

Mays took to social media to post one final goodbye to the purple and gold faithful, where he will go down as one of the greats, being the only player to score 1,600 points, dish 300 assists, grab 400 rebounds and swipe 200 steals.

From Year 1️⃣ —> 4️⃣

It’s been a hell of a ride to say the least❗️Can’t put into words how much representing this university means. So thankful for all the support these last four years❗️Love my Tiger Family for life💜💛#Forever44 and #ForeverLSU pic.twitter.com/vWmbSW3vks
— Sky Mays (@skylarmays4) March 12, 2020

Teammates Javonte Smart and Trendon Watford posted their shocks on Twitter as well.

This crazy bro fr https://t.co/E6kQb333T1
— Javonte Smart (@JavonteSmart) March 12, 2020

Brothers 4L. 💜😭 pic.twitter.com/BbQe4FMUNp
— Trendon Watford (@trendonw) March 12, 2020

Along with the men's and women's basketball teams, the baseball and softball teams saw their seasons cut short before conference play could even kick into gear. There's still a chance the SEC elects to finish out the season with their tournament but no final decisions have been made and with the College World Series being canceled there isn't much of a point.

For draft eligible LSU players like pitcher Cole Henry, right fielder Daniel Cabrera and Saul Garza as well as senior Matthew Beck, the last 24 hours have been equally devastating.

Unbelievable https://t.co/7L0CPHUcDs
— Cole Henry (@Cole__Henry12) March 12, 2020

I’m at a loss of words 💔 https://t.co/EJpbaEt7OB
— Daniel Cabrera (@Daniel2cabrera) March 12, 2020

I’m just tryna ball with my bros..
— ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@SaulGarzaa12) March 12, 2020

Other players from various sports chimed in as well.

Emmitt Williams, Darius Days (LSU forwards)

"I gotta put a smile on everyone's face."@LSUBasketball @EmmittWilliams6 and the Tigers trying to stay upbeat as they prepare to return home from Nashville. https://t.co/NZ6qTQBOzQ @WAFB9Sports pic.twitter.com/SI1NheP5P4
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) March 12, 2020

Jaden Hill (LSU pitcher)

we were just about to start the fun part... https://t.co/RUFfXGMiXr
— Jaden Hill (@iam_Jaden_Hill) March 12, 2020

Drew Bianco (LSU outfielder)

So we cancel all sporting events because it’s so dangerous but I’m suppose to sit in a old ass class room with 100 people in it..... that makes sense https://t.co/l2J9qQJ7FM
— Drew Bianco (@DrewBianco8) March 12, 2020

Maribeth Gorsuch (softball pitcher)

Heartbroken. https://t.co/9dhOfDtuCc
— Maribeth Gorsuch (@MaribethGorsuch) March 13, 2020