Scott Powers
Florida State alum and Seminoles fan Rep. Charlie Crist is urging the NCAA to not give up entirely on March Madness.
Perhaps it could be May Madness. Or August Insanity.
Bottom line: while Crist said shutting down collegiate sports including the NCAA men’s and women’s “March Madness” college basketball tournaments over coronavirus concerns was both “prudent and fully-justified,” he’d like to see Florida State, at least the fourth-ranked men’s team, given a shot at the crown.
On Thursday, the NCAA announced the tournament’s cancellation due to the spread of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, of which there have been over 2,200 confirmed cases in the U.S. and more than 50 confirmed deaths.
Crist, a St. Petersburg Democrat, said he supported that decision to protect players and fans.
Still, he sent a letter to NCAA President Mark Emmert, asking that the organization remain open-minded about holding a full or modified version of the men and women’s March Madness collegiate basketball tournament once the public health risks surrounding the novel coronavirus subside.
“As a Florida State University alumnus and fan, I have enjoyed the extraordinary women’s and men’s basketball seasons. The men’s team in particular is having one of their greatest seasons ever – earning their first ACC regular season championship, ranked number four in the nation. For Seminole nation, it is a bittersweet moment,” Crist wrote.
“To that end, I would ask that you remain open-minded on holding at least some version of March Madness if and when the public health risk subsides. Not just because of my personal interest in the success of my beloved Seminoles, but because of how popular the tournament is by millions of Americans,” he continued. “We need something to cheer for, quite frankly, in these uncertain times.”
He probably could get support for that proposal from the fans of the University of Kansas, Gonzaga University and the University of Dayton, which are ranked first, second and third.
“I suspect many of the kids and coaches who have poured their hearts and souls into this season would also gladly welcome the chance to compete for their one shining moment,” Crist argued.
2 comments
Pamela Malpass
March 16, 2020 at 11:52 am
Tell Charlie Christ that eight teams from the Big Ten ( the best conference in the country) could beat FSU. We knocked FSU out of the tournament in 2018.
GO BLUE
Ed
March 16, 2020 at 12:10 pm
I guess he has nothing better to do. How about proposing a bill to fix out roads. How about listing to the people who voted you into office. Do you job or get out!!!
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