Some college athletes across the country had their hearts ripped out of their chests Mar. 12, when the NCAA canceled the remainder of its winter and spring championships, shutting down players’ seasons and even, in some cases, their careers. Promise Johnson, a junior member of Chapman’s track team, still remembers the stunning aftermath. 

“Everyone was working hard for (the remainder of the season) and all of a sudden it was over,” Johnson said. “A lot of seniors were hurt because it was their last season. We were looking for great things, so it was really hard to have it disappear like that.”

For some Chapman athletes, the fallout from a canceled season runs deeper than some missed games. Players use their sport to build camaraderie with teammates; more generally, as people growing into adults, they use that camaraderie to grow as human beings. Without sports, athletes missed that connection, and it’s still not guaranteed to happen in the same way this spring athletic season. 

Johnson, who left campus at the start of last year’s spring break and will remain remote through the end of this year, said the lack of close proximity has had an effect on the team’s chemistry. 

“I feel distant now because I’m remote,” Johnson said. “I'm still in contact with a lot of people. I’ve talked to some freshmen who have reached out and they’re glad to be part of the team, but they don’t feel like it yet because everyone’s apart.”

Athletes living on or near campus have to hold out hope that Orange County is able to maintain low case numbers in the coming weeks. If that occurs, Steven Olveda, Chapman’s sports information director, said there’s a chance for spring play. 

In the meantime, Chapman’s outdoor facilities will open Feb. 15, with teams able to practice in pods and the field split into three sections, according to Olveda. He described that reintroduction of team activity as a way to have athletes ease back into physical conditioning while allowing for manageable COVID-19 testing. The phased reintroduction will gradually allow athletes to return to campus, eventually leading to full practices and possible competition.

That prospect is certainly invigorating for many. But last semester, there was plenty of discussion of returning to play, with fall athletes only ending up disappointed. Rani Lauwers, a junior catcher on Chapman’s softball team, said she’s “cautiously excited” at the prospect of returning to competition.

“It would be great to get a season in, even if it’s slightly abbreviated,” Lauwers said. “But obviously, there are a lot of factors that go into having a season that are out of our hands.”

Ultimately, athletes are at the mercy of COVID-19 case numbers. But if and when they can return to the field, they’ll be ready.

“Mentally (and) physically, I’m ready to play; it’s been a long time and there are a lot of guys who are like that,” said Hank Zeisler, a senior outfielder on the baseball team. “However, we know the delicacy of the situation and unfortunately it’s not really in our hands … We’re going about it very cautiously.”