Freshman athletes optimistic despite missing first-year traditions

With the cancellation of fall sports, many freshmen athletes are trying to find new ways to have a first-year athletic experience. Panther Archives

Training three times a day. Bonding sessions with teammates. Living, essentially, with upperclassmen for a week. Normally, incoming freshmen on the Chapman men’s soccer team could expect all these activities as a part of “captain’s week,” an event held at the beginning of the fall season.

Yet this year, due to fall sports’ cancellation, freshmen like midfielder Trevor Smith will never have the chance to know that cherished tradition.

“I was just looking forward to getting to know my new teammates and coach,” Smith said. “It’s been a bit difficult because everything has either been virtual or in small groups. I know it will happen in the future, but it's something I feel like I’m missing out on.”

Many freshmen, like defender Trevor Bey, may feel unsure of their places within their individual programs. With senior athletes being eligible to play another season next fall under the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) blanket waiver, things could also be different next season.

“A lot of the seniors are deferring the semester in order to have an extra year of eligibility,” Bey said. “This messes up playing time that the coach promised, and it's going to be interesting for recruiting as well.”

However, as training has started to move online or into small groups, Bey said the team has still taken steps to help freshmen feel involved by introducing them to other members.

Bey’s applause for his team’s leadership seems to echo across other programs. Freshmen volleyball players Natalie Spencer and Amelia Nathanson have been able to find ways to connect with their teammates, thanks to the decision to move to Orange in an off-campus apartment. 

“I moved to Orange to be close to the girls just in case we do get to come back, but it is hard because not all the freshmen moved to Orange and I haven’t met all the girls in person,” Spencer said. “It’s a very different bond between the upperclassmen because they’ve all gotten to play together. But they’ve all still been very kind.” 

From progressive changes in thinking they would have a full season to a modified and eventually cancelled one, freshmen athletes have endured their fair share of disappointments. While no one can predict what will happen in the future, the freshmen are remaining optimistic about a possible spring season, as each athlete enters into a new community for the next four years.

“Not having all the memories and experiences that the other teammates have is difficult,” Nathanson said. “But I already feel a part of the family, just from the few team-bonding activities that we’ve had.”