Athletics While students and faculty continued to work through academic curriculum remotely after the announcement, athletic teams were unable to finish their seasons. Dr. Patrick McGaha, head coach of the Harding baseball team said his players felt the loss of a premature ending. "They worked so hard all fall and were off to a great start," McGaha said. "We all love to be together, and it's really sad that we can't continue to work together toward our goals." Phil Berry, head coach of the Harding softball team, said he received the news with a similar sense of disappointment. He said the softball team was heartbroken, but that they adjusted as well as they could. "We laughed together someand cried together a lot -- mostly just supported each other as we dealt with the changes," Berry said. According to McGaha, the NationalCollegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) enacted waivers to extend eligibility for Division II student athletes whosefinal seasons were shortened by the suspension. Senior Connor Kelly, an infielder on the baseball team, saidthe initial announcement was disappointing, but he was excited for the opportunity to be onthe team for an extra year. "Just the chance to be in the clubhouse one more year, go on road trips, and be with the guys for a whole other year is going to be really special," Kelly said."Also, just another year to be a part of the family we have is going to benefit me, because I think any time I get to spend around these guys makes me a better person and better individual because I think so highly of the guys we have on this team." Senior heptathlete Emily Shell said she saw the end of the season as an opportunity to be thankful, viewing frustration as evidence of hard work. "We can choose to be angry and bitter about the situation, or we can choose to recognize that the things of this world are fleeting," Shell said. "Wecan be sad, but still move on from this stronger knowing that we can overcome anything through Jesus Christ." Coaches and athletes alike were not anticipating the campus closure, but they relied on one another as members of a team and found encouragement as part of the Harding community. "I believe the right deci ion was made by our administration and have faith that our social di tancing will pay off in the long run," McGaha said. "It justhurts, but we know God is in control during this crazy time. story by Katelyn Allen, Emma Aly, Jeriah Brumfield, Luke Humphrey, Caleb Manor, Emily Sundermeier & Holly Tubbs 314
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