When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the world in early March 2020, the impact on Binghamton and all NCAA student-athletes was swift and dramatic. Winter and spring seasons were suddenly halted and students were sent home to finish out the semester with online courses. The day-to-day student and student-athlete experience was instantly changed.
Here are some reflections (found under the "Bearcats Family" tab on bubearcats.com) from our Bearcat student-athletes during this challenging time when asked "How has COVID-19 affected me."
Links to other Reflections
Baseball player Daniel Franchi
Women's lacrosse Franze twins
Baseball player Alex Baratta
Wrestler Lou DePrez
Track & Field distance runner Dan Schaffer
Softball player Chloe Morgan
Track & field pole vaulter Mallory Prelewicz
Golfer Justin Lane
Softball player Stephanie Ragusa
Golfer Justin Lane
Golfer D.J. Griffiths
Softball player Sara Herskowitz
Swimmer Kaite Smolar
Zoom Interviews
Diver Amanda McGraw
Swimmer Belen Marriaga
Track & field jumper Matt Baker
Women's Basketball player Hanna Strawn
Softball player Jill Fittry
Swimmer Kelli O'Shea
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Denai Bowman, Women’s Basketball
Freshman guard
April 12, 2020
COVID-19 has affected me by stripping away the thing I love most, which is basketball. With this pandemic going on, it has been hard trying to figure out how I can stay motivated and push myself to work hard. One thing I gained from this pandemic is developing a stronger relationship with God and improving my study habits. Moving forward, I plan on learning about different ways I can better myself and trying to find new hobbies.
Hanna Strawn, Women’s Basketball
R-Sophomore guard
April 12, 2020
COVID-19 has affected me by not getting to see and spend time with my family and friends. It's also been very hard not to be able to play the sport I love and not getting to be around my coaches and teammates. I've never taken online classes during the semester so that was difficult to adjust to as well. I try and stick to a daily routine and make sure I'm getting my school work done and staying active. It's very important especially now to manage your time and keep things as normal as you can.
Karlee Krchnavi, Women’s Basketball
Senior forward
April 12, 2020
This pandemic is something nobody could have ever predicted. Our basketball season came to an abrupt ending, but I'm thankful we got to finish our regular season. I can't imagine how spring sport athletes are feeling. It also makes me sad knowing I can't spend my last semester with my teammates and friends like I had planned. With the weather getting nicer, I had plans of formal, spring fling, going out to eat with friends, cooking and utilizing the pool where I live, and so much more. I really hope us seniors can have a graduation to celebrate our amazing accomplishments.
My list can go on of everything I'm sad about, but at the same time I am making the most of what I have and cherishing the time I get to spend with my family. I've been doing home workouts to keep in shape and I'm starting to get really creative with it. I've always been a positive person and even during these weird times, I'm still staying happy and thinking about coming out of this situation stronger than ever. I know we will get back to normal soon and be able to enjoy everything life has to offer, we just have to be patient right now!
Khoryn Bannis, Women’s Basketball
Freshman guard
April 12, 2020
COVID-19 has affected millions around the world and caused many people to stay home. It is obviously a terrible situation we are in but I am thankful I get to spend it with my family. Staying home has given me more time to spend with my family and be able to do different things with them.
Kaylee Wasco, Women’s Basketball
Junior forward
April 14, 2020
As Division I student-athletes we are constantly trying to catch our breath. We typically are never concerned with how we should spend our time because we usually are victims of not enough time. This virus has flipped all of this upside-down. I'm a structure oriented person and I've always said a weakness of mine is entertaining myself. Now I get up in the morning and instead of going through everything I need to accomplish, my agenda is empty with nothing but "whatever you decide to do today" across every single day in my planner. I've never lived like this. Within the basketball program specifically this is about to be the longest break we've ever had between team sessions. I'm about to be a senior and I literally mean that this may be longer then all the breaks we've had combined. This virus is detrimental but so is loneliness and isolation. So I've taken this time to bring back my creative side that I don't typically exercise. I couldn't go too crazy, I've created a weekday regimen that I hold myself accountable for completing daily before I watch tv aimlessly. But if I'm being honest I've come to know this new part of me that I've never had the time before to develop. I've worked on my faith, my creative spirit, my mindfulness, my outreach to social connections, my cooking skills, and so much more.
Am I happy with how this has all turned out? No. Am I pushing forward and taking something away from this experience that I wouldn't have gained any other way? Absolutely, because that's what us student athletes are best at. Our brains are wired as athletes to push the bad luck aside and get ready to go make the next shot or get after it the next game. Our strength coach Bill Bacon always says "get comfortable with being uncomfortable." That's all I'm doing. As much as we feel like we spend four years training for our sport, we train for life too, and this is just another example; survive and advance.
Cassidy Roberts, Women's Basketball
Freshman guard
April 14, 2020
COVID-19 has caused a lot of changes in many people's lives, including mine. As a freshman, I was both looking forward, and nervous for post-season workouts. I've heard how intense they can be, but I want to get faster and stronger and I knew Coach Bacon could get me there. I was excited that my schedule would ease up as there were no more games and traveling. There were so many things I was looking forward to finishing out my freshman year at college doing. However, I didn't get to do these things. I missed out on a chunk of time with my seniors whom I may not see for a long time. I packed my things and was home in a day.
I got home with my dad to see my mom, younger sister, Hailey and my dog, Dexter. All these people help me stay sane while being in quarantine. Only my dad leaves the house for groceries, or my mom for work as she is a nurse. Classes switched to online which was definitely a challenge. We now have to be more on top of our work as there is no face-to-face communication with our professors, only the emails they send, which I must now check at least three times a day. Overall, I've adjusted pretty well to online learning and staying at home. I created a schedule for myself so that I can stay on top of my school work, while still working out. The schedule includes what classes I have at certain times. It also includes workouts that I do on that day so that I make sure I am doing everything, ball handling shooting, cardio, and lifting. I have times allotted to doing homework, while still giving myself time to relax.
While being home, I've definitely missed my teammates. These are people that I have been with almost every day since last summer. I think this is the longest I've gone without seeing all of them. We still all communicate, through Zoom, FaceTime, texting or social media. However, it's still not the same as being there together in person with them. Our summer session was canceled which stinks. Although those were some of the craziest workouts I've ever done in my life, it got me better. I became faster and stronger, both physically and mentally. It is also where great bonds were created between me and my teammates. I just hope that we are able to go back to school by the end of August and everything will go back to normal.
Hayley Moore, Women's Basketball
Sophomore guard
April 14, 2020
It had been an absolutely crazy and scary time for everyone the past month. One day my team and I were preparing to play in a post season tournament and then all within a few days we were packing up and leaving to go home for good. At first I was planning to stay on campus until spring break, so I could work out while completing online classes with people around me who could help in the Student Success Center. Then within a few hours the Events Center and the Success Center were closed. It was at that point when my mom called me and told me she wanted me to come home as soon possible and I had to pack up my whole dorm which I wasn’t mentally planning on doing until May. With the help of a few teammates I was able to get packed up within two days and get on the road to New Jersey.
Being home is always an amazing time, but not being able to leave my house is making it a little bit harder. I had to adjust my schedule and deal with no gyms being open. Although it was definitely hard and difficult to adapt to this change I was able to come up with a routine that I got myself into fairly quickly. My days now consist of homework, workouts, family time, etc. I have been trying to make the most out of the time I have home and make use of a basketball, the dumbbells in my basement, and my running shoes. Spring in Binghamton is always the best and going to baseball, softball, and lacrosse games is definitely something that I think all the athletes will miss. My heart goes out to all those that lost their spring seasons.
As much as I think all students are upset about missing out on their spring semesters I think it is important to realize what’s happening and understand. I for sure am upset that I’m not in Binghamton right now but staying home, washing your hands, and standing six feet away from people is so important. I miss my friends, teammates, coaches, and all of the Binghamton community so much, but I know we’re all in this together and it’s going to make the reunion that much sweeter. It's times like this when you realize never to take anyone or anything for granted. I know this all feels so strange and almost like a movie, but unfortunately it’s real life and we all need to stick together. For now, I hope everyone is making the most with what we have, spending quality time with their loved ones, praying and hopefully everything will go back to normal soon. Stay safe, healthy, and positive. Go Bearcats!
Amanda McGraw, Swimming & Diving
Sophomore diver
April 6, 2020
One of the hardest parts about adjusting to this new way of life is how fast everything is changing and the rate at which we’re expected to adapt. One day, we were sitting in class counting down the minutes until our lab was going to be over and the following day we were told to pack up our things and get home immediately. This time has been demanding and brutal for every individual in a different way.
In terms of classes being moved online, this is something no one has experienced before. There is not one ‘right’ way to teach a college course such as yoga, linear algebra, or chemistry lab online. This pandemic has caused the transition in the last few weeks to be difficult, but fortunately many professors have been extremely accommodating and considerate under the circumstances.
For athletics, it has been exceptionally hard to predict what to expect. For a sport like swimming and diving, who knows how long it will be before getting back into the pool with our team? It is unconventional for a college athlete to put a hold on prioritizing practice every day whether it’s for a few weeks or even a few months. For sports with a spring season, you have my utmost sympathy, especially the seniors who missed out on their last season of either high school or college athletics in the sport they had dedicated so much of their time to.
I am dealing with the change of environment by trying to be proactive and productive as often as I can be, while furthermore, trying to find a silver lining to all of this. I have my parents and two sisters at home, one being a senior in high school and the other a senior in college. I have seen this setback as a suitable time to spend quality time with family, and to make the most of what’s around us.
Dominic Buonadonna, Baseball
Freshman pitcher
April 3, 2020
I first learned about the affects COVID-19 could have on our season around when the NBA was postponed due to their players contracting the virus. Rumors spread that our season would get canceled but I didn’t think it could actually happen and yet, it did. Our coaches brought us into a meeting room and broke the news to us. It didn’t seem real to any of us and the looks on my teammates we’re all grim and full of loss. We took the following days to make sure we said everything we wanted to say to our seniors who may not be returning and packed up to head home.
It’s strange not playing baseball in April to say the least. It’s what I’ve been doing every April since tee ball. But I still try to do what I can by having a catch with my younger brother, running, and finding ways to work out around the house. Online classes are a bit difficult for me because I feel there are more distractions within my home then in my dorm room or the library. Also, some classes have gotten harder without face to face lectures and discussions such as my biology and statistics whereas other have gotten a little easier like my history and my writing course. I’m just trying to stay away from others as much as possible in hopes that I can have the opportunity to play baseball this summer and be prepared for fall scrimmages. I just hope to stay motivated to keep going and keep my grades and hopes high.
Kelly Quinn, Women's Lacrosse
Junior midfielder
April 3, 2020
The night before the Mt. St. Mary's game, I said a prayer. I asked for the strength to play well against my opponents. Ten minutes into the second half, I was checked from behind going after the ball. In the process, another girl tripped up my feet, I lost my footing, and heard my knee crack as I planted on my right leg. I knew what I did; I didn't need the trainers, the doctors, or the MRI to know what I did. I tore my ACL. I wasn't surprised; my ACL has had a tear in it since my senior year of high school. But, with some physical therapy exercises, and making the muscles around my knee stronger, my ACL was still functional. Until I took that wrong step, my bones banged together, which tore my ACL, and what the doctors later found out, a bucket tear of the meniscus. This type of rupture of the meniscus wasn't visible on the MRI but became known in the middle of surgery.
On the day of my surgery, March 12, I had spent three hours in surgery. The procedure was supposed to take an hour and a half to two hours, but because of the bucket tear, it required different equipment and people. I was in recovery for three hours, and when I tried to get up for the first time, I almost threw up from the pain of the brace and the gauze rubbing against my stitches and the weight of it all shifting down. When I finally got back to the hotel that night, I had over a hundred messages on my phone. Having anxiety as each text came through, my heart broke. The NCAA canceled the spring season for all spring sports. All the painkillers and anesthesia in my system made me even more emotional. I cried from the pain, but also for my team. Although I wasn't going to be able to play, my team had started to click; we had won the last two games and started to come together in a whole team effort. It was one heck of a way to find out the team's season was entirely over, post-surgery, with drugs in my system to numb the pain of my knee. Another regret was that I couldn't be there with my team and the seniors that I could never step on the field with again. Snapchats I saw from my team group chat showed them all crying for the next three days, and it hurt that I couldn't be there with them.
Something positive people have been trying to tell me that this was the best time I could have torn my ACL. All classes are online, everyone is quarantine, so I'm not missing a social life, and the season was over, so I'm not missing a lacrosse season. My procedure occurred a week before non-essential surgeries were stopped because of COVID-19. Also, until it was made official earlier this week, there was uncertainty around the NCAA granting any other eligibility for spring sports athletes affected. In contrast, because of my injury, I was able to get this year back. All great reasons, but there are some still looming negatives. If Sports Medicine in Binghamton were open, I would be getting more days with my athletic trainer to make sure I'm doing my rehab correctly. Compared to the two or three days a week, I go to physical therapy. While everyone is supposed to be staying inside, others can still go for walks, runs, or bike rides. I realize there are many different stories of ACL tears, and they all have similarities, it's their differences that make them unique. A common thought that I've kept saying to myself is pain is temporary; strength is forever. While this pain won't last forever, how I decide to go about this recovery will make all the difference. Although these are not the ideal circumstances that I would like to be rehabbing in, I'm sure there are many others in similar positions. A collective mindset that I've heard in recovering from an ACL tear is to accept it, and you can't change it. I can't change what happened on the field that day or what's happening right now in the world, but I can do what I can to not shake my mindset.
While the road on the recovery will be a long one, it will shape my view on things and how I tackle adversity. Maybe the strength I asked for was given to me; this is the way I'm supposed to gain it.
