Being a college athlete is hard as it is but being a student athlete in college might just be harder. During a regular season, the Whatcom volleyball team has a packed schedule, but who knew that during a worldwide pandemic, we are still working just as hard.
I’m a returning player for Whatcom’s volleyball team. I played last year as the starting Libero, which is a defensive specialist, for the team, where we placed first in the Northern Region of the Northwestern Athletic Conference and placed in the top eight at the NWAC Championship. We worked hard every day, sometimes practicing up to four hours a day. A lot of people have asked what we are doing to practice as a team while being safe and conscious of COVID-19 guidelines.
Fall in Bellingham is truly a great experience, there are many fun and unique events to enjoy and the great outdoors is beautiful this time of year. However, this season most in-person activities and events have been cancelled, according to the Bellingham.org website.
The Pandemic may have struck a blow on the usual bonanza of local events around Whatcom County, but luckily many local organizations have pulled together to create some safe ways to celebrate. Stony Ridge, Bellewood Acres, Bellingham Farmers Market, SeaFeast, and local churches are just some of the many instigators of alternative events.
Earlier this year, WCC was forced to move online for classes due to Covid-19. After two full quarters and a dramatic change in class structure, what do the students and staff at WCC prefer? Online or in person classes?
“In person! Connecting and creating a dynamic, shared learning space is easier when we’re face to face.” answered Melanie Sehman, an Associate Professor who has been working at WCC since 2013.
“With in-person classes, it’s easier to provide immediate feedback for students and answer questions right away.” she explains.
Whatcom has officially introduced a Hall of Fame to honor its former athletes, coaches and teams athletic and societal excellence.
The college has opened the door for nominations to be considered by their own selection committee. Danny Day, the current Athletic Director at WCC spoke about his inspiration to form the Hall of Fame.
“Just trying to find the best way we can honor all those alumni and past coaches or contributors through orca athletics.” Day said.
At Whatcom Community College, the athletic department is working hard through the pandemic to prepare for the upcoming sports season. Players and coaches are working closely together to remain competitive in the Northwest Athletic Conference while also keeping player safety a top priority. In an email to WCC Horizon, Head Women’s Soccer Coach Mary Schroeder described some of the issues of continuing to work through a global pandemic.
Schroeder explained how her team was “excited about the opportunity to get some practices in this fall” and described the parameters in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which includes athletes being allowed to train in group of up to 6 players, wearing masks and staying socially distanced unless they are participating in strenuous activity.
