With the recent news that spring sports are back, coaches are beginning to plan out their practice schedules for the 2021 season. 

Daniel Kane, interim athletic director and men’s soccer head coach, is doing his best to make sure all student-athletes are safe and cautious. Kane said all spring sports are following new guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

“Our student-athletes are being tested once a week to keep up with school guidelines,” Kane said. “[They] are also being tested three days before away games to ensure they have a negative result before traveling to another institution.” 

Each team will play home and away games within the SUNYAC and are now allowed to schedule non-conference games. Kane knows that makes being careful more important, and the culture that has been built at Oswego State during the pandemic has played a role in doing so.

“We have installed a culture of if you are not feeling well, don’t come to practice,” Kane said. “We social distance whenever possible. Masks are also worn whenever we are inside, that includes during competitions.” 

While athletes are doing their very best to stay safe and virus-free, there is always a chance that sports will shut down again. The Oswego State softball head coach Gabrielle Rivers advises her athletes to make sure they are following the rules so athletics do not go back on a pause.

“There’s always that fear in the back of your mind. It never goes away,” Rivers said. “With the athletes, I just tell them to make sure you are following all the precautions and staying safe. You know what it’s like to have a season taken away so make sure you are doing the right things.”

For women’s lacrosse head coach Britt Howard, she and her athletes are beyond excited to get back on the field and resume action.

“It’s definitely a different type of year just because the returners haven’t played in a while, and some of the high school players have never even played at the college level,” Howard said. “It’s going to be a learning experience, but we are super excited to be back on the field working on our stick skills.” 

With all this time away from lacrosse, Howard has emphasized building chemistry in practices right from the beginning.

“During practices, we’re really focusing on making sure we’re building that chemistry up,” said Howard. “Lacrosse is truly a team sport, so we are focusing on developing that team culture.” 

Practices have already began for both the women’s lacrosse team and the softball team as both teams are practicing as a full team, five days a week, with COVID-19 regulations in place. 

The Oswegonian file photo from 2020