{"id":11054,"date":"2021-02-22T20:19:59","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T20:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/?p=11054"},"modified":"2025-06-10T14:27:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T14:27:36","slug":"auggie-student-athletes-resilience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/2021\/02\/22\/auggie-student-athletes-resilience\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay the course: Off-and-on sports seasons prove Auggie student-athletes\u2019 resilience"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The COVID-19 pandemic put a major pause on 2020\u2019s athletic competitions. The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postponed the fall sports season<\/a>. In January the league announced plans for a modified winter season<\/a> for basketball, hockey, indoor track and field, and swimming and diving (though it’s not officially part of the MIAC, wrestling will follow the same guidelines). Auggies can\u2019t wait to get back in the game.<\/p>\n

Many student-athletes have been practicing their sports since elementary school. During the past year, the pandemic disrupted participation in activities that have been important to their lives. But Augsburg\u2019s Athletics staff and student-athletes have met this challenge with a commitment to the health and safety of the community. This willingness to put safety first means that student-athletes are now able to compete.<\/p>\n

In order for student-athletes to participate in sports this year, the NCAA created rules designed to promote safety. Augsburg Athletics<\/a> also made sure that strong safety measures were in place, which has helped students feel a bit more at ease during an anxious time.<\/p>\n

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\"Head
Devon Hannah \u201921<\/strong> (Courtesy photo)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Devon Hannah \u201921<\/b><\/a>, a guard on the men\u2019s basketball team, said, \u201cWe have the freedom to decide whether or not we feel comfortable with an activity. The Athletics Department is handling this well, keeping us safe physically and mentally, too.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Coaches play an important role in student-athletes\u2019 lives, which means they are often among the first people to learn when a student receives a positive COVID-19 test result. This means that they are not only helping students develop skills in their sport; they are also watching out for the safety of their team.<\/p>\n

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\"Head
Corrina Evans \u201921<\/strong> (Courtesy photo)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Corrina Evans \u201921<\/b><\/a>, a middle blocker on the women\u2019s volleyball team, said, \u201cThe coaches and trainers are sharing campus resources like the Center for Wellness and Counseling. They have check-in times when we can talk about anything, and they will call or text us: doing contact tracing, helping us understand how to quarantine correctly if we have to do that, and making sure we have everything we need.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Changes to practice and competition<\/h3>\n

Even with precautionary measures in place, there are times when teams have to pause their practice, whether a teammate tested positive for COVID-19 or a rising number of cases in Minnesota required universities to temporarily close workout and sports facilities, which occurred in the fall and early winter.[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Read more about Auggies fighting the pandemic.” i_align=”right” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-arrow-circle-right” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.augsburg.edu%2Fnow%2F2021%2F02%2F22%2Ffight-a-pandemic-part-1%2F|||”][vc_column_text]When they\u2019re able to practice, Augsburg\u2019s student-athletes gather in pods that have gradually increased in size as they were safely able to do so. While the smallest pods have allowed students to practice their sports safely and to control the spread of the virus, they\u2019ve also presented a challenge. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to get to know each other and to gel as a team,\u201d Hannah said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPractices are very different,\u201d said Evans. \u201cYou can\u2019t see people\u2019s faces because of the masks. But we\u2019ve been able to move up into bigger pods, which gives us a more normal team chemistry and allows us to have a full team practice and do some scrimmaging. The challenges are more mental than physical.\u201d<\/p>\n

In early January, the MIAC gave teams the go-ahead to compete again, although competitions are limited and spectators are not allowed. (Augsburg has offered free livestream viewing for all home events and some road events<\/a>.) Students in sports that present a higher risk for COVID-19 transmission must get tested three times each week in order to practice and compete\u2014measures well worth it for eager players and coaches. \u201cIt\u2019s exciting to be able to get back to playing and feel in the groove again,\u201d said Colleen Enrico \u201914<\/b>, assistant athletic director, volleyball assistant coach, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\"Coach
Melissa Lee \u201904<\/strong> (left), assistant athletic director and softball head coach, leads softball practice in Augsburg’s dome in February 2021. (Photo by Courtney Perry)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Prioritizing mental health<\/h3>\n

Augsburg Athletics had already begun addressing the mental health of student-athletes before the pandemic. In the summer of 2019, all coaches and staff took an eight-hour course in mental health first aid, which can provide support for student-athletes and coaches until they can speak with mental health professionals.<\/p>\n

Mark Wick<\/b>, men\u2019s hockey assistant coach, has recently taken on new, temporary duties at Augsburg as he sets up a mental health advocacy program for Augsburg Athletics. \u201cWe need to know how to deal with what is happening now, but in five to 10 years, people still will be dealing with losing jobs or loved ones,\u201d Wick said. \u201cHopefully it won\u2019t be as bad as it is now, but how we use this time can help prepare us for growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and @AugsburgU<\/a> Assistant Hockey Coach @coachwick23<\/a> will hold a golf tournament to raise awareness, as this subject is very personal to him. \u201cIt\u2019s OK to reach out and ask for help,\u201d Wick told @WCCO<\/a>. https:\/\/t.co\/ITIJdS9Fyx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Augsburg University (@AugsburgU) September 29, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n