After spring sports for 2020 were cancelled, teams have been staying ready in different and often unique ways. Welcome to a series – the COVID-19 Chapman Panthers chronicles.

During her team’s spring season, Chapman women’s lacrosse assistant coach Courtney Novak recommended the book “The Energy Bus” by Jon Gordon to her players. The team quickly came to love it – even establishing the team motto, “Get on the energy bus.”

“The ‘energy bus’ is about getting on and staying on the ‘energy bus’ to maintain positive energy through games and practice,” said senior defender Elizabeth Chadwick. 

Well, even after COVID-19 threw a wrench into the team’s season, they didn’t get off the bus. 

In order to raise spirits after Chapman’s early March shutdown and subsequent move to remote learning, some players, including Chadwick and sophomore midfielder Avery High, decided to create a book club so the team could stay connected – an idea first brought about by their beloved ‘energy bus.’ 

As the semester continued, other books such as “Atomic Habits” by James Clear were added. As players found themselves with much more free time during the shutdown, books became a good way to create shared experiences between the team. Players emailed books with any positive or uplifting themes to women’s lacrosse head coach Daniel Kirkpatrick.

“Some seniors recommended books and podcasts for us to read in order to keep a healthy mindset during this time, since it is not as motivating (not) being on the field,” High said. 

However, the book club wasn’t the only way players tried to keep a healthy mindset.

“When I went home, I tried to stick to my normal regimen as much as I could,” Chadwick said. “I woke up at the same time and I prioritized any sort of exercise in my day. Our coach actually gave us a workout packet and it was modified for safety reasons.” 

For this upcoming season, after finishing with a 3-4 record before Chapman closed its on-campus facilities, training has continued virtually with Zoom meetings and workout plans. This fall semester, players were required to enroll in two to three physical exercise classes in order to stay in shape. The players also hold team-building exercises on Zoom every Monday. 

“I could not imagine taking on 30 new teammates, so our seniors and captains are trying to do as much stuff as possible to make the freshman feel connected,” High said.

By keeping an open mindset, players have adapted to the shutdown and have experienced little trouble preparing for the upcoming season. Maintaining these connections have encouraged players to have faith that their team dynamic will return to normal when the time comes. 

“We don’t know what the future holds,” Chadwick said. “We just have to stay on the energy bus.”