The cancellation of the sports for the remainder of the season is very heartbreaking and completely unfair.
Understandingly, the NCAA was only taking precautionary measures, but they honestly didn’t think this out very well.
College sports revolve around the school year. Due to COVID-19, everything is being pushed back, including education. All sports were canceled, figuring that they couldn’t finish the sports seasons before the school year ended. Yet, that takes away so much for the athletes that have worked so hard to get where they are now.
The possibility of the seasons being postponed and played over the summer doesn’t seem all that crazy. College basketball was about to have March Madness until it was also canceled, but it doesn’t take a prolonged period of time to be finished. Even if the season resumed in the middle of July, it would be done in time for football season.
The same goes for baseball. The season was well underway and the College World Series is one of the biggest college tournaments. A way for baseball to make the cut in time would be to cut the season short and start the season a little early.
Yet, it’s worth keeping in mind that other sports such as hockey, golf and lacrosse, just to name a few, all get affected.
The NCAA as an organization doesn’t get hurt too much by all of this, compared to the players and senior athletes. They are taking a lot away from the players, many of whom just played their last collegiate and competitive game of their lives.
As many would imagine, that is very difficult for players to deal with. Unlike the professional athletes who have had their seasons pushed back to be finished at a later time, the college season is completely done. These athletes are not only saying farewell but are being stripped of the chance to play for a national championship.
There is no one else to blame but the NCAA, who panicked, didn’t think things through and ultimately didn’t think about the students.
The NCAA made the right decision for the time being, but they consider what can come later down the road. Maybe this whole situation will lead to new opportunities, such as seniors being made eligible to come back another year.
But one thing is certain, the collegiate winter and spring sports titles will be left vacant.
