Coping with Coronavirus without sports

Whether it is from playing them or watching them on TV, sports have always provided an escape from the negative aspects of our lives. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, however, it is very difficult to have that luxury during this time of social distancing. Not only are all intercollegiate athletic events cancelled for the remainder of the season, but also professional sports leagues including the NBA, MLB, and NHL. These professional leagues are suspended until further notice, meaning that it has been very quiet in the sports world as of recent. This can make it very difficult to cope with the pandemic, being cooped up at home with no live sports on television. With that being said; however, there are still ways to both play and watch the sports we love.

For me, personally, I have been able to shift gears into preparing for my cross-country season this fall very easily, as our sport is, by and large, individual and unaffected by the new social distancing guidelines. This time of social isolation is also a good time to try out new sports in your spare time. For me, that has entailed frisbee golfing at the local park course, as general parks remain open in Illinois with the exception of playgrounds.

A major impact on sports due to COVID19 has been the cancellation of live television sporting events, from March Madness to professional leagues. While this does make it difficult to cheer on our favorite teams, there are still plenty of sporting events and shows to watch. One informative and entertaining sports show is ESPN First Take, on at 9 AM central time every weekday morning. This show routinely features fierce debate of current topics ranging from NFL free agency to debates regarding current and former greats from all sports. Another option available all across ESPN’s family of networks are both reruns and documentaries of moments throughout sports history, ranging from the notorious O.J Simpson trial to the improbable run of the 1984 NC State Wolfpack in the NCAA Tournament. Personally, I have watched reruns of some of Bulls legend Michael Jordan’s greatest games from his “flu” game in 1997 to his career-high 69 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Overall, while it has been incredibly difficult to cope with COVID19 without sports, there are always creative ways to fill this void.

Riley Dulin - Sports Editor