Photo courtesy of Connecticut College Athletics.
The spring 2021 semester has been considered better than the fall semester for many reasons, one of which is the prospect of athletic events returning to campus. This fall, our sailing team was one of the only teams in the NESCAC able to compete against other schools. However this spring, there are plans to bring many more regattas and other sporting events to Connecticut College. Winter sports are currently able to compete and the decision to have an official spring sports season is pending among the NESCAC presidents. On February 27 and 28, the Women’s Basketball team faced off against Babson College in Massachusetts, unfortunately losing 46-77 and 44-72. The Men’s Basketball team faced a similar defeat against Merchant Marines, losing 61-77 and 50-61. The Men’s Ice Hockey team also played Norwich on February 28th in Northfield, Vermont, losing 2-6. However, on March 6 they won in Dayton Arena winning 6-2 over Albertus Magnus.
There are new protocols that come with athletic events. In order for Conn to consider an opponent, the prospective school must have a comparatively low rate of positive COVID-19 cases on their campus. Internally, all Connecticut College athletes get tested every Monday and Thursday and will undergo rapid testing on the morning of their game. Additionally, the opposing school, their staff, and all bus drivers or other involved personnel will take a rapid test on the morning of the event for further caution.
The Conn experience in the fall was new for everyone as the College attempted to keep students safe and bring some normalcy to campus life. With this past semester under everyone’s belt, people have the gained experiences and confidence to attempt to bring back sporting events. So far this semester, Conn has a record low number of COVID cases, which could have contributed to the school’s confidence in bringing back sporting events. This has allowed winter sports such as basketball, ice hockey, and squash to compete this semester. The Women’s Ice Hockey team won 5-2 against Becker College on March 6, and the Men’s Basketball team traveled to compete against Mitchell College in New London, and the final score was 76-43.
It does not need to be pointed out that people want the pandemic to end so things can go back to normal. However, a few things may stick around. The sailing team “compete[s] every weekend for two to three days,” says Head Sailing Coach Jeffery Bresnahan. COVID has demonstrated that if regattas are scheduled more efficiently, then they can be shortened. This would give significant time back to students. In tennis, it was customary to shake hands with your opponent after a match. Head Tennis Coach Chris O’Brien thinks that “coming up with a new way to thank your opponent for a match” could be “a nice change.” Overall, athletics this spring will not be ‘back to normal,’ however, the addition of sporting events is a great step in the right direction.
