3 minute read
COVID-19 vs. Athletics
The Long Beach State University athletics department discuss their COVID-19 challenges they battled to return to competition.
by Cain Hernandez
Dirtbags pitcher Devereaux Harrison, as photographed before the pandemic.
PHOTO BY CAIN HERNANDEZ
The return to Long Beach State University athletics competing has been a long journey for both athletes and administration.
Competing sports teams at the Beach first had to receive clearance from various local health departments. Unlike other Division I schools in Los Angeles County, LBSU had to seek approval from the Long Beach City health department, another hurdle to putting sports back in action.
“I think the biggest challenge has been trying to coordinate so many moving parts,” LBSU Athletics Director Andy Fee said. “We’ve been able to do it, [but] it’s taken a little bit longer for us, compared to other universities. At the end of the day, we get to compete here for spring sports.”
Part of the athletic department’s rigorous safety protocols is mandating all staff and athletes test for COVID-19 three times a week on campus.
On Monday, members of the athletic department are given an antigen test, followed by a PCR test, which stands for polymerase chain reaction, on Wednesday.
The final swab is given on Friday, another antigen test. For athletes, preparing for this spring season was unlike any other year. Before receiving the green light to proceed, students were training in the offseason for a season that they were unsure was going to happen.
Head Baseball Coach Eric Valenzuela mentioned to his team, LBSU Dirtbags, that last summer would prepare them for professional baseball.
Valenzuela meant that the baseball team would be on their own in regards to training, with no coaches instructing them on what workouts to do. It was up to them to be prepared when the 2021 season began.
“It’s just hard because you feel like you could possibly be doing this for nothing,” Dirtbags pitcher, sophomore Devereaux Harrison said. “We didn’t know if we were going to come back. It’s like I’m doing all this work and possibly for no reason.” For the baseball team, they have strict procedures they must follow to keep the team safe and the season alive.
Only 14 players can be in the dugout at one time and players must be spaced out during team meetings. Players are also prohibited from physical contact, even if it’s just a fist bump or high-five of encouragement.
Track and Field athlete Sydney Barnes, as photographed before the pandemic.
PHOTO BY CAIN HERNANDEZ
For senior Track and Field athlete Sydney Barnes, she had trained all summer with the expectation she would return to the track in August. When the fall sports season was cancelled, she eventually arrived back on campus in February.
“I didn’t believe it,” Barnes said. “I was like, ‘they’re going to say this now, then pull the plug ten days later.’ I had a lot of anxiety about it because I didn’t want to get sick.”
Before the athletes were allowed back on campus, they had to fill out a pre-screen survey asking if they felt any symptoms or whether they’ve been exposed to anybody with COVID-19.
Once they filled out the survey, they received clearance to check their temperature with a medical professional. For track meets, the athletes have to stay within their event groups.
Sprinters, jumpers, and throwers all must stay in the pods to avoid close contact with other athletes.
“We can’t watch our teammates compete because they have us all in a back area,” Barnes said. “You go do your event and you come off the field and are stuck in your team area.”
While there are many restrictions and procedures for athletes this spring, Fee hopes once the fall sports season comes around, those protocols ease.
“At this point right now, we’re planning on having those sports up and running by August,” Fee said. “I think we’ll still be testing [and] I think we’ll still be wearing masks trying to keep people healthy.”
