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Lost Seasons
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2020-02-14
The End to my High School Track Career
It was Valentines Day this year and I just got out of school and was prepped for my last race for my high school track season indoors. I was shocked that my coach gave my teammates and I the opportunity to run at Reggie one last time as we were barely qualified to run the 4x800. Distance running wasn’t something that I could describe as being experienced in however I was deeply invested in the sport as my diet, my routine and how I functioned daily was a mere resultant of it being in my life. At the time I knew a little about COVID seeing how it began to affect New York the most and how Massachusetts has seen a couple sightings of it as well starting to see some cases arise in the Boston area and throughout the state in general. Once my team got to Boston, the meet shortly started and I knew that I had a couple hours to chill around and get myself into the mindset of running well and quickly in my event. I finished my homework and I proceeded to look around the center with my friends just chatting and laughing like normal teenagers would do to pass the time. I got to see one of my best friends beat his personal best in the 1000 meter by large chunks of seconds and I knew that this would be the start of a positive day in the realm of Tewksbury running. My other best friend was able to run under 10 minutes in the 2 mile as he was qualified to get a medal for beating out the last Billerica kid that was in his way(in Track, there was some tension between my town and Billerica due to the proximity of the towns and the competition that they had). After bolstering enough energy to yell at them, I got my opportunity to run. Even though my race was short lived and I was put in a negative mindset for how poor I ran the race and wasn’t happy with my time, I was able to goof off and hype up my other teammates who absolutely killed it in their races. The sad part of it all was how I told myself that in spring I would be able to crush my current personal best in the 800 meter with ease by training. Too bad I wasn’t informed then that my highschool career for track ended there. In April, I reached out to the coach of Suffolk University to talk about my passion for the sport and how I wanted to continue my journey in improving my ability to race hard. Once I heard back from him and got the “ok”, I was pumped and excited because now I know that I can train my heart out for a sport that I love and see myself grow slowly over time. Some of the positives though were short lived as it hit me like a truck when I found out that I had posterior tibial tendonitis in my left ankle. At first glance, an injury such as this seems measly small and could be healed with proper assistance due to icing and stretching but this is my second time getting this type of tendonitis in the same ankle and it took me a little over two months to heal before running again. An added wound to this scar was the fact that I couldn’t cross train in some sort of practice area where I normally can be injured with having the comfort of other individuals surrounding me to forget that I ever got injured in the first place. Running by yourself is a mental obstacle for runners during the pandemic as they need to adapt to now mainly listening to their own footsteps. Being injured at home left me with the image that my teammates are progressing through the summer making the best of this situation and improving as distance runners while I had to chill at home and maybe substitute my daily run for a little more strength. A constant seventy days of that took a toll out of me as that was really the one excuse I can tell my parents to let me get out of the house for a bit. During quarantine and my time off, all I wanted was to goof off again with my friends as we question certain people who may be looking at us funny when we run or decide to run in the trails with nearly getting ourselves hurt. The copious amount of games of spikeball after a practice and the dinners right after runs were drilling right through my mind as the months of May through early July hit. Running is a great stress reliever for me and with the addition of being around people who adore the sport as much as myself, it feels like a second home that I could be myself and be able to progress well in. It made me look back on this Valentines Day and repeat to myself that I took some things for granted which were my passion for the sport in the atmosphere of having other people who love it as much as me and the time spent in general. -
0018-03-18
"COVID took one of the most important things in my live" by Alfredo Serrano
Soccer has always been a huge part of my life. Soccer has been one of the most important (if not the most) things in my life, not only has taught me a big majority of my values and has opened the gates of college for me. After the outbreak of COVID-19, I was forced to come back to Spain, my native country. Leaving in the middle of Spring season left me a feeling of sadness and emptiness... But that was not the worst thing no, the worst thing was not being able to play soccer for five months straight. COVID has taken away what soccer represented for me, and I couldn't be more excited to play again in a couple of weeks... I'm truly nervous. -
2020-07-12
Pennsylvania's Halt on Extracurriculars
When the coronavirus first started, online learning seemed like it could be fun in the interim. Working from home, avoiding a commute, and dressing less informal all were wonderful treats the first two weeks; as the quarantine and education questions stretched on, these same treats are now driving educators insane. In Pennsylvania, these concerns over reopening have led to voluntary halts on some of the most important social aspects of high school: sports and extracurriculars. This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #schools. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because is reflective of a general mood of uncertainty that is present around almost all aspects related to schools reopening. Link to tagged article: (https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/schools-suspend-sports-due-to-health-concerns/523-1dd67802-ac20-49a2-b0e3-f4a54f43b45d) -
2020-07-11
Pickleball Tournaments Lost
Athletes at all levels have lost seasons as the pandemic has swept across the globe. For professional athletes in emerging sports, such as pickleball, the challenges must be immense. As an avid pickleballer, I've watched as tournament after tournament get canceled and the sport's forums (such as the Pickleball Forum on Facebook) have become sites of controversy as some counsel not playing while others deny the crisis altogether. Lost in that space, though, are the really personal challenges that so many athletes face, including professionals who are defining the future of the game. Steve Deakin, one of the top men's players in the world, posted this evocative statement to the Pickleball Forum on Facebook about the gradual loss of the 2020 pickleball season; with 223 likes, 74 comments, and 5 shares in its first two hours, Deakin's post clearly struck a nerve within the pickleball community. "I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to the PB community. Please read this to the end if you can spare a couple of minutes today.....As you may or may not know, I took the plunge to pursue PB full time late last year. This was the best move I have ever made. It was scary and exciting all at the same time. I left a job that was secure to pursue what I loved to do. My business/brand was gaining incredible traction and then boom...COVID. My tournament earnings dried up, sponsors pulled back support, my clinics/camps cancelled as "lockdowns" were implemented in Canada. I was livid. I truly believed at that time this was a glorified flu and I asked myself "Why is the Canadian Government taking such drastic action?" I have never seen anything like this in my entire life. I took the time while I was in this "lockdown" to educate myself as my common sense told me something is not right here. There has to be a reason why our Federal Government is taking such drastic action by literally shutting our country down? Well, there is a reason. It's called a Global Pandemic. This is real and it is not a "hoax". The country where I am proud to call home, united as one (regardless of the political differences), and started this battle against COVID-19 together. It was not easy and we continue to adjust our lives today. Whether it be by wearing a mask, not gathering in large groups, or social/physical distancing, the majority of Canadians took it on the chin and did what was asked of us. I feel strongly we are in a great spot today because of these actions. Businesses are reopening safely, new cases are minimal, and most importantly, the deaths related to this virus are starting to dry up. The message here folks in unity. Not division. I have many friends down south in the US that I truly miss. I love this sport. I love the competition. I love the fans. I know I am not alone on this. However, what is currently happening in the US is tragic on so many levels. Trust me, I understand the importance of getting back to work and reopening/rebuilding an economy. As a new small business owner impacted by these shutdowns paired with slow, phased re-openings, I get it. It has been tough. On the other hand, I understand everyone's circumstances can be very different. What we all share though unfortunately (literally) is this virus. I know what I am going to say next may not be popular with everyone in the PB community but it needs to be said by a player that uses this sport as a source of income. Running tournaments in hot spot states in particular with multiple hundreds of registrants is just not necessary right now as cases soar and people die. I cancelled my tournament schedule for July and August to protect my Dad, my Mom, my wife, my kids, and my friends from this virus. This decision was easy for me. There is no amount of prize money and personal brand exposure that can replace them. I want nothing more than my friends in the US to band together and get healthy. We will eventually all get back on the courts safely and responsibly together. Now is just not the time for me. I appreciate every one of you that took the time to read this whether you agree with me or not. I will always respect your opinions on this subject. It's an extremely tricky one for sure. Stay safe and stay healthy." -
2020-06-22
Sharks and Santa Clara County Host Free COVID-19 Testing at SAP Center
The San Jose Sharks teamed up with local community organizations to encourage COVID-19 testing at SAP Center at San Jose. Individuals who came in to get tested received free San Jose Sharks or San Jose Barracuda memorabilia. -
2020-06-29
San Jose Sharks COVID-19 Social Media Campaign - Goalies
Photograph collage showing San Jose Sharks goaltenders Martin Jones, Evgeni Nabokov, and Brian Hayward wearing goalie masks, along with three face masks. This photograph was posted on San Jose Sharks social media channels with the caption, "Our favorite masks 😍." -
2020-07-06
San Jose Sharks COVID-19 Social Media Campaign - Brent Burns
Edited photograph showing San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns wearing a mask while celebrating a goal. This photograph was posted on San Jose Sharks social media channels with the caption, "Stop the spread. Stay stick-feet apart." -
2020-06-08
No State, No Regionals
My daughter was having the gymnastics season of her life in 2020, placing in every event at every meet, and even reaching #19 on America’s Top 100 for vault for her level. One of the last places we went before quarantine in March was a gymnastics competition and I remember being uneasy at the crowds and the fact that the girls used the same apparatuses and equipment throughout the day. No one else seemed concerned, and when I asked if State Championships were still happening, everyone looked at me like I was insane. Of course, two weeks later, everything shut down. She has now been away from gym for over three months - the longest she’s been without her coaches since she was 3 - and both State Championships and Regionals were cancelled. No word on whether there will even be a 2021 season. To keep up the morale of the team, her gym sent information about a virtual State Championship, where gymnastics could submit videos from previous meets and judges would watch and score. I submitted without telling her, because I wasn’t sure what to expect. When she received medals and a champion t-shirt in the mail because she scored 1st All Around for her level (first in every event) she looked happier than she has since quarantine began. It’s not USA Gymnastics sanctioned, so it doesn’t “count,” but to my daughter, it is as real as any in person meet and was exactly what she needed to have closure to what had been an amazing season. We don’t know when she’ll go back - her gym opened three weeks ago, but with numbers rising dramatically in our area, the risk isn’t worth it for us. Competitions are fun, and my daughter loves her sport and is extremely dedicated, but a healthy and alive daughter is way more important to us than medals in a coffin. -
2020-05-26
Social Distancing Half Marathon
I was supposed to attend the Bend Half Marathon last April in Oregon, until the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the event. The Bend Half Marathon decided to host a virtual half marathon. It sent me a Social Distance Edition Half Marathon run bib. After I submitted my run results, the marathon mailed me a wooden medal. -
2020-06-11
Changing Times for Athletes and Fans
The social distancing rules enforced to slow the spread of the coronavirus has many negative externalities associated with it. For myself and many others alike, sports have and always will be an outlet from the daily stresses of work and life. Fans, players, coaches, and everyone associated with professional and recreational athletics has been heavily effected in these current times. Losing athletics not only hurts in a mental sense but also in a financial way as well. It was said by ESPN that approximations suggest a total 12 billion dollar loss due to the suspension of sports. Professional athletes have been renegotiating contracts now and the structure of the games have been changed greatly. Being stuck inside seemed alright at first but without live entertainment or the ability to go out and exercise, time seems to move slower and slower in a period that everyone is seeking a way out of. -
2020-03-19
Drone footage over Boston
t feels like the streets of Boston haven’t been this empty since the cows (apocryphally) laid out the paths centuries ago. Aram Boghosian, a regular freelance photographer and videographer for the Boston Globe, shot aerial video with a drone over several Boston hotspots on Monday and Tuesday. On a normal weekday afternoon, the city bustles with workers and tourists and commuters alike. But in the footage, the city sits nearly empty. It’s a ghost of what it was just a week ago, before Gov. Charlie Baker banned gatherings of over 25 people, established tight restrictions on stores and restaurants, and closed the schools in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Newbury Street and Faneuil Hall Marketplace are nearly devoid of shoppers. The seagulls on Summer Street seem to outnumber the pedestrians. Traffic is breezy in and out of the city, and an empty Fenway Park won’t see a pitch anytime soon. Only a handful of people walk and bike across Boston Common, which hosted a rally of over 13,000 densely packed people less than three weeks ago. It seems unimaginable now *Drone footage of Boston during quarantine -
05/09/2020
High School Baseball cut short!
High School Senior, High School Coach and Freshman showing appreciation for High School Senior for their contribution to the school and baseball program. The season a was cut short due to Pandamic. ##cshsecon -
2020-05-07
COVID-19: The End of Freshman Year
My name is Griffin, and I am currently a freshman at the University of Arizona. The Coronavirus outbreak definitely changed my life. I was on 2020 spring break in California, following the Western Collegiate Roller Hockey League Playoffs, and after a week of playing hockey and going to the beaches in California, I received an email; school was going to be online for the rest of the semester. I went back to campus, packed up my things, and headed home to Prescott, Arizona. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was sad to leave. I was leaving my new friends, my dorm, and my freshman experience behind. I hadn’t lived at home in months, since before the summer, so it was a weird transition. I felt like I was back in high school. As classes transferred to online, it seemed like the workload increased. Maybe it was because I was sleeping more and had less time, or maybe teachers just felt like they needed to increase the rigor. Either way, online classes were hard, but manageable. However, I definitely preferred in person classes. There were many disappointments with the outbreak. My hockey team received a bid to attend the national tournament in Florida, and we were planning our trip, but it was cancelled. I also had summer plans cancelled. I had a three week study abroad trip planned to China, which was canceled for obvious reasons. I also had a few job interviews for summer internships, but all the companies told me they were no longer hiring because of the outbreak. Now, I’m still unsure what I’ll be doing this summer. Luckily, I’ve been safe up in Prescott. My region has been relatively unaffected, with only about 100 cases of Coronavirus reported in my county. It’s one of the few perks of living in a small county. I still don’t know anyone who has been infected, but I hope it stays that way. For now, I’m just trying to stay healthy, and I’m hoping life can get back to normal. I want to be able to return to school, play hockey, and get a job. Hopefully all this can happen. I’m disappointed my freshman year ended so abruptly, but I’m grateful to be healthy. -
2020-03-16
Into the Wild Competitive Trail Run Cancellation
Into the WIld OC Trail runs was planning to hold their first race of season as late as March 14. However, with the closure of public parking lots and trails on March 16 by OC Parks, and inability to social distance on narrow trails, the race was postponed indefinitely. -
2020-04-23
“Porch”rait Photo
One of the things I love to do is travel so in 2018 I created a vacation board of the places I’d like to travel to over the next 5 years. Well, COVID-19 changed my plans for 2020. #REL101 -
2020-03-16
A season cut short, Suffolk seniors reflect on their love of sport
The Suffolk Journal, Suffolk University's student run newspaper, reports on Suffolk's sports during the pandemic. -
2020-03-19
When sports stood still
The Suffolk Journal, Suffolk University's student run newspaper, reports on lack of pro sports during the pandemic. -
2020-03-16
USA Gymnastics Cancellation Announcement Email
By March 2020, with the spreading of COVID-19, athletics felt the impact. USA Gymnastics opted to cancel all meets, including State and Regional Championships through, at least, May 2020. -
2020-04-22
Competitive Gymnastics At Home Workout
My daughter, age 9, does conditioning with her gymnastics team over Zoom, as USA Gymnastics has canceled meets indefinitely and the local gyms have closed. -
2020-04-02
Boston Red Sox Opening Day Post
Tweet from Boston Red Sox, celebrating what would would have been Opening Day at Fenway. -
2020-03-26
Sports Betting on Madden SImulations
With live sports cancelled, sports betting companies have begun running live-streamed simulations using popular sports video games. People can tune in to watch and gamble on the game, just as they did with live sports -
2020-03-24
My Quarantined Life
This piece by Sydney Jones provides the reader with a glimpse into her daily life, and how the 2020 pandemic has changed her daily routines, habits, and inclinations. Sydney includes personal thoughts from her family and herself, including: the contracting economy, grocery store policies and panic-buying, her competitive role in sports and college, as well as many other changes that have occurred her local community. Sydney's story highlights many continuities and changes in her social and personal life. An important notion brought up throughout is Sydney's family "staying true" and strong during the pandemic. [added by curator] -
2020-03-17
Public Entertainment (such as Walt Disney World & sporting event stadiums) closed due to COVID 19
Public entertainment sites such as Walt Disney World (see picture) have closed due to COVID 19. Additionally, college and professional sports have cancelled or postponed games. At the beginning of the virus teams continued to play but without fans in the stadium. Now sporting events have either been cancelled or postponed including professional teams such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB). College sports have also been cancelled such as the Big East Tournament and March Madness for college basketball. -
2020-03-17
Cancelled Baseball Game
Due to COVID-19 athletic events in schools were cancelled. Additionally county events such as FFA, PAL Softball, Little League Baseball, School Concerts, and Youth Soccer were also cancelled. Despite this reminders of scheduled events remained visabl.e -
2020-03-12
Sad Mascot finding out the game was cancelled
St. John’s was playing Creighton in the Big East Men Basketball Tournament at the Madison Square Garden until the game was cancelled during halftime due to Coronavirus concerns. There were no fans in stands due to Coronavirus concerns. Right after the announcement FOX Sports cameras captured the St. John’s mascot Johnny Thunderbird sitting on the empty stands. The Big East tournament was also cancelled right after the cancellation of the game due to the Coronavirus.