Nick Kornieck and the CSUDH men’s basketball team are on a four-year playoff streak. Photo by Kaleb Tapp.
By Bryana Medina, Staff Reporter
COVID-19 took control and abruptly stopped student-athletes at Cal State Dominguez Hills from completing their seasons. After a period of uncertainty, all sports were canceled for the spring and fall semester, leaving athletes lost and confused on when they will ever be able to return to reality and play their respective sport again
Athletes are structured to a lifestyle that they have grown up on since they learned to walk. Now that a global pandemic has come into the picture, many CSUDH athletes are uncertain how to conduct their everyday schedule.
“It’s very tough and not an ideal situation coming in as a freshman.” said incoming freshman Catalina Pacheco, who is a member of the CSUDH women’s soccer team and majoring in business management.
As classes are virtually online, many student-athletes have been trying to adjust to the new reality of not being in person and not being able to practice and compete in the athletic facilities and study on school campus.
“I try to navigate my everyday lifestyle,” Pacheco said. “School is school.”
Hopes to go professional are suddenly diminishing. Senior year is looking more dreadful to senior athletes who were hoping to use their final season to showcase themselves.
Senior Nick Kornieck from Las Vegas, Nev. who is a member of the CSUDH men’s basketball and majoring in film/television, has been affected by not being able to play and go to school for his last year of college.
“I don’t really know what’s next after senior year, I’m just taking it day by day,” Kornieck said. “I hope the season is not canceled and we can resume in January but it sucks not being able to come to school and hang out with friends.”
Staying in shape is extremely pivotal as many athletes are not training with their teams and are not on their regular schedule.
“The coaches gave us fitness packets at home to work on and I have a personal trainer I work with at home,” Pacheco said. “I also train with my old club soccer team to keep up with my ball skills.”
Kornieck has also found ways to stay in shape during the new adjustment.
“That’s the tough part, I’ve been running and biking for the most part,” Kornieck said.
As COVID-19 cases seem to be rising, athletics are experiencing the same abrupt pause in life as many countries around the world have experienced.
Although the fall semester is set in motion, California Collegiate Athletic Association posted updates on what the athletic programs should expect and prepare for.
In an official statement, the CCAA said that “team activities, practice and training opportunities will be determined and defined by each member institution with the approval of the University president and the Cal State system, and shall adhere to local and state public health regulations. All applicable NCAA playing and practice season rules will be followed.”
Additionally, they gave instructions on what the athletes can do during this time.
“Student-athletes should be in contact with their specific institution’s athletics compliance staff for further guidance on permissible activities allowed by their department for the Fall of 2020. Further decisions regarding spring CCAA activities and return to play timelines are expected to be announced in October.”
Until then CSUDH athletes are working towards adjusting to this new reality.
