CSUSB student athletes tell us whether or not the pandemic has made it difficult for them to stay in shape. Photos of the student athletes were provided by the CSUSB Athletics department. Justine Ziranda - Cross Country; Senior, Art Education Major "Being on both the cross country and track and field team have been very different and difficult during this time. Having your teammates next to you every practice motivates you to do better, and we don’t have that right now. Running on our own can only do so much for us. We like competing and seeing our progress over time. Running on our own doesn’t give us the push that most of us need. But to stay positive, I’ve made one of my … [Read more...] about Vox pop: How are CSUSB athletes staying in shape during the pandemic?
Sports
Senior athletes offered another year of eligibility
As athletes in different schools across the country are being allowed back to practice, CSU teams are still waiting for the announcement that will allow them to do the same. After dedicating most of their lives to baseball or softball, senior athletes' final hoorah was abruptly canceled right at the beginning of their spring season due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the United States. Although complete cancellation is not the outcome that anyone wanted, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) made the decision to give college athletes in spring sports the opportunity to return to play for another year. When the NCAA released the statement, “The Division II Council … [Read more...] about Senior athletes offered another year of eligibility
Students react to Dodgers’ victory
After 32 years, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series. For more than three decades, Dodgers fans all across the country have been waiting to see their beloved southern California team take the gold. With many celebrations come many frustrations on the opposing side. Among one of the happy fans was lifelong Dodgers fan, Cassandra Gonzales. Gonzales, a child development major and a junior at Cal Poly Pomona, has long waited for the moment to see the boys in blue hold up the commissioner's trophy. Gonzales stated, "I have wanted to see the Dodgers win the World Series for years now! It's the first time I get to see my team hold up the trophy and I hope that they will do it … [Read more...] about Students react to Dodgers’ victory
CSUSB Athletics adapt to changes in practice routines
The CSU system has begun the 2020-2021 fiscal year virtually. With many challenges come many changes, one of which being the athletics program. Athletes are not required to return to campus, thus making the department operate differently than usual. When asked about this transition, Athletic Director Shawn Farrell says, “It is times like these that our support is stronger than ever.” Pat Walsh, Head Athletic Trainer, says, “We were looking forward to getting athletes back in the training room to maintain the general health of our students. Little did we know that we were not going to be able to work with them at all.” Walsh takes the lead on physical therapy with student athletes and … [Read more...] about CSUSB Athletics adapt to changes in practice routines
Mental health resources available for student athletes amid game cancellations
As college athletics around the world have been affected by COVID-19, CSUSB faculty look for ways to help their athletes with their mental health. To most, the cancellation of sports last spring and this fall came at a surprise and disbelief. On August 5, the California Collegiate Athletic Association released this statement regarding fall sports: “Yesterday, the NCAA Division II Presidents Council announced the cancellation of 2020 fall championship events after it was determined to be untenable from an administrative and financial perspective, due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this news, the conference is still looking ahead to the potential of all sports having the … [Read more...] about Mental health resources available for student athletes amid game cancellations
Baseball stands the test of time
Baseball has been the American pastime since the MLB's establishment in 1869. While baseball is still viewed in living rooms all over the world, it has been overshadowed by other sports in recent years. Although baseball has had its ups and downs over the years with steroid scandals and a strike that nearly ended the future of the game, baseball has managed to stay on top, and baseball fans wouldn’t want it any other way. If you were to ask people who are not baseball fans, whether they feel that baseball is dead or not, they will not hesitate to tell you that the answer is “it absolutely has.” Baseball fans, however, would tell you that people who say baseball is a dying sport are … [Read more...] about Baseball stands the test of time
Nationally-ranked teams struggle from effects of COVID-19
As the stay-in-home order continues, athletes continue to circle around the questions that are on every athlete's and coach's minds: if all sports events are still banned for 2020-2021, will every sport be granted another year of eligibility? The athletic program on campus has taken off for Fall sports such as women’s volleyball and men’s soccer. Both teams had their best season’s in school history with women’s volleyball finishing at number one in the nation and men’s soccer finishing at fifth. These teams begin training for their season early August, but Governor Newsom listed the reopening of sporting events to occur at Stage 4 of the four stage process to phase out of … [Read more...] about Nationally-ranked teams struggle from effects of COVID-19
College soccer players express concerns for their coaches
As COVID-19 has effectively shut down all collegiate sports, coaches worry about their employment. Banned activities include practice, provision of any workouts and training exercises for their players, and recruitment of new players. Recruitment is the most crucial aspect of coaches’ job. It is what ensures that they actually have and maintain their job. Sebastian Ascensio, a transferring sophomore, was in the middle of the recruiting process when this pandemic struck and caused a nationwide stay at home order. Back in March, Ascensio was discussing possible scholarship money with coaches in order to support him and his family financially. With the stay at home order, Ascensio has … [Read more...] about College soccer players express concerns for their coaches
Coyotes’ basketball season comes to unprecedented end
Collegiate sports are on hold with no timetable on when they will resume. In sports, wins and losses are understood clearly. As of now, it seems like nothing is certain because of a global pandemic. The timetable for a return to normalcy is unknown. “It’s low key depressing, but I'm just continuing to work out and stay busy, I have weights and pull up bars here at home,” explains CSUSB star point guard, Jeremy Smith. Smith is a senior on the team who was awarded all California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) first team this year. CSUSB’s men's basketball team was set to make a deep run in the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament, only to find out that they … [Read more...] about Coyotes’ basketball season comes to unprecedented end
Q&A with the National Volleyball Assistant Head Coach of the Year, Danny Scott
There is no doubt that the CSUSB women’s volleyball team has put the school on the map at a national level for years to come. The women’s team holds 14 CCAA championships, 8 West Regional championships, and just finished their best season in school history, going 33-0 and winning the national championship. How does a team follow such a perfect record when their entire Spring season, and possibly preseason, is cancelled due to COVID-19? Danny Scott has been a key factor on the program's success for the past 16 seasons. The 2019 National Assistant Head Coach of the Year gives us his insights on where to go from this point and how to continue to hold that national champion … [Read more...] about Q&A with the National Volleyball Assistant Head Coach of the Year, Danny Scott