As a journalist, it is my job to keep the public informed about what is taking place.
These are indeed frightening times, but this is also a learning process for everyone.
As a student at West Virginia University and a sports journalist, it has been a rough couple of months for me as I and others prepare to face a challenging task coming later in the fall. The greatest accomplishment for all students in the fall will be making the return to campus.
West Virginia University has placed new guidelines for students and staff to make the return to campus in the fall. It will not be a normal school year.
- Before returning to campus students will have to test for COVID-19.
- Students and staff members will be required to wear masks at all times while on campus.
- Fall Break for students has been canceled.
- Students will not make a return to campus after Thanksgiving holiday break.
- Fall semester exams will be conducted online.
Back When Life was Normal
As March rolled around, I was preparing to make the trip to Charleston for the West Virginia State High School Basketball Tournaments. As many may already know, I cover high school sports across the state for WVMetroNews and LedeNews.
I was a freshman in college who was already getting the professional experience, I was so excited to cover two full tournaments.
I made my way down to the capital and spent two days covering the girls’ tournament, but by mid-day of Day Two I was informed that the championships would be postponed until further notice.
Immediately, I thought about the seniors who would possibly never be able to put the uniform back on or to ever have closure to their careers. When the announcement was made at the Charleston Civic Center the whole venue became emotional and quiet. It became a whole different story after the announcement.
I then traveled back to Morgantown and began to pack up for spring break. Later in the evening, I received a memo from staff members at the University that students may not be able to return after break. I was devastated.
I packed as much as I could for the trip back home; then I called up a few of my friends and took them out to dinner and broke the news. These friends were from around the country, not just West Virginia. We grew a bond during the few months we had with each other, and it turned into something special.
That evening I finished packing and found a ride back to New Martinsville. I returned home knowing that many of my personal belongings were locked away in a dorm room in Morgantown, and I couldn’t get them back until the University allowed students back on campus.
A few weeks ago I received an email stating that students could get their belongings. I then immediately went back to get everything I had left. Also, the WVSSAC has recently released a guideline schedule for schools to follow for the upcoming fall sports season. Student-athletes are currently practicing in Phase 1.
Now that close to three months have gone by, here we are as a country trying to transition back to what we had months ago.
