By Nathan Solomon, Contributing Writer
Throughout the later part of summer, St. Bonaventure University student-athletes began to repopulate campus after being abruptly sent home in March due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, in order to return, athletes would have to be committed to following protocols, even after a summer at home.
“Two weeks prior to [student-athletes] coming here on campus, we asked them to quarantine at home,” said St. Bonaventure athletic director Tim Kenney. “That didn’t mean that they had to lock themselves in a room or anything, but just stay within the bubble you’ve been”.
Athletes were also required to test negative for COVID-19 prior to arriving on campus, as well as upon arrival in Olean.
“[On campus], they had their physicals, [and] they get trained as to what protocols they have to follow,” said Kenney. “They have to fill out their app in the morning that fills out the symptoms, so we had to train everybody because it’s different. Athletes are creatures of habit and are used to routines; this was changing up their normal routines”.
After athletes learned the responsibilities they held on campus and passed their physicals and COVID-19 tests, they were allowed to begin athletic activity. However, Kenney didn’t want his athletes to go into full-fledged practice mode right away.
“First and foremost was really conditioning of the bodies because they really haven’t had the opportunity to work out like they’re normally used to since March,” said Kenney. “If [athletes] get an injury right now because we do something too quick, that injury is gonna last throughout the year…. they’re easing them in”.
Once players get back into shape, the athletic department will allow for teams to go into more normal practices.
Now that classes are back in session and the remaining student body has returned to campus, Kenney has some high expectations for his athletes this fall.
“One of the things we’ve been trying to instill in them is that leadership extends well beyond the playing field, the court, the pool,” he said. “You have to be leaders to show that this is how you do the right stuff for this campus. We’ve been trying to reinforce that as well with them, and get them to realize that people look at you,”
Kenney added that he expects his athletes to “lead by example” while on campus. Otherwise, the athletic department expects what the university expects out of the remaining students, which includes: wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands, and limiting close contacts.
Although the university has confirmed only two cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of August, Kenney knows that everyone can’t let their guard down.
“We can’t be naïve to think it’s not going to sneak in onto campus,” he said. “If you choose not to follow [guidelines] or choose to do something that jeopardizes everything that is going on here, then this whole thing could just have to shut down”.
The university and the Athletic Department’s plans were long and thought out; so far, it seems to be working.
“It gave the kids a plan, and they saw where the light was at the end of the tunnel,” said Kenney.
For students to remain on campus the entire semester, Kenney knows that it will take a lot of work and effort.
“It’s going to take everyone on this campus, not just athletics, to make this semester a success,” he said. “So far, we feel really good about it, but we can’t let up.”
solomonj20@bonaventure.edu
