CLUB TEAMS GET BACK ON THE FIELD
University is hoping for 15 club sports to return to in-person practice during spring
CHICO >> Despite not being cleared for competition due to domestic and international travel restrictions put in place by the California State University’s chancellor’s office, club sports at Chico State have been cleared to resume practice at University Stadium at Chico State.
Though travel has been suspended through June 1, the Chico State recreational sports department submitted necessary documentation to campus administration to have individual teams return to practice once a week at University Stadium.
Men’s and women’s ultimate frisbee, women’s water polo, men’s rugby, men’s lacrosse as well as three dance teams have been cleared by the recreational sports department to resume in-person activities after doing walkthroughs with the department regarding activities they wish to resume. Director of Recreational Sports at Chico State Kendall Ross said that both women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse are pending approval currently as the university hopes to have 15 teams resume activities with five weeks left in the semester.
Paperwork was submitted to the university near the beginning of March, Ross said, and approval was given just before the start of the school’s spring break on
March 15.
Despite the announcement prior to spring break, some members of teams still remained doubtful that practice would come about.
“Before spring break I was honestly like I don’t think it’s going to happen, things are going to go back up because a bunch of students are going to do stuff over spring break,” said women’s ultimate frisbee president Annabelle Cole. “So when I got that email that said ‘women’s ultimate here are all the rules to be out there Monday 6-8’ I was super stoked.”
Ross said that despite no game play being allowed, a return to practice for teams will help teams with needed recruitment for the fall 2021
season. She said recruitment has been very difficult to do virtually.
Cole said that she understands the difficulties, especially in a sport such as ultimate frisbee where many players are unfamiliar with the rules at the start.
“It is like what’s the point of learning a sport if you don’t even get to play it so I get it,” Cole said.
However she also sees the draw in being able to try a new sport at a time like the spring semester when there are no team fees, preparing for tournaments and players are just working on basic skills and returning to proper fitness levels. She said it may be an easier way to nonchalantly get people hooked onto a new sport.
“Our whole goal is for them to be able to recruit and retain members so come fall 2021 we have a core group of dedicated student athletes that will be committed to whatever sport or activity they’re involved with. We’re just trying to keep them alive,” Ross said.
Cole was admittedly nervous about the turnout as many peoples’ schedules have changed and some members are attending their virtual learning classes from their home towns. At Monday’s first practice the women’s ultimate frisbee team had just three girls show up. She was happy to be able to be back with the people who did show up, but was sad that that was all who were able to come out.
“I’m just excited to have this practice just to foster hopefully the leadership that will continue when I’m gone and a lot of us are gone and really just hoping that the program continues after this year,” Cole said.
The Chico State recreational sports department has worked in conjunction with the CDC guidelines, the California Department of Public Health guidelines, the higher education guidelines put out by all universities in the state of California, Butte County guidelines, city of Chico guidelines as well as any specific university guidelines to help ensure safety in regards to COVID-19 and its student athletes and staff.
All students must preregister for practices in which they plan to attend, which helps with contact tracing in case a positive test were to arise. If a positive test does arise Ross said the Chico State Student Health Center will be notified and begin reaching out to students potentially involved. Masks must be worn at all times and temperature checks are done before entering the outdoor facility.
For students such as Cole, being able to be cleared on campus to play the sport she loves after not being allowed on campus to practice for over a year is one of the highlights of the graduating senior’s senior year.
“Just the fact that we can even be out on the field and put our cleats on is amazing. I felt like all my school stress melts away just stepping on the field,” Cole said.