From a distance, the turf of Chapman’s Wilson Field during a regular weekday is almost back to normal, filled with the heavy footsteps and sweat of the football team. 

In reality the situation, clouded by social distancing protocols and mask-wearing, is far from normal – and far from what freshmen were expecting for the start of their Chapman careers. Normally, they’d be competing against other teams in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, not taking part in heavily sanctioned practices for a still-hazy spring schedule.

“It’s definitely weird; everyone’s used to football being in the fall, but it’s a new experience that we’re all looking forward to,” said freshman quarterback Charlie Marsh of the spring restart. “It’s giving us a little time to take care of our bodies and get ready for the upcoming season.” 

After much anticipation and virtual bonding sessions, freshmen like wide receiver Ben Reade are finally able to meet their teammates, thanks to the Oct. 19 phasing in of small group conditioning.

“I have been meeting a lot of people, but it’s hard because you don’t want to make the groups too big or anything,” Reade said. “Football is the biggest team, so it’s difficult to see everyone, compared to a basketball team that’s probably like 15 people.”

It’s already difficult for high school football players to transition to a collegiate system. Throw in the fact that practices are limited to small pods without many physical reps, and freshmen have been challenged to build team chemistry and their football IQ with a completely new team and environment.

“We’re going over plays and (schemes), but we don’t really get to (practice) that in person, so that makes it hard,” Marsh said.  

While Reade explained he’s staying optimistic, the same can’t be said for all of the freshman class. With the looming threat of the coronavirus, freshmen like receiver Gian Lagemann are worried about the state of their upcoming season.

Even with the safety precautions, Lagemann is fearful of an outbreak amongst the football team. He can attest firsthand to just how quickly the virus can spread: he tested positive for COVID-19 Oct. 8, being placed in isolation in his residence at Chapman Grand and cleared before returning to practice.

“I’m not very optimistic that we’re going to have a season in the spring,” Lagemann said. “I don’t want to get my hopes up, (only) for them to say that we don’t have a season.” 

Nonetheless, all players continue to train hard given the tentative promise of a five-game schedule in the spring. Head coach Bob Owens knows the only way the team can move forward is to keep preparing. 

“We’re all going to experience adversity at some point of time in our life and you just simply have to be ready to succeed in the face of it and do the work,” Owens said. “When the opportunity to perform is presented again, you have to be ready.”