Mariallen Moore
News Editor
All Mississippi University for Women sports have been canceled for the remainder of the spring semester because of the outbreak of the new coronavirus COVID-19.
Neither practices nor games will continue for the remainder of the semester. This cancellation will have an impact not only on sports that are played in the spring, but on fall sports as well.
The NCAA Division III, the governing body of MUW Athletics, has announced to every NCAA university that traditional spring sports will receive a waiver for participation. This means that student athletes in traditional spring sports will not be charged with a season of participation. This gives these athletes the ability to be eligible for another season.
“This is great news, and I applaud the NCAA for their leadership and hard work during this difficult time,” Jason Trufant, Director of Athletics, stated.
As Athletic Director and The W’s current softball coach, Trufant sent an email announcement to senior softball players, including Madison Fields, and other athletes with the news of what was originally a suspension of the season that would later turn into an indefinite suspension.
“Initially, there was sadness knowing that everything I worked for was over in that moment,” Fields, a history major, said. “That email ended my career.”
Fields has played softball all four years of college, first at Holmes Community College and then at The W. While she was devastated with the news at first, she knows that this decision was for the best.
“I’m thankful for my time playing softball and for my time at The W,” Fields concluded.
Softball is not the only sport that has been impacted by the pandemic that has struck the state and the entire country.
Student athletes across all sports are upset, angry and devastated. This cancellation has not only impacted students but also coaches and other staff involved with athletics on campus.
“Words cannot express how devastated we all are for our student athletes, staff and campus community,” Trufant stated. “However, the right decision was made, and we are all moving forward to provide the necessary help and resources for our entire department.”
The future of sports in the fall season is also in question as the spring practices are indefinitely postponed. Though next semester is uncertain, coaches want the athletes to remain at the top of their game.
“The biggest thing is to reassure everyone and let them know it's OK, but keep working, don’t take things off,” said Matt Wolfenbarger, head baseball coach at MUW. “Make sure that they are prepared for the next season.”