Football team practicing for delayed season

The spread of COVID-19 has threatened the participation in sports throughout NCAA. Teams are taking measures to make sure their players can still practice and look forward to competing soon. The Johnnie football team is being very cautious with their rules.

Head Coach Gary Fasching is keeping his team in small practice pods whether it is for strength and conditioning workouts or at practice. The team was split into small groups of similar positions and created several different practice times were created in order to limit exposure as much as possible. Players are masked up at all times, even when wearing helmets.

“They use the locker room in shifts, and they do not use the showers, so we are eliminating contact as much as possible” Fasching said.

These rules may seem strict, but it is the to the players, these are just small sacrifices being made to continue to do what they these players love. These rules are set for the football team, but all students should follow them. Fasching believes the entire school should follow these rules; and not just for the football team, but for the rest of the school as well.

“If we want the school year to continue without any disruptions, that is what we have to do. We are going to have to give up some of the things that we normally like to do to protect ourselves and the rest of the Saint John’s and St. Ben’s communities.” Fasching said.

The team is taking every precaution to keep the players safe as well as the rest of the school.

Senior defensive linemen, Dom Nussmeir, had an idea of what this season would look like but credits the coaches for making this unprecedented time feel as closest to normal as possible.

“I believe the coaches have done their absolute best to put us in a position to have a [normal feel] to the season but obviously it’s tough as the fall season was postponed and playoffs were cancelled. Personally, I’m just trying to be careful of the situations I put myself in and do my best to assure we have a resemblance of a season in the spring and everyone can stay on campus this year.” Nussmeir said.

Outside players are told to stay away from any places that could result in the potential of exposure.

When speaking of the rules outside of practice, Senior Quarterback Chris Backes said spoke about the rules outside of practice.

“Abide by school rules, stay away from bars, stay away from house parties, stay away from large gatherings especially inside, mask up, socially distance, follow the rules of the CDC,” Bakkes said.

The team is built upon a system of trust system and player accountability. It shows the true grit and determination of the players and how desperately they want to stay on campus and have some resemblances to a season.

Backes believes that not going out to bars and house parties is just a small sacrifice. “Be selfless, it is one of the core values of CSB/SJU. Think of others. Sacrifice yourself for the betterment of the community, not just for yourself but for professors and administrators as well,” Bakkes said.