By Candace Farmer — Reporter
Sporting events and practices at all levels have been up in the air at San Jose State this entire year due to the coronavirus. While the major focus surrounding college campuses are the signed student-athletes, what about those students associated with club sports?
Of course, there are major differences between NCAA-standard competition and college club sports such as skill level, practice time and university funding.
But all of these students share one thing in common, the love of the game.
The shelter-in-place shutdown of Santa Clara County in March put a hold on all activities on SJSU’s campus, ending seasons for both signed student-athletes and students who volunteered their time in any of the 38 club sports.
“Covid was just a punch in the face to all of us,” said SJSU club sports in a caption via Instagram.
Whether they’re an athlete who spent their entire life working to become a star on the field, a student who is furthering their passion for a sport they grew up playing or a freshman that never played a sport before looking to make new friends and memories, all were devastated by the unknowns from the coronavirus.
Members of club sports have had to find new ways to keep in contact with one another during social distancing to keep up the team camaraderie.
The club men’s baseball team introduced a virtual coaching classroom that meets two times a month on weekends, covering certain drills and technique breakdowns in order to encourage players to keep practicing for the potential spring 2021 season.
A more individualistic sport, SJSU club archery looks hopeful towards a spring season working with admin at Black Mountain Bowmen Archery Club to discuss plans to return for a spring season. Team members would be broken up into smaller groups and target bales would have to be properly distanced.
Members of club gymnastics shared space with the Silicon Valley Gymnastics club and the club hockey team was looking to gear up for the season, until Santa Clara County moved back into the purple tier on Nov.17. This announcement canceled any scheduled games and practices.
The men’s club hockey team is currently fundraising to ensure program stability in the future.
“Even if we don’t get to play in a single game this season, meeting our fundraising goal would definitely be a ‘W’ for our organization and a great accomplishment toward ensuring Spartan Hockey has a promising future at SJSU,” said Winston Adams, General Manager of Spartan Hockey.
For now, things are on hold until at least Dec. 21. As with all on-campus sports activities associated with SJSU, members would have to follow strict social distancing guidelines to participate, whenever that time may come.
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