Attending college has always been a dream of mine, especially playing NCAA Div. 1 softball.
Although I have been through a lot during my college athletics career, including a few injuries, I would have never thought my time at Cal State Fullerton would be cut short due to a global pandemic.
Coach (Kelly) Ford warned us that we might be canceling our season, and we all sort of joked about how the NCAA could cancel sports. We thought what was going on around us was not that big of a deal.
We never thought this could happen, then Athletics Director Jim Donovan spoke to us before one of our home tournament games in the VIP room, and just like that, the season was over, and so was my college athletics career.
It was scary because sports are what keeps me occupied and keeps me around my friends. Now that my season is over, classes are online, and ‘self-quarantine’ is in place, it is making me a little nervous. I do not know what to do with my time and school work has been a lot harder to try and focus on with everything happening around me.
The NCAA is giving seniors their year of eligibility back, but our softball team has been on such a roll that I’m nervous we may not be able to capture that momentum again.
Life off the field is a little harder as well.
My No. 1 priority right now is my grandparents. I have to practice social distancing and be very cautious around them since they are among the most vulnerable to this virus. So, mostly I have been staying in Fullerton in my condo that I share with teammates.
Instead of attending classes, walking the campus, or gearing up for a game, I’m off to the grocery store only to see empty shelves as people load up anticipating that they may have to stay in their homes for a very long time until we get the all-clear.
As a student-athlete at CSUF, I’m blessed by the endless support from our softball staff, especially our coaches. Yes, we are upset; our seasons had to end abruptly, but we do understand the magnitude of what is going on and know it is only for the health and safety of those around us. Having a safer environment for the ones we love and support us — our families and fans — is what we care about the most. A fifth Big West title is not as important as keeping those around us safe and out of this pandemics way.
It is hard knowing my senior season has ended, but many of us, including me, will be back to get that Big West title. You can count on it.
Arianna Burns is a social media intern working with the university Strategic Communications and Brand Management department. She is a senior majoring in communications with an emphasis in journalism.
