By Jessica Jimenez — Reporter
The worst has happened.
Sports have been called off on a global scale.
The Mountain West and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Conference have canceled all remaining spring competitions because of the ever-spreading coronavirus pandemic.
For San Jose State University athletes — like countless athletes worldwide — the cutting of their season was abrupt and unexpected.
Lynette Clark, mother of senior softball infielder Cassidy Clark, was initially hopeful that the season would resume after a couple of weeks.
Because many collegiate athletes rely on their parents as the backbone of support, parents do have strong opinions regarding their child’s future success.
The cancellation is worrisome for them, mainly because there are so many questions yet to be answered.
Family and friends were devastated and in disbelief on March 12 when the NCAA announced the cancellation of spring sports.
“We have lived and breathed softball and are supporting Cassidy to reach her full potential,” Clark said. “To have it end this way is just heartbreaking.”
For Lynette, the greatest lesson sports has taught her daughter is that things happen out of their control. Learning to accept things helps build character.
Freshman baseball infielder Dalton Bowling’s family’s first reaction was utter shock and devastation especially because this was his first season as a Spartan.
“Initially, we felt the complete cancellation was an overreaction,” his mother, Camie Bowling said. “But as more and more information became available, we realized the safety and concern of the student-athletes was the priority.”
For parents, they feel bad that their own sons’ and daughters’ season was cut short. Not only that, they also feel for graduating seniors who are given the stressful choice of returning for an extra year.
This is all determined if seniors want to accept another year of eligibility, as the NCAA has granted for spring sports athletes.
Sophomore softball infielder Alyssa Graham’s mother, Susie, empathizes with all collegiate athletes.
To her, students work hard every day going to school on top of maintaining their athletic careers.
Susie’s heart breaks for the team because of the dominant start to the season. The Spartans sat in second place in the conference with a record of 21-5.
“As a parent, you get to know the team and their parents,” Graham said. “You become family. Seeing the excitement for the season to start, having an amazing start and then this happens. [It’s a] big blow.”
Lori Mercado, mother of junior transfer baseball infielder Ruben Mercado, understands the players’ let downs.
She knows that some senior athletes may not be able to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility because it depends on the type of academic programs they’re in.
She still remains optimistic about the players.
“We’re hopeful that the program and coaches can find a way to acknowledge and celebrate any seniors that aren’t able to accept an extra year of eligibility,” Mercado said.
Bowling, Graham and Mercado believe their children will accept another year of eligibility when allowed the opportunity, but for Clark it’s still too early to tell.
COVID-19 has left the world afraid and shaken to its core. To have anyone exposed is dangerous, and the parents agree that stopping the season was the right thing to do overall.
“While most recover, there are no guarantees and I would rather my family remain safe and healthy, Bowling said. “Even if that means quarantines and cancellation of sports.”
Camie senses the impact is huge and unprecedented on various levels.
“There is still so much unknown as the NCAA works through how they will handle the extra year of eligibility, as well as scholarships and possible roster size increase for one year,” she said.
All of this will affect some programs more than others.
Graham’s mother says that she looked forward to supporting the community through traveling and she knew that this season could’ve been special for the softball team.
“They’ve invested all this time and effort into this year and the year leading up to this point, we miss this part of our family [and] hope everyone recovers soon and well,” Susie said.
Follow Jessica on Twitter @jessicajim06
