Hey All,
One of my first times posting in here (I usually just read the articles) but I thought my perspective could be useful to some of y'all. I am an incoming freshman at UM and have been thinking a lot these past few days about sports this fall. I've outlined my rough thoughts below. Let me know what you think.
The Argument For College Sports in the COVID-19 Era
Sports, and everything that go into them, have always held a place of distinction in American culture and history. They provide both a pleasant distraction and an escape and from the issues of the “real world.” But, sports are now a focal point in the quest to return to normal life.
I recently read the Chicago Tribune’s “What will college football look like when it returns — and is it even smart to play now?” It argues why it would be unwise to play college sports in an era of the COVID-19 pandemic. I disagree.
Every single student-athlete I have talked to on this matter—spanning several NCAA divisions, conferences, and sports—wants to play this fall. Spanning from ACC football and basketball, Big Ten Football and Basketball, and UAA soccer, they all want to play. Some of them, admittedly, have already had the virus. Their opinions on the matter remain the same.
However, it is not my, nor any other member of the sports world’s right to force an amateur athlete to play. That's why, should a student-athlete (say, with a pre-existing condition) choose to sit out this season, programs should be barred from the ability to revoke scholarships.
“What has changed so drastically that colleges are shifting from sending athletes home to shelter in place with their families to allowing athletes to return to campus for voluntary workouts? Why are some even toying with the idea of having a college football season when there’s no proof this can be done safely?
Money, of course.”
While money is a driving factor to most re-openings occurring across the world, it is not the only reason. We know extensively more about this virus, how it is transmitted, and what it is capable of than we did in March. We know the effectiveness of masks and distancing. And, we know that the world must move forward. We cannot be confined to our homes without the world collapsing from economic instability, hunger, and poverty.
Unfortunately, the sad reality of living in a pandemic is that there inevitably will be cases. Yes, dozens of football programs, teams, and professional sports leagues have had positive tests, and yes, there will be many, many more. But, thanks to our efforts this spring, we have flattened the curve. Each passing day, hospitals are more and more equipped to deal with outbreaks. When we were originally confined to our homes in March, it was never about waiting the virus out to find a cure or vaccine. It was about giving hospitals the needed time and support so that they can contain the inevitable outbreak. Isn’t that exactly what we’ve done?
Yes, many things are opening because of the money, but at what point must we say that the world will go on? There is risk every time we step out of our homes in the morning, and we live with that.
Dr. David Nabarro, a professor of global health at Imperial College London, who also serves as a special envoy to the World Health Organization on Covid-19 says that "We can't make an absolute assumption that a vaccine will appear at all, or if it does appear, whether it will pass all the tests of efficacy and safety… It's absolutely essential that all societies everywhere get themselves into a position where they are able to defend against the coronavirus as a constant threat, and to be able to go about social life and economic activity with the virus in our midst.”
“I’m further worried about the message it [the college football season] sends. Athletes are societal and cultural influencers. College football games resuming in the fall would signal that life is back to normal.”
I think this is a message close to the one we all need to hear right now. Yes, it could set a bad precedent for the reality of our global pandemic, but the emotional trauma people are experiencing right now will be alleviated if people have something to watch, to root for, to be a part of. The National Institute of Health published the following: “Social Isolation/distancing induces a lot of anxiety in many citizens of different countries … Imposed isolation and quarantine disrupts normal social lives and creates psychological fear and feeling like trapped, for an indefinite period of time.” College football brings people together, and it could be exactly what the country needs to start healing.
For me, the bottom line is that a college football season in the fall (even without fans in the stadium, or on a conference only schedule) will not only bring needed economic stimulation and relief, but also a break from the depressing world that surrounds us. And, please, wear a mask.
One of my first times posting in here (I usually just read the articles) but I thought my perspective could be useful to some of y'all. I am an incoming freshman at UM and have been thinking a lot these past few days about sports this fall. I've outlined my rough thoughts below. Let me know what you think.
The Argument For College Sports in the COVID-19 Era
Sports, and everything that go into them, have always held a place of distinction in American culture and history. They provide both a pleasant distraction and an escape and from the issues of the “real world.” But, sports are now a focal point in the quest to return to normal life.
I recently read the Chicago Tribune’s “What will college football look like when it returns — and is it even smart to play now?” It argues why it would be unwise to play college sports in an era of the COVID-19 pandemic. I disagree.
Every single student-athlete I have talked to on this matter—spanning several NCAA divisions, conferences, and sports—wants to play this fall. Spanning from ACC football and basketball, Big Ten Football and Basketball, and UAA soccer, they all want to play. Some of them, admittedly, have already had the virus. Their opinions on the matter remain the same.
However, it is not my, nor any other member of the sports world’s right to force an amateur athlete to play. That's why, should a student-athlete (say, with a pre-existing condition) choose to sit out this season, programs should be barred from the ability to revoke scholarships.
“What has changed so drastically that colleges are shifting from sending athletes home to shelter in place with their families to allowing athletes to return to campus for voluntary workouts? Why are some even toying with the idea of having a college football season when there’s no proof this can be done safely?
Money, of course.”
While money is a driving factor to most re-openings occurring across the world, it is not the only reason. We know extensively more about this virus, how it is transmitted, and what it is capable of than we did in March. We know the effectiveness of masks and distancing. And, we know that the world must move forward. We cannot be confined to our homes without the world collapsing from economic instability, hunger, and poverty.
Unfortunately, the sad reality of living in a pandemic is that there inevitably will be cases. Yes, dozens of football programs, teams, and professional sports leagues have had positive tests, and yes, there will be many, many more. But, thanks to our efforts this spring, we have flattened the curve. Each passing day, hospitals are more and more equipped to deal with outbreaks. When we were originally confined to our homes in March, it was never about waiting the virus out to find a cure or vaccine. It was about giving hospitals the needed time and support so that they can contain the inevitable outbreak. Isn’t that exactly what we’ve done?
Yes, many things are opening because of the money, but at what point must we say that the world will go on? There is risk every time we step out of our homes in the morning, and we live with that.
Dr. David Nabarro, a professor of global health at Imperial College London, who also serves as a special envoy to the World Health Organization on Covid-19 says that "We can't make an absolute assumption that a vaccine will appear at all, or if it does appear, whether it will pass all the tests of efficacy and safety… It's absolutely essential that all societies everywhere get themselves into a position where they are able to defend against the coronavirus as a constant threat, and to be able to go about social life and economic activity with the virus in our midst.”
“I’m further worried about the message it [the college football season] sends. Athletes are societal and cultural influencers. College football games resuming in the fall would signal that life is back to normal.”
I think this is a message close to the one we all need to hear right now. Yes, it could set a bad precedent for the reality of our global pandemic, but the emotional trauma people are experiencing right now will be alleviated if people have something to watch, to root for, to be a part of. The National Institute of Health published the following: “Social Isolation/distancing induces a lot of anxiety in many citizens of different countries … Imposed isolation and quarantine disrupts normal social lives and creates psychological fear and feeling like trapped, for an indefinite period of time.” College football brings people together, and it could be exactly what the country needs to start healing.
For me, the bottom line is that a college football season in the fall (even without fans in the stadium, or on a conference only schedule) will not only bring needed economic stimulation and relief, but also a break from the depressing world that surrounds us. And, please, wear a mask.
