On March 12, 2020, the NCAA made its decision to terminate all spring sports championships, ending student-athletes hope for a national championship due to the coronavirus.

Challenges occurred as the summer progressed and the NCAA came to the same conclusion for fall championships 146 days later.

As students gather for their third week back, athletes hope to salvage spring sports championships in the hope to return to play next semester.

In order to execute on these hopes, student-athletes need to comply with protocols set forth by Quincy University.

Daily requirements include the following: COVID-19 Daily Self-Check form, a temperature is taken, and wearing a mask.

Marty Bell, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, is in his 14th year directing the Quincy University athletic department.

Bell is part of a plan to remain vigilant with the assigned protocols and procedures and insists on consistent compliance from everyone on campus.

“If that can be accomplished, then I see no reason why we should not be able to remain on campus, have competitive seasons for every sports program, and provide the quality student-athlete experience that was anticipated for everyone,” Bell said.

There have only been three positive COVID cases upon students arriving on campus and zero new cases as of August 17th.

Multiple student-athletes experienced COVID-19 during the summer but have since recovered, Senior John Hurayt falling into that category.

“Give students the choice to wear a mask or not at their own risk and let the virus take its course,” Hurayt said. “There’s a reason why every year people say it’s “flu” season and we should treat it just as such.”

There is no time table for how long this process may last.

“All of the protocols that are in place for student-athletes are based on a document created for the NCAA by the Sports Science Institute,” Bell said. “This system will stay in place until the SSI document is changed, amended, or discontinued.”

Recovery was smooth sailing for Hurayt, as he identified and compared it to getting over the flu.

“Daily requirements of getting our temperature and symptoms checked are understandable as they want to know the process and any spread of the disease, but the daily wearing of masks and extra precautions make little sense,” Hurayt said. “I was wearing a mask everywhere every day when I got COVID so it obviously isn’t working.”

QU President Brian McGee, PhD., thinks the student body has done a great job of following these rules coming back to campus as discussed on QUTV News.

“If I’m going to deal with a pandemic, I’d rather do it in Western Illinois and where my family and community is than do it half way across the continent in my adopted city of Charleston, South Carolina,” McGee stated. “I’m happy to be here and happy to be a Hawk!”