By Rylee Hehir, contributing writer, women’s softball
If you would have told me at the start of my freshman year my collegiate softball career would be cut short due to a pandemic, I would have thought you were crazy.
However, that is exactly how it happened.
I never thought my last collegiate games in a St. Bonaventure uniform were going to be played in Florida two weeks ago. Entering the spring semester, I was eager to get outside and start playing; I was prepared to leave everything on the field in order to lead my team to the A10 tournament in May. I was excited to play my last year with my best friends and make lifelong memories. Unfortunately, this is something I will not be able to experience.
March 12 is a day which changed thousands of lives across the country. As painful as this process may be, I do believe that it was the correct call by the NCAA to cancel spring sports this year. The safety and health concerns of athletes, coaches and spectators is important especially because of the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. This virus is putting the entire world on pause. Since the containment of this virus relies heavily on social distancing, I think this is the best way the NCAA as a whole can contribute to the community effort expected of all people in our country at this time.
Believe me when I say I would do anything to play my final season in a Bonnies uniform, but at the end of the day staying healthy is a priority because if myself or any of my teammates are ill, there is no softball.
The NCAA deliberated different options that could have been carried out to avoid cancelling the season, such as playing without spectators. Personally, I would not have wanted this outcome. Playing at any venue, especially Joyce Field without a crowd would not have the same energy. The fans are part of the game. The same applies to March Madness. The fans are large part of why teams play at their best. We know this feeling all too well when our basketball team plays in the RC; it truly is the hardest venue to play at in the A10 because of the fan presence.
It is gut wrenching this is how thousands of athletes’ careers were ended in a matter of seconds. Athletes who have dreamed their entire lives of bringing home a national championship for their school are shattered. No championships will be played for this year, after the blood, sweat and tears all athletes have poured into their training. It truly shows all athletes across the NCAA, Division I through Division III have a special relationship. We are a family, all chasing the same dream.
I hope the NCAA grants athletes a redshirt year because of this mess, because every athlete should get the opportunity to finish their career. If this is the case, I plan on finishing my career in graduate school. It will not be the same without my best friends by my side, but if I am given the opportunity to finish what I started, I will.
My heart goes out to all the athletes, coaches, and parents during this time. But we will get through this together.
hehirrg17@bonaventure.edu
