Athletic teams find new ways to stay connected despite being quarantined

By Kazi Walker

Many student-athletes are used to seeing each other and their coaches almost every day -- from having games, practices, lifts, team dinners, bus rides, or just seeing teammates around campus to nothing at all. However, many teams have still found creative ways to stay connected despite not being on campus.

“I think there are many reasons why we’re so motivated to stay connected, but especially now it’s really nice having a solid support system during these really unprecedented times,” Michelle Theilgard, a junior captain on the Softball team said.

The Softball team is among many Stonehill varsity teams that have tried to stay connected as much as possible while being in quarantine.

“Our team has been staying connected through our team group chat and Zoom calls. Our coaches have participated in our Zoom calls which I think is really important because it shows that we’re still unified despite being separated,” Theilgard said.

Zoom has become very popular for many of the varsity sports teams such as both Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, Soccer, Baseball, Field Hockey, Volleyball, and Track. These Zoom meetings have been used in a variety of ways.

“We have done a virtual yoga session on Zoom. And our coach, Annie Hansbury, has done grade meetings with us as well as individual meetings too,” Sophie Schreck, a sophomore on the Field Hockey team said.

Some teams meet weekly, some meet randomly. The motive is all the same.

“Our coaches host Tuesday night Zoom meetings every week and they always express how much they miss us, they want to keep these meetings going every week so we all have something to look forward to,” Jordan Callahan, a senior on the Track team said.

Some teams have even started to think towards the future and have included their class of 2024 recruits.

“We have been using Zoom to connect once a week with the whole team and coaching staff. We are also going to welcome the class of 2024 into one of our video chats soon,” Alexandra Giardina, a junior on the Women’s Soccer team said.

For fall sports, the spring is usually the time when recruits come for overnights and meet the team.

“This is the best alternative to get us all together for now,” Giardina said.

Baseball is excited to eventually include their team impact member, Declan, into one of their weekly Zoom meetings too.

“Motivation behind staying connected is that it’s bigger than baseball. Obviously, we would love to be on the field together right now, but during an unprecedented time it is equally as important to acknowledge our team as a family,” Matt Donlan, a sophomore on the Baseball team said.

On the outside looking in, these are just teams, but to these teammates and coaches, it is a second family. There is so much more behind every team than the six-day practices every week, or 6:00 a.m. lifts and the countless games. It becomes bigger than wins or loses.

“I wouldn’t want to face a pandemic with anyone other than my 20 best friends,” Theilgard said.

Zoom is not the only method teams have turned to in order to stay connected with each other. Many teams have also used social media in a positive way.

Field Hockey, Softball, Basketball, and Tennis are among the teams that have created Tik Toks where teammates “pass” the sport’s designated ball virtually to each other.

“It is just another fun way to keep us all connected,” Emily Bramanti, a sophomore on the Women’s Basketball team said.

It has become a fun way to demonstrate that teams can still do things together and connect with the people who support them on the field.

“We have also been using the month of April to assign each day to a player to take over the Stonehill Women’s Soccer Instagram account. The theme is a 'day in the life' of that particular player. It’s a great way to stay connected to each other, and our followers,” Giardina said.

The Men’s and Women’s Track and Field team designated a specific Instagram page called the @stonehillsocialdistanceteam and have been posting Tik Toks and videos made by everyone on the team during quarantine as well.

“I think this has honestly brought us all closer somehow and it will hopefully unify us even more. I think it has taught us how to appreciate being able to play a game we all love,” Schreck said.