The HBCU World Series presented by Hank Aaron Sports Academy at Smith Wills Stadium has been canceled.

The news comes from promoter BCSG 360, the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community, after Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions Norfolk State University bowed out of the games.

“Norfolk State University opted not to participate based on the risk associated with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said a press release from BCSG360. “Melody Webb, Athletic Director at Norfolk State University, expressed her appreciation in the invitation and under normal circumstances would welcome the opportunity to represent her conference in the event.”

MEAC champs Norfolk State would have taken on SWAC champs Southern University in a best two-out-of-three series at Smith Wills Stadium May 28-30, a series that fell on the weekend between conference championships and next weekend’s NCAA tournaments.

“BCSG 360 respects and supports the decision of Melody Webb and Norfolk State University,” the release went on to say. “We would like to thank the City of Jackson, Visit Jackson, Tim Bennett and the Hank Aaron Sports Academy, BlackCollegeNines.com, youth of Jackson, HBCU alumni and fans and so many other sponsors & strategic partners for their hard work and effort to make this event so appealing to HBCU baseball fans across the country.”

The HBCU World Series is now being planned for 2022.