In the midst of the pandemic, nothing seems certain anymore. Events of all kinds are still being canceled or postponed, and athletic events are no exception. Many schools and organizations have no idea when another game will be played.
Union University, a member of the Gulf South Conference (GSC), is not exempt. Leaders at Union and in the GSC have been working to get athletes back in action, but decisions have been made cautiously in order to make sure athletes, coaches and spectators are put in the safest environments possible.
One of these decisions was to postpone the majority of fall sports until at least Jan. 1. The postponed sports include volleyball, soccer and basketball due to the high contact nature of those sports. Union’s golf and cross-country teams are allowed to compete because of the lack of physical contact.
All of Union’s athletes have been tested for the coronavirus. Getting these results back is one of the next steps in the process of returning to practices and competitions. However, even with the results, uncertainty still exists.
This uncertainty is weighing on the hearts and minds of many athletes across campus. Many have been continually working hard to prepare for a season that everyone hopes comes sooner rather than later.
Emily Calhoon, sophomore volleyball player and applied linguistics major, is one of these athletes.
“A lot of [my teammates and I have] been preparing all summer, whether that was in the weight room or on the volleyball court,” Calhoon said. “We’d been really trying to work hard, and then just to hear the news that we weren’t going to have [the season] was definitely very disappointing.”
Coaches are also feeling the weight of the uncertainty. They are trying to find ways to stay connected to their athletes even though there are no practices or games going on at the moment. Sean Blackburn, assistant coach for the men’s basketball team, definitely misses seeing his players.
“Me and Easton Bazzoli (also an assistant coach to the men’s basketball team) were talking and we were just like, ‘the office is kind of lonely,’” said Blackburn, “The guys aren’t coming by as much because, you know, we’re not practicing, and [because of that] we don’t see them as much.”
However, even through the disappointment, both Calhoon and Blackburn still see positives. Calhoon has been able to spend time with her teammates and grow with them in Christ.
“It’s awesome to be an encouragement to one another, and just look towards the Lord during this,” Calhoon said.
Blackburn also sees this as a time to trust in the Lord.
“It’s definitely like a good time to really stay grounded in the Word,” said Blackburn.
Ultimately, both athletes and coaches are looking forward to being back in action.
“Whenever the next time on that court is, we’re gonna be ready,” said Calhoon.
Photo by Union Photo Project
