Chloe Morgan was already sidelined for the 2020 softball campaign with an injury when the season was cancelled on March 12. Even though she couldn't play, being away from her teammates in the coming weeks would be tough for her.

In the month since the season was called off, Morgan and the rest of the softball team has found support from each other, their coaches and support staff from the Binghamton Athletic Department. Originally from Washington state, she has also spent quality time with her family during the quarantine phase.

Take us through the day that the spring season was canceled. What was it like for you and your teammates?

I felt like everything was happening so quickly and I could not keep up. We were not oblivious to what may happen to our spring season. Our group chat was full of every update we heard or saw online. But despite what was happening around us, we woke up thinking we were going to Liberty for a tournament. Mid-morning, our coach informed us that our tournament was canceled.

We were upset to hear that but were more worried as to where the rest of the season was going. When NCAA released information that the championships had been canceled, a group of us met in the locker room. We cried in silence and supported each other in any way we could. I couldn't help but think about all the memories we would miss out on. We hadn't even played a game at home.

Coach Johnston wanted to hold a team meeting, even though we knew what that meant for our season. In our meeting we cried happy tears because we had something so good that it hurt when it was taken away and cried sad tears for not getting to do what we loved and for our seniors. After the meeting a group of us went out to the field. We sat in a circle in center field as we cried, shared memories and listened to our walk up songs.

What was it like processing things over the next several days?

Processing things over the next several days was difficult for us. It was hard to not have the constant of softball anymore, especially during what was supposed to be our season. We kept asking each other "what are we supposed to do today" because without softball we weren't sure what to do. Being together made us feel like we still had that constant in our lives. We spent every day until we left together and leaned on each other for how we go about getting home and what we do once we get home.

The Sunday before everyone left, the team has a final afternoon out on the field. How nice was it to be together like that before everyone had to leave campus?

I am very thankful for our final afternoon on the field. It gave us a sense of closure to play one last 2020 season "game" (even though it was wiffle ball) and to give the seniors a senior night that they deserved.

You were actually out for the season with an injury. Does that make things a little bit easier for you personally?

Having already been out for the season did make things a little bit easier, I had already coped with the idea that I would not be playing. But, it is still hard to not be with my teammates every day and watch them succeed.

How has the team managed to support each other during this time? Has this brought the team closer even though you are not physically in the same place?

Our team is too strong for COVID-19. We stay connected through our group chat and share our achievements or funny things that might have happened to us that day. Small groups of us will Zoom with each other to talk or play games. Also, every week we break up into groups and complete a weekly challenge. The first week we had a singing competition. We have made it a goal of ours to check up on one another. It has bought us closer. It makes me happy that even when we don't have to, we choose to be with each other. We have found ways to make memories with each other.

How supportive have your coaches and support staff been during this time?

Our coaches have been amazing through this. They take the time to make sure we are doing well with our online classes. They have also put together a weekly meeting via zoom, which gives us time to spend together and keeps us updated on anything we need.

It is special to me because every week they ask how my PT is going and I am able to update my team on anything new I was able to do. On Monday, I got to share that I hit for the first time since my surgery. They go above and beyond to stay connected with us. Our sports medicine trainer, Sophie, has been available to us 24/7. She checks up on us weekly to make sure we are doing well, not only physically but mentally. Our academic advisor, Erica, has met with all of us to make sure that we are prepared for online classes and helping us with anything we need. The strength and conditioning trainers have been supportive as well, they give us workouts and nutrition tips. 

In the midst of this COVID-19 situation, what has it been like to reconnect with your family like you have?

COVID-19 has put into perspective what is really important. Reconnecting with my family has been really fun for me. I miss them when I am away and the lockdown has made it really easy to reconnect with them. We like to play backyard games together like cornhole and jenga. My mom and I like to go for walks and watch shows on Netflix and my brother and I laugh every moment we are together.