FROM PRAGUE TO MATTOON: CHOOSING LAKE LAND WAS A HOMERUN

2020-2021 SEASON

Following guidelines established by the NJCAA this summer, all five of Lake Land College’s sports competitive seasons have been moved from the fall to the Spring 2021 semester.

This fall, each sport has established a 60-consecutive-calendar day practice and internal scrimmage schedule. Throughout the semester, athletes are participating in team and individual workouts, along with small group strength and conditioning.

“Our Return to Play Plan defines the safety protocols that will be required for all Fall 2020 athletic-related events to reduce the likelihood of student athletes being exposed to, contracting or spreading COVID-19. In addition to the college’s expectations for our student athletes to succeed in the classroom and in competition, we expect them to follow very strict protocols to protect themselves, their teammates and our college community. We want the very best for them and all look forward to the spring semester seasons,” Athletic Director Bill Jackson said.

The Laker Women’s Basketball Team will enter the spring competitive season as one of the most competitive in the nation. Prior to the pandemic outbreak, the Laker Women’s Basketball Team earned a trip to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. The tournament was unfortunately cancelled, but the team was seeded fourth in the nation, with a season record of 30-3. In addition, our own Coach Dave Johnson was named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Collegiate Co-Head Coach of the Year. FRESHMAN Cejkova-Kolaci said she most looks forward to softball, especially PLAYER scrimmages and practices. KLÁRA “Even though we don´t get to play many games this fall our CEJKOVA- scrimmages are still really good and I think that we learn a lot from KOLACI them,” Cejkova-Kolaci said. came to Lake Land College all the way from Prague, Czech Republic to play softball. Despite the safety measures in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Cejkova-Kolaci Though she does love the game, Cejkova-Kolaci said her favorite thing about playing softball at Lake Land is her teammates. said her experience is what she hoped it would be. “I liked when our coach took us freshmen to lunch and we talked “I was excited to come here,” Cejkova-Kolaci said. “The softball is really good, and the classes are “THE TEACHERS AND OTHER STAFF FEEL PERSONALIZED, SO IF YOU NEED SOME about previous players and other stuff,” Cejkova-Kolaci said. “I also like just having fun with my teammates.” interesting.” HELP YOU CAN ALWAYS As a Business major, Initially nervous about attending school as an international student, CejkovaKolaci said she quickly adapted to her new situation. SEND AN EMAIL OR SOMETHING TO GET HELP. SCHOOL-WISE AND SOFTBALL-WISE IT WAS VERY WORTH IT TO ME TO COME.” Cejkova-Kolaci said after completing an associate degree at Lake Land College, she plans to transfer to a university to major in either marketing or management.-KLÁRA CEJKOVA“I was scared it would be hard for me to adjust to English, but it has gone pretty well,” CejkovaKolaci said. “At first I didn’t want to get into a conversation, but now I am comfortable talking to other people. I can also do everything in my classes, so that is good.” “Lake Land is really accommodating,” Cejkova-Kolaci said. “The teachers and other staff feel personalized, so if you need some help you can always send an email or something to get help. School-wise and softball-wise it was very worth it to me to come.” KOLACI

FROM PRAGUE TO MATTOON: CHOOSING LAKE LAND IS A HOME RUN