The Southwest Preparatory Conference is canceling spring sports seasons at its 17 member schools because of the COVID-19 crisis, according to a statement from the SPC board of directors posted to the SPC Sports website and twitter Friday afternoon.

“After exhausting all possible avenues to potentially postpone and reschedule a modified spring conference tournament, the Board of Directors of the Southwest Preparatory Conference unanimously decided to cancel all Southwest Preparatory Conference athletic competitions for the entire spring season,” said a letter signed by SPC Chair Jon Kellam and Commissioner Bob Windham. “We are all saddened that circumstances warrant these actions but realize we are doing what is in the best interest of the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and fans.”

The SPC had earlier announced a suspension of all spring sports until April 13.

“It’s heartbreaking that I will never get to play the game again, and compete every day with my best friends,” said senior boys varsity baseball team captain Preston Bulban.

Greenhill suspended classes on March 12, the day before the beginning of spring break and the day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a COVID-19 pandemic.

Head of School Lee Hark initially announced that Greenhill students would not be returning to campus until April 6 at the earliest. Students began distance-learning classes on March 25. Two days later, Hark announced that online classes would continue at least until April 10. Then, on April 1, Hark sent out a statement extending the remote learning program till May 4.

On April 2, the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide topped 1,000,000, with more than 53,000 deaths. The United States has reported more than 245,000 cases and 6,075 deaths as of this date.