College sports

The Latest With Mount Holyoke Athletics

By Gigi Picard ’22

Sports Editor

Despite a national trend of cutting athletic programs due to COVID-19, Mount Holyoke College Athletics has not eliminated any varsity or club sports teams. During the spring 2019 semester, seasons were cut short and the final game played by student-athletes was a lacrosse scrimmage between Mount Holyoke and Smith colleges, which occurred just before both colleges closed for the academic year. 

In late August, athletes and coaches were reunited over Zoom for their traditional student-athlete barbecue. Led by Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks, the virtual Zoom event tried to bring back the lively spirit felt at barbecues from years past. One effort to bring the athletic community together was the unforgettable “Y-O-K-E” cheer. 

For Mount Holyoke Athletics, there are no in-person practices or competitions this semester. The College’s athletic programs this year will focus more on holistic community building rather than only the physical aspects of sports. 

Hendricks worked on the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) COVID-19 working group this summer, alongside several colleagues, directors of athletics, team physicians and athletic trainers. The purpose of the group was to develop plans and protocols for fall practices and competitions. Decisions were made at the conference level to host conference-only contests in the fall. Winter sport contests would be delayed until January.

For Hendricks, the future of the Mount Holyoke athletics department was a main consideration while working with the group. 

Hendricks explained that the department’s priorities and strategic plan lie with “competitive success, recruitment and retention, diversity and inclusion, student well-being, community integration and physical education.” Hendricks highlighted the importance of student-athlete safety during this time, as well as trying to find ways for fall sports to potentially compete in the spring. 

According to Hendricks, the current plan is to work with the NEWMAC conference — Mount Holyoke’s athletic conference — and the NCAA. “We are working with the NEWMAC and the NCAA to prepare a proposed competitive schedule for our fall, winter and spring teams in the spring semester. For squash and equestrian, who have different governing organizations, we are looking to their national leadership to provide guidance on spring schedules.” 

According to Associate Director of Athletics Erica Lemm, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee met during the summer to talk about the challenges presented by COVID-19 and other questions raised by the Black Lives Matter movement.  

“SAAC just added a Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee as well as [a] Diversity and Inclusion representative to [the] E-Board,” Lemm said. “Most importantly, they're laying the groundwork for important diversity, equity, and inclusion conversations to continue by creating a book club and discussing how best to have team dialogues,” she added.  

Mount Holyoke Athletics has plans to address NCAA legislation, host a virtual version of  the annual toy drive and continue to engage with Girl Inc., with whom they formed a partnership last year. The department also plans to recognize “teams of the week,” replacing last year’s regular “game of the week.” 

“Soon I'll be releasing programming for mental wellness, diversity and inclusion and leadership in conjunction with the NEWMAC,” Lemm said. “Additionally, we're continuing with the Student-Athlete Leadership Team and our newest group, the First-Generation and Ethnic Minority Student-Athlete Group.”

The future continues to remain uncertain for spring sports. Any further updates will be provided by the Mount Holyoke athletics department and the Mount Holyoke News.

COVID-19 Changes the Game for College Athletics

Photo courtesy of Pixy.org

Photo courtesy of Pixy.org

By Gigi Picard ’22

Sports Editor

After the onset of COVID-19 last spring, colleges across the U.S. canceled end-of-the-season athletic competitions. The three divisions within the NCAA had to reevaluate plans for future seasons across all sports. 

The future of football remained questionable because it is a contact-heavy sport. The Big Ten and PAC-12 NCAA Division I conferences originally canceled their football fall seasons. This sparked controversy and outrage among players and coaches. There has been pressure by the ACC, Big 12 and SEC conferences, all of which have begun their football season, for the Big Ten to play. The Big Ten recently considered revoting and starting a season. The return of other sports, whether they are played on the field, court or in the water is questionable as well.

Another decision colleges had to make concerned their own athletic departments. Some colleges in all NCAA divisions cut at least three varsity teams due to financial trouble as a result of COVID-19. Schools such as Stanford University, the University of Connecticut and the University of Minnesota were among those who had to cut athletic programs. Some sports that faced the chopping block included swimming and diving, tennis, golf, lacrosse, soccer, cross country, field hockey, rowing, squash, track and field and equestrian. These changes will take place after their 2020-2021 seasons.