COVID-19 has brought so many challenges to the world today. It’s affected quite a few thousand people over the past year since the start of the March 2020 shutdown. One of the main questions that has been up in the air most recently was “Is COS going to start playing sports anytime soon?”

The answer is Yes. The COS athletic department is resuming all things Sports from basketball to football and even cross country and softball starting this week.

After taking the remaining spring 2020 semester and the entire fall 2020 semester off with no practice or conditioning; the athletic department is in full effect and prepared for the upcoming sporting events. Brent Davis is currently in his 8th year as athletic director here at COS and although his main duty at this position is to guide athletes and coaches through health and safety for the upcoming season, Davis also stated that “There is so much unknown,” when reflecting back to the start of the shutdown. It’s a huge responsibility as athletic director to make sure all student-athletes are where they need to be in terms of academics and get them through each semester here on Campus

Being able to have athletes out on the fields or on the courts for conditioning is one step closer to having the ability to compete. While wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines, coaches choose the best method of practice for their athletes and take into consideration what drills are suitable for each athlete’s health and safety.

As each coach is preparing for the safety of themselves and others around them, COVID testing is “a requirement for all coaches and athletes prior to competing,” stated Davis. If a coach or player tests negative then they will be cleared to practice, condition, or play for that day. On the other hand, however, the coaches and athletes that test positive get treated like everyone else. They must follow protocol guidelines and quarantine for those 14 days and are able to return after quarantine or until they receive a negative test. Once they are cleared or receive a negative test, they are then able to return to the field or court and practice to compete.

Unfortunately, there will be no fans or spectators allowed at any sporting event this season, however, “each sporting event will have a live stream,” worded Davis. Due to the health guidelines and safety of others, this was the best option for the athletic department to agree upon.

This week in sports we kick off with Ray Alvarado and Women’s basketball on Friday, March 5 at home against Bakersfield and then Saturday, March 6 away against Bakersfield, both days starting at 4 p.m We are continuing this upcoming weekend with a two-game home series on March 6 and March 7 with Dallas Jensen and Men’s basketball against Palo Verde, with Saturday’s game starting at 6 p.m. and Sunday’s game starting at 12 p.m.

The links to each game are listed below:
Friday, March 5 Women’s basketball @4 p.m. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxqdT84woH8&feature=youtu.be
Saturday, March 6 Men’s basketball @6 p.m. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CerS6yqdxo&feature=youtu.be
Sunday, March 7 Men’s basketball @12 p.m. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFEUnyhf2kE&feature=youtu.be