John Bishop ‘22
Photo courtesy of Twitter Account @EA_Athletics
COVID-19, the disease that has caused the world to go into lockdown and stop all major events all across the world, including the cancellation of all sports. The domino effect of sports shutting down began when the NBA suspended their season due to a player testing positive for COVID-19. Soon thereafter, all college sports were canceled, including March Madness, which devastated basketball fans, the start of the MLB season was postponed, the rest of the NHL season was postponed, the Masters was postponed, Wimbledon was canceled, and even the Olympics has now been postponed until next year. In addition, COVID-19 has caused all athletics at EA as well as the school itself to shut down for the remainder of the year.
While coaches had remained hopeful that we would be able to return to sports, unfortunately the season was canceled when Governor Wolf shut down all PA schools for the remainder of the school year. Kelly Edwards, head coach for softball, says, “I miss the girls! I miss being on that cold windy field with my fingertips turning blue; I miss watching them get excited at a good play and disappointed at a poor at bat. I miss them picking on us, their coaches. I miss watching them drive way too fast into the softball parking lot. I miss having to yell at them for socializing when they should be warming up. I miss watching my captains command the squad, and I just miss being a part of a team.” All athletes at EA can relate to missing being a part of a team, that has been difficult for students and coaches. With school now closed, Christopher Bates, head coach for boys’ lacrosse, says it is, “disappointing to not have an opportunity to play this season … [but] we have to understand the bigger picture of what is happening in the world right now.” Regina Buggy, athletic director for EA, says, “The health and safety of our community is paramount.”
Even if EA had been able to return, COVID-19 had caused teams to lose a lot of the season already. Coaches had hoped to make-up practices and games, but regarding how teams would have made up for lost practice time, Zachary Richards, head coach for track, said, “We really can’t make up for lost time. That’s why it is so critical that we continue to train the best we can while we are all at home.” Later, when Josie Tomaino, head coach for girls’ lacrosse, speculated how EA would have made up any canceled games if they went back to school, she said, “We would prioritize league games first and likely have to reschedule non-league games for the 2021 season.” In addition, teams like golf needed country clubs to open in order to compete, but golf courses still remain closed. Kimberly Farrell, head coach of girls’ golf, said, “We have a really strong team and our captains were eager to compete. I’m hoping we can get together and have a final dinner.”
In the meantime, coaches have tried to stay in contact with their team during this period. Whitaker Powell, head coach of boys’ tennis, said, “Tennis is difficult to play solo so I’ve encouraged the boys to find a wall, garage door and hit against it. I’m trying to stay in touch with them and keep their spirits up. This is bigger than sports and everyone is doing the best that we can, but staying physically active is important when possible.” Tom Grandieri, head coach of baseball, said, “I have stayed in contact with the team through group emails and Zoom meetings, and even sending them workouts.” Mary Sarah Konopka, head coach for crew, said, “Since our season has basically been canceled, I have said that we need to continue. It is important for athletes to keep working out. It is just healthy and makes them sleep and eat better. All these things are important for strength and immunity.”
Photo courtesy of Twitter Account @EA_Athletics
There are many ways students can continue their conditioning at home. First, the students can use Team Buildr to access both weighted workouts or body weight workouts if they do not have access to weights at home. The EA Athletics website has a variety of workouts that Coach Steve Musacchio has posted, such as 10 minute workouts, yoga and agility workouts. Coach Lara Winter is posting nutrition tips there as well. Both Musacchio and Winter welcome students to email them with any questions or if they would like a creative workout for the backyard or garage. As Musacchio notes, “It’s all about innovation and creativity and habits. I would encourage the kids to get in the routine of incorporating their exercise at a certain time every day.” They also recommend including a variety of movements in workouts and not just doing the same workout.
It has been an extremely difficult time, and while all the coaches and students had hoped that EA was able to return to sports, unfortunately, everything was canceled for the remainder of the year. Many students and coaches would like to thank the seniors for their contributions over the years to EA and the coaches who are retiring this year as well.