IOWA CITY — Disappointment was the key word spoken by several University of Iowa coaches upon hearing that all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships would be canceled.

Tom Brands, head coach for the top-ranked Hawkeye wrestling team will try to focus his team on what they did and what they can do moving forward after having dreams of a national title taken away.

The NCAA elected to make the decision in hopes of helping limit the spread of COVID-17. Along with the Div. I championships, tournaments in Div. II and Div. III have also been canceled.

“Our coaching staff is disappointed for our guys, their families and our fans,” Brands said. “I understand the Big Ten Conference and NCAA made decisions based on information available and are acting in what they believe is in the best interest of the student-athletes. We will process this and move forward, as we always do. Our guys have a lot to be proud of and much more still to accomplish.”

The move ends all conference and non-conference competition for leagues around the country through the academic year. The College World Series, played in Omaha, was also a victim of the decision.

Fran McCaffery and the Iowa men’s basketball team were scheduled to play in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday in Indianapolis. They had already earned a spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, but were looking to improve on their seeding.

“First and foremost, our prayers are with those who have been affected by the coronavirus as well as those responsible for the decisions that affect so many. Following the advice from global health professionals, the Big Ten made a very difficult, but correct decision,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of my team and this decision does not diminish everything that we have accomplished this season. While our players, coaches, and fans are all disappointed, the bigger picture of the health and well-being of everyone must be our top priority.”

On Wednesday, the NBA suspended games, but most college basketball conferences had stated they planned to push ahead with games — albeit with no fans in attendance. They were looking at moving events to smaller venues, but still had plans to play them out.

That all changed on Thursday when more and more sports put a halt to operations.

Major League Baseball said they would push back the start of the regular season and stopped all spring training games, many NFL teams sent workers home and nearly every other sport did the same.

“We fully support the actions being taken by the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA, knowing that the health, safety, and wellness of our student-athletes and staff members is the top priority,” Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said. “My heart aches for our student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff, as our spring sport seasons are cut short, especially for our seniors. I sympathize with our winter sports teams who were primed to compete at their upcoming NCAA Championship events.

“We will do everything in our power to provide our full support for everyone in Iowa athletics as we move forward through the spring semester.”

Todd Small, a former Iowa Central national champion and current Iowa State wrestler, learned earlier this week that he had been given a spot in the NCAA tournament.

“Wow, my NCAA tournament taken from me just like that,” Small posted on Twitter.