Timeout: an athlete's guide to COVID-19

an at h l et e' s g u i d e t o COVID-1 9 St ay i n g SA FE: ADVICE FOR ATHLETES FROM A DOCTOR

IN FORM ATION ABOUT FIVE OF THE SPORTS YOU KNOW AND LOVE DURING THE GLOBAL PAN DEM IC

Th e COA CHING Per sp ect i v e: INSIGHT FROM COLLEGE AND MLB COACHES/STAFF ABOUT SPORTS AND COVID-19

Tabl e of Mar io Let t er , Feat ur eAr t icl e,

Leo Let t er , Feat ur e Ar t icl e, and

Ramona Let t er , Feat ur e Ar t icl e,

and ASF

ASF

and ASF

Pages 3 - 10

Pages 11 - 18

Pages 19-26

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Cont ent s Jai Let t er , Feat ur e Ar t icl e, and

Sanchit Let t er , Feat ur e Ar t icl e, and

ASF

ASF

Pages 27-32

Pages 33-40

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Footbal l

Mar io B ellavia Features Editor M ario Bellavia is in his freshman year of high school at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy and is 15 years old. H e loves to play basketball and ultimate frisbee, hang with friends, and watch football. Although he likes to read and write, M ario prefers science as his favorite subject and enjoys learning about space and astronomy. M ario chose COVID- 19 and football as his feature article topic because he feels that throughout the pandemic, sports have never been more important. H e believes that sports, especially football, have the potential to bring people closer together even while they are far apart.

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Let 's t ak e a t r ip t h r ou gh t h e NFL's

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COVID-19 scr een in g an d pr ocedu r es!

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Cat ch t he bal l , Not Cov id Th e Ef f ect s o f COVID-1 9 o n Fo o t b al l

By Mario Bellavia

he sun shines down brightly on the perfectly cut grass. A crowd that once roared, cheered and whistled whenever a touchdown was scored is only a distant memory in the minds of the players. The game still goes on though, and eager fans who wish they could be in the stadium are forced to watch the games from their TVs, miles away from the action.

As the most popular and most-watched sport in the United States of America, football has proved to not be immune to COVID-19. Like many other sports this 7 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

d

year, football became vulnerable to schedule changes, team facility closures, and loss of fans at games.

College and high school football teams have also had to adapt to the unpredictable and unprecedented conditions of the pandemic. Losing

"M any no longer take for granted that sports will always be there... the pandemic may have put sports back into into the proper perspective for many people," - Bryan Crews fans has had a huge impact on NFL teams financially. With no ticket, concession and parking sales, many NFL teams will lose millions of dollars. Players across all levels of play had the option to opt out this football season.

?I think the desire to play and watch sports may have increased.

Many no longer take for granted that sports will always be there. At the same time, the pandemic may have put sports back into proper perspective for many people.? said Bryan Crews, LASA Athletic Coordinator

and football coach.

Sixty-seven NFL players chose to sit out this season, including some more notable players such as Dont?a Hightower of the New England Patriots and Damien Williams of the Kansas City Chiefs. College football has also experienced problems of its own. This college football season has featured numerous disruptions across all conferences which has resulted in more than 114 games being postponed or canceled due to COVID-19.

Many people forget that pro and college football teams are not the only teams that are affected. High school football teams have to deal with many of the same problems, only on a smaller and more local scale. Sports reporters have also faced challenges and new circumstances, not only with the sports that they report on, but also how they do their jobs.

?Football is still football, so when

masks and distancing while the players are not playing football, doing health screenings as the players enter the facility, and having the players bring their own water

3 jugs with them to practice.? Crews said.

High school football teams throughout the nation have had to start following similar protocols designed to keep players safe.

Because of these safety regulations, many high schools haven?t seen an outbreak or significant community spread after football games and practices.

Players and coaches have to continue to go out of their way to stay safe. Sports relieve stress, and help everyone cope with the challenges in the world, as well as help fans, coaches and athletes see the normal in the world and that is what people need right now.

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we're on the field, there is little that has changed. But there are many protocols that I've never had to deal with such as enforcing

?The most interesting change I?ve noticed from teams is how they strategically travel to games ?

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spacing players out on 4-5 buses, instead of packing them into two.

And for colleges, they?ve developed

"Teams... strategically travel to games ? spacing out players on 4- 5 buses, instead of packing them into two," - Jeff Jones

seating charts for airplane travel, to make sure a potential positive test on the f light doesn?t sideline an entire position group,? said Jeff Jones, a sports director, reporter and anchor for KVUE News.

Socially distant transportation is just one of the many adaptations teams have to make. Developing seating charts for f lights and buses also helps with contact tracing. At the lower levels, safety can be as simple as self-control and protocol.

to offer our student athletes the opportunity to compete. Many students chose not to compete in athletics this year and that is completely understandable. We will welcome them back whenever the time is right for them and their family,? Crews said.

5 within the football team and usually a canceled or postponed game. None of the players or coaches want these schedule disruptions to happen which encourages everyone to follow protocols and do what is needed to keep playing.

?I think pro football has handled the pandemic better than college football, but with only 32 teams to deal with, it?s easier to make uniform decisions that apply to everyone ? in college, we saw a different decision for every conference. I understand why that was the case, but it got confusing at times.? Jones said. In college football, some conferences decided to delay the start of the season and three conferences, the Mountain West, Mid-American Conference and the Pac-12 had

?[The Vandegrift football team] have done a good job handling it, they understand the importance of masks and social distancing and following all of our rules. I think all of us are extremely happy that we are playing and willing to do what is necessary to keep each other safe to keep playing.?

Paul Muck, the head freshman football coach for Vandegrift High School said.

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"Having less fans is different, but the players play for each other more than anything, so I don't think it has an impact other than the atmosphere is a bit different," - Paul M uck eligibility to play their sport. For college players that opted out, this provides another opportunity to play in another future season.

?I think having less fans is different, but the players play for each other more than anything, so I don?t think it has an impact other than the atmosphere is a bit different,? Muck said.

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their 2020 seasons canceled.

Failure to follow the rules could potentially lead to an outbreak

Many of the players that opted out chose to do so to protect themselves and their family. Next year, college players will have another year of

?I'm happy that we have been able

One of the more significant changes to football this year was the loss of fans.

Stadiums that were once filled with the sounds of cheering and music

have now fallen silent. Because of this, there is no home-field advantage anymore and both teams play under equal circumstances. ?I?m not sure if the importance of sports has changed, but people were reminded how much they value that stress-reliever. Having a game that you look forward to, gives you something to ?circle on your calendar?every, single week. Sports bring people together and strengthen relationships- that?s always been true, but I think those truths are valued more now,? Jones said.

If everyone can wear masks, social distance, and follow the other CDC guidelines, players and fans will be able to circle a game on their calendars in the near future.

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Images: 1. Football players line up at the line of scrimmage. (Photo courtesy of unsplash.com. Photo by Muyuan Ma.) 2. Jeff Jones reports on football news at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Jones.)

3. Football players pile on top of one another while making a tackle. (Photo courtesy of unsplash.com. Photo by Keith Johnston.)

4. A wide receiver catches the football for a touchdown. (Photo courtesy of unsplash.com. Photo by Chris Chow.)

5. High school football coach for Vandegrift High School stands for a photo. (Photo courtesy of Vandegrift High School.)

6. A player holds his helmet at his side. (Photo coutesy of unsplash.com. Photo by Ben Hershey.)

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soccer

Leo Schaub Content Editor Leo Schaub is a 14 year old attending LASA H igh School located in T exas, USA. H e enjoys computer science and playing soccer. Also, his hobbies include playing video games and dog taming.

H e chose the sport of soccer because it is the only sport he plays and truly knows about. H e saw what could happen to the soccer community globally and wanted to do research to learn more.

H e was intrigued to see how Covid had altered the current state of his favorite sport.

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All You Need To Know About Pr ofessional Champions League and MLS Soccer Teams Befor e and After Covid-19

By Leo Schaub

Pr e-Covid: Manchester United is a ver y well put together Champions League soccer team.

They have many of the best player s in the wor ld playing for their team. Up until r ecently, they had a win-str eak of over 300 games which is immaculate compar ing to the other teams in their division.

MU gener ated ar ound 796.4 Million USD in 2019.

Photo Cr edit : Pixbay. Old Tr affor d Stadium dur ing Game

The Women's Unite States soccer team has a ver y well str uctur ed and confident set of player s. Many of their player s ar e becoming veter ans to the game but that does not mean that they will quit playing. In fact, the United States Women's team won the Women's Wor ld Cup in 2019.

United States Women's Team 2019 Fiscal Year : $34M Photo Cr edit: Pixbay. United States theme soccer ball

BvB has gr eat composur e and focus dur ing their games. They ar e a wor th Rival of Bayer n Munich, another popular and well composed soccer team.

BvB Gener ated ar ound $677Million Dollar s in the 2019 Fiscal Yr. Photo Cr edit: Pixbay. Flag of the Bor ussia Dor tmund Soccer Team 13 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

All You Need To Know About Pr ofessional Champions League and MLS Soccer Teams Befor e and After Covid-19 Dur ing-Covid Manchester United has a slight dip in their income due to Covid-19. Although, they still have made a tr emendous amount of r evenue. The r eason they ar e only slightly br uised is because they ar e the most valuable team in England. They ar e well known and the best team by far. So in conclusion, even though that the fans do not have to pay money for tickets, they boost the viewer count on the channel and the team gains r evenue fr om ther e.

MU gener ated ar ound 655 Million USD in 2020 Photo Cr edit: Pixbay. Old Tr affor d Stadium Empty.

The Women's USA Soccer team has made significantly less income in the year of 2020. This is most likely due to the non-equal pay between men and women AND they didn't get the ear nings of a wor ld cup.

This year they have ear ned $1.95M. If the viewer s can't attend their soccer games they ar e less likely to attend the TV Channel that str eams these games

Women's USA team gener ated ar ound 1.95M in the 2020 fiscal year.

Photo Cr edit: Pixbay. Pictur e of the 2018 Wor ld Cup Cup on a stage of money.

BvB's Ear nings have mor e or less stayed the same. Although at the cur r ent point in time they ar e $100M behind compar ed to last year , the year of 2020 has not concluded.

This is most likely due to a similar r eason like Manchester United's. They ar e a ver y popular team in the MLS League and ar e one of the highest placed teams is most competitions. They have a lar ge fanbase that will pay lar ge amounts of money to watch them play.

BvB Gener ated 577 Million Dollar s 2020 Photo Cr edit: Pixbay. Child wear ing jejr sy BvB

Sources: soccertoday.com nytimes.com https://pixabay.com/ encycolorpedia.com 14 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

SOCCERINTHEFACEOFCOVID- 19 How t hecommunit y is af f ect ed and how it wil l r espond

By Leo Schaub

people for a team, we are very

occer is the

other side of the scale, there

scarce of students."

most popular

is professional soccer held

From the drastic results, we can

sport in the

in massive stadiums.

assume that the only justification

world. It is

I talked to two mid-scale high

for the scarcity is COVID-19.

most favored

school coaches;

in South America and Europe. Soccer has over 3 billion fans that are all arranged around the globe!

This sport has many different lax fields, physically and branch-wise. On one side of the soccer solemnity scale, there is simple street soccer, and on the

After contacting a coach in the

After asking about the current

AISD District, I asked him about

roster compared to previous

how things are going overall and

year's rosters, Chad Aldrich, the

what is actually taking place, he

girls soccer coach for a school in

told me that they are resuming

the Leander School district said,

practices without masks. James

"We don't even have a roster,

Baker, a high school boys soccer

there aren't enough players for

coach in AISD also said that he

even a minimum amount of

has had some parents attempt and succeed to remove their kid from the school sport.

Unfortunately, this is happening all around the country. Schools are mixed between allowing sports within their schools or just

In our country

locking down one-hundred percent, but what is happening outside of the country?

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But, what is happening outside the country?

Professional soccer teams frequently travel all over the world, so how do they not contract in

for handling this pandemic. The U.S.

numbers due to the virus? The

team, like our country, is aware of

answer is: they do. But, their large

the dangers that the coronavirus

array of bench players and

poses, but is not careful because they

semi-professionals come to their

that know their team is replaceable.

rescue when the front lines fall.

For the most part, the team's players are safe from the coronavirus. In the League this had made a massive difference. Due to

These larger teams are stiffer

On the other hand, Dortmund is

than puny school teams. Teams

super cautious. Their players are

like Manchester United and Real

some of the best in the world and

Madrid are the exact opposite of

they cannot afford to have them

the type of team that Aldrich

sub or quit. Dortmund's players

coaches. These cast-iron, stable

comply with the forced safety

teams are able to travel

rules that their team is placing on

everywhere because their players

them, such as masks at all times

are replaceable. Massive

out in public, wearing gloves in

professional teams like Man. U,

public, and only leaving your

U.S National Team, and BvB

foundation when necessary.

the fact that Dortmund's players are all comfortable with each other, their winnings have been positively impacted. The others teams are playing at their worst, since their best players are being benched.

Dortmund's progress has continually allowed them to outshine the other teams.

Dortmund have very dissimilar courses of action

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Mor e How t hecommunit y is af f ect ed and how it wil l r espond

Let's take a look at the U.S.'

Finally, Manchester United. This

Women's team. Currently, they

team has been the best team that

are allegedly the best women's,

has ever player in Europe since

team in the world. They won the

the 1990s. This team had a win

Women's world cup in 2019.

streak of 319 games tracking

Unfortunately, the players that

back to mid 2018 until they

played during the WC are now

recently lost it with a tie.

too old to play and/or sick with

Different from other teams,

Covid-19. The major issue

Manchester United generated

caused the entire Women's team

even more money than they did

to scatter and their performance

the previous year.

plummeted to the ground.

The previous summer season they were within the bottom three teams

Both the USA Women's team and

in the league. That's a major

Dortmund both lost in profit due

downfall for such a successful

to the virus. But, due to

team. Of course, part of the reason

Manchester United's sheer

was that some of their best players

massiveness and popularity, they

had retired, but that alone shouldn't

weren't fractured by this

have made such a large impact to

pandemic at all. In fact, they

show these negative results. This is

benefited from it. Manchester

only happening because their other

United doesn't go to such great

A-team players were ejected from

lengths to protect themselves

the team because they were sick

from the virus.

with COVID. 17 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

The only reason that they are still at the top of the league is because all of the good players want to play for Manchester United. It's only natural that MU is going to act as a magnet to the good players if they are the best team.

Although, soccer is the most loved sport globally, players and

"...there aren't

coaches still have to assure the safety of the team. That includes wearing masks at games, or maybe not even going to games at all. All in all it is the community's

enough players for even a minimum amount of people

responsibility to keep everybody safe.

for a team.."

-Chad Aldrich

Safety

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basebal l

Ramona Gonzalez Ramona Gonzalez is 14 years old, and a freshman at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin, T exas.

She enjoys playing any outdoor sports, but she mostly plays soccer and softball and runs cross country. She enjoys keeping up with the N BA team the San Antonio Spurs and the M LB team the San Francisco Giants in her free time.

She chose COVID and Baseball as her individual topic because she was interested in seeing the differences of Baseball between 2019 and 2020. She chose this magazine topic because she has always loved sports and she wanted to learn more about the impact of the pandemic on her favorite sports.

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BASEBALL

VERSUS

Sources - Tony Reale, San Francisco Giant PT - Dr. Elena Ruiz, MD, Bee Caves Pediatrics - sportingnews.com

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t o i

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The Ef f ect s of COVID- 19 on Amer ica's Favor it e Past ime w h y p l ay er s f i n d t h at t h e m o st co m m o n b ase i s at h o m e

By: Ramona Gonzalez

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T g

S c s s p p p a p r a g w

lue stretches overhead; not a cloud in the sky. Dirt and dust is f lung into the air as the batter gets situated in between the two thick, white lines of the batter?s box. The score is tied up. It?s full count ? three balls and two strikes - with two outs, bases loaded, bottom of the ninth inning - ? . No pressure.

I really do believe that sports should continue, and I believe that it is the best way and a big part of

no lack of fans following Major League Baseball in 2019. But now, in the middle of the pandemic, a lot has changed.

The Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) Pandemic has had huge impacts on all people, places, and events. The MLB has been affected

by COVID-19, losing over $7 billion in one year. Unlike the NBA and other sports associations, MLB didn?t put teams in ?bubbles? and had followed fewer COVID restrictions in general, as an attempt to avoid losing more money. However, the price of that decision was high.

Several times, MLB experienced players contracting COVID, causing them to have to cancel games or shut down.

letting people know that some things are normal.

- Tyler Kepner

This year, instead of going to a live game, we are stuck with livestreaming.

Sports are a huge part of our American culture. Many people are involved in sports, and whether they are playing sports or watching sports, they are still part of them. ?America?s favorite pastime? - baseball - is the second-most played sport in the United States. There are over 800 major league baseball players in the MLB, and millions of fans root for a team. With over 30,000 attendees at the average major league game - not to mention all those at home watching games on television - there was

Since being shut down in the early spring, the MLB has placed tighter restrictions on its teams in order to prevent another shutdown. ?You can?t go out, ? not to bars, restaurants, anything ? and you have to stay in the bubble. The bubble entails that each team that could potentially make the playoffs has to rent out an entire hotel and you can?t go out and nobody else can come in for seven days,? said Tony Reale, Major League Physical Therapist for the

San Francisco Giants.

Of course, the pandemic has affected a lot of people and the way that jobs can be performed, and sports is no exception. Reale?s job as a physical therapist is usually hands-on and can take hours per player. Reale now has to treat the players in really short sessions to limit exposure, compared to his previous hour-long sessions. His day has ?definitely gotten at least three hours longer,? but it is the right thing to do. Reale has not only had to rearrange his furniture in his office to keep everyone safe, but he has also had to rearrange his daily routine. ?At the start of the day everyone is required to do an at-home screening and take our temperature.

We follow the typical Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements: everyone is masked, I wear gloves, get tested often and of course, I clean all the time,? Reale said.

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On the opposite side of the United States, in Wilton, Connecticut, Tyler Kepner, the national baseball writer for The New York Times has also had to alter the way he works.

Pre-COVID, Kepner would usually attend about 2 or 3 games a week. Now he is forced to f lip through the different channels and games from his TV and hop on and off Zoom conferences to get interviews. This year is his 21st

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year of writing and reporting baseball for The New York Times, and the first year he isn?t reporting in person. ?The only way we can talk and report now is through Zoom and it can be tricky. When on the Zoom, nobody is really able to write your own questions and talk by yourself, because really, now someone asks the question and everyone uses that information,?

Kepner said.

St. Edward?s University, located in Austin, Texas, reveals the effects of Coronavirus on baseball on a more local scale.

Coach Rob Penders has been the head coach of the St. Ed's Hilltoppers for 14 years. He acknowledges that this is by far the most different year of coaching college baseball and working with this team, as there are many restrictions placed on the players and the game. ?We can't play games this fall. We can practice, but we are limited to 25 players at a time right now on the field. We carry 63 players so we have to space out practices accordingly,? Penders said.

Although Penders says, even as strict as it is now, it is better than it was in the early fall. When the pandemic first

hit, the team was unable to use any balls or bats, but now they can do so if wearing masks at all times and by conducting biweekly testing of all members of the team. The team still holds all non-physical meetings over Zoom.

One of Penders? players explains how COVID-19 affects his baseball and school routine. ?There are a lot of differences. COVID-19 has lengthened my day since we have to be in smaller groups.

COVID-19 has also made it difficult to gather; we are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Anytime we have a team meeting that is not practice it is always through zoom,? said Morgan Allen, a junior at St. Edward?s and a shortstop for the Hilltoppers.

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Baseball teams from all levels have been affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Even children?s teams.

Parents and young athletes have had quite a struggle deciding whether or not it is worth the risk to get back to the field. Dr. Elena Ruiz, M.D., attending physician and co-owner of Bee Caves Pediatrics in Austin, Texas, has insight on the pandemic, as well as on the importance of sports in young children?s lives. At Bee Caves, COVID-19 has altered some of their medical routines.

One of the biggest changes to the

25 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

practice is using telemedicine, an option to get medical advice through a face call with your pediatrician. Ruiz explains that if the patients cannot be evaluated properly via telemedicine, she examines them in full PPE from their car.

Despite her work in the medical field and dealing with Coronavirus, she still believes that sports can [safely] continue with the right precautions and limitations in place.

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According to Ruiz, ?There are many different aspects and factors that go into the safety of a sport. Whether it is

Because of all at stake, players are willing to go the extra mile. They are all in it together to stay safe and continue to play.

- Tony Reale individual or team, fifteen minutes or an hour, outside or inside, no travel or travel, face masks or no face masks; they all work hand-in-hand on a spectrum of safe to higher risk. I

sports.?

6 Advice From A Doctor:

How to Stay Safe as an Athlete Athletes should stay at least six feet apart when possible Athletes should avoid sharing food and drink, huddling close, high-fiving etc.

Athletes should avoid indoor spaces and high contact sports Athletes should wear a cloth face covering at times where there is no physical activity Athletes should always tell a coach or parent when not feeling 100% Athletes should wash hands frequently Athletes should be aware of underlying health condition that they have

would say that golf or running [maybe baseball] is pretty low, where wrestling, football, and basketball are pretty high risk.?

Ruiz added: ?Sports play a big role in both the physical and mental health of our kids, and we should be thinking about ways to safely get kids back into

For children and teens, sports can help with concentration, mood, and most mental skills that help growth. And for all of us, sports can help improve our mental health by reducing stress and depression from any challenges from daily life to help us continue to grow.

COVID-19 has been quite stressful and has had a huge impact on all of us. And it has changed the way sports can

They have to really set limits because they are trying to be as safe as possible with this. I definitely respect that.

- Tyler Kepner be played and the lives of its players.

So, playing a sport in the middle of a worldwide pandemic? Maybe there is a little pressure - maybe even more than a count of three balls, two strikes, and two outs, but, you win some and lose some. And right now, in the middle of these rough times, we have rewritten the definition of ?win.? A win like no other this year would be to have the ability to get back on the field safely.

Images: 1. ) Intro aerial picture of Baseball Stadium pre-COVID. (Photo by Tim Gouw, Photo Courtesy of Unsplash.com) 2.) Morgan Allen, a junior majoring in math at St. Edward?s University, is the shortstop for the Hilltoppers with a .293 batting average, and a .402 on base percentage. Morgan Allen takes a lead off from 1st base as he watches the pitcher release the ball in Austin, Texas. (Photo courtesy of Morgan Allen and St. Edward?s University Baseball Team).

3.) Coach Rob Penders has been the head coach of the college baseball team for St. Edward?s University for 14 years in Austin, Texas. (Photo courtesy of Rob Penders).

4.) Tony Reale, has been the San Francisco Giants Head Physical Therapist for over five years now. He goes to the Giant?s games and helps the injured players before, during, and after the games. He was quarantined with the team during the playoffs on September 29, 2020. (Photo by Tony Reale, Photo Courtesy of Tony Reale).

5.) Tyler Kepner has been the National Baseball Reporter for M.L.B New York Times for 21 years now. This year is his first year not being able to go to all of the games and being able to conduct in person interviews with the players. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Kepner).

6.) Dr. Elena Ruiz, M.D., has been in pediatric practice for over 19 years. She currently is Attending Physician and Co-Owner of Bee Caves Pediatrics in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Deborah Mathison).

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Gol f

Jai N agaraj Gr aphic Design Editor Jai N agaraj is a freshman at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin, T exas. H e won the Journalism Education Association Superior Rating Award in 2018 for broadcast journalism. W hen he's not doing anything school- related, you can find him editing his fantasy football lineup, at the driving range, or playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (he mains Ken, if you wanted to know). T he game of golf was his first sport, and has been in his family for three generations. W hen the editors decided to put together a magazine about sports in COVID- 19, he opted to explore the municipal courses at Austin - where he first learned to play.

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Getting to Know...

by Jai Nagaraj

With 7 different municipal courses to choose from in Austin each with its own rich history, let's take a look at the backstories of GolfATX.

Lions is truly an old soul of Texas with a lot of history behind it. Located near downtown Austin at a stunning 96 years of age, it became the first municipal course (hence its nickname "muny"). Lions has hosted many of the great golfers, including Ben Crenshaw, Sandra Haynie, and Ben Hogan. It was one of the first desegregated courses in the South and sits in the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.

Hancock is even older than Lions, founded in 1899 by former mayor of Austin Lewis Hancock, north of UT Austin. It was the second municipal course of Austin, and served as the course that famed UT golf coach Harvey Penick used to start his career.

Morris Williams was the third addition to GolfATX, founded in 1964 and designed by Leon Howard in Northeast Austin.

This course is named after terrific golfer Morris Williams Jr., who had won every trophy in the Austin area. Though he died in a tragic jet plane crash in the Korean War, his name still lives on here.

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GOLFATX Jimmy Clay Golf Course was opened in 1974 in Southeast Austin and designed by Joe Finger, being the fourth municipal course of Austin. It was heavily renovated in 2007 with the addition of water, an island green on three holes and a replanting of all greens and bunkers, and then again in 2015 where 4 greens were reshaped. Additionally, its driving range included an elevated hitting area and larger targets.

Roy Kizer is the fowl-filled twin course of Jimmy Clay. Its 36 acres of lakes and land are home to ducks, swans, geese, and other plant and wildlife. Its addition in 1994 not only made it the fifth addition to GolfATX, but also created the 36-hole Clay/Kizer complex. Kizer was named after long-time golf superintendent Roy Kizer (1937-1973), who was famous for his support of youth golf in Austin.

Grey Rock is the most recent course added to the city courses in 2014. Located in Southwest Austin and designed by Jay Morrish in 1992, Grey Rock features not only a 160 acre 18 hole golf course and range, but also a tennis club, grill, and wedding services.

This 4-hole, par 3 short course at the Clay/Kizer complex means a lot more than meets the eye. It was designed by Randy Russell in 1974 along with Jimmy Clay to be a practice course, but also named after Joe Balander, the former Head Golf Professional.

He created multiple programs to support and kickstart junior and women's golf, such as learning centers, tournaments, teams, and more. He also aided the construction of Roy Kizer.

He passed away in 2005, but the course isn't going anywhere.

Sources: - austintexas.gov - golftexas.com - greyrockgolfandtennis.com

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Image 1

A look at t he 14t h hole of Morris William s m unicipal golf course in downt own Aust in, Texas ( Phot o court esy of t he Cit y of Aust in - Parks & Recreat ion Depart m ent ) .

For e!

The impact of Covid-19 on Golf in Austin Story by Jai Nagaraj

31 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

hanks to a special friend called a worldwide pandemic, golf has taken Austin by storm.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing since the coronavirus outbreak ? shutdowns, health and safety risks, and more have

given Austin's public golf courses and its respective community quite the roller-coaster ride.

distancing," said Enrique Varela, the Senior Assistant Attorney General. "Everywhere you went to play, the tee times [at non-municipal courses] were booked because the municipal courses were shut down. It pretty much killed my playing rounds during that time period."

However, the shutdown was not without reason. Kimberly McNeeley, director of the Parks and Recreation Department at Austin, explains the process and collaboration with the University of Texas at Austin and the Austin public health department to assess a tricky situation like this.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of Austinites had f locked to the city's public courses and ranges, learning the game to get some fresh air and keep their "The University of Texas provides minds active.

Brandon Whitman, U.S. us with estimates and something However, with that Kids Golf Professional Golf that is going to happen in the many people in one Association (PGA) teaching future and they would do some place, the hubbub professional for Grey modeling based upon different became a hot spot Rock Golf predictors," McNeeley says. "And for airborne diseases Course, was also through those conversations with to spread. With disappointed by the Dr. Escott [Austin Public Health's Austin's case sudden shutdown, EMS System medical director] numbers especially the second. and with the director of Public increasing daily in the months of Health, "We closed February and March, the Austin Stephanie down again Parks and Recreation Department Hayden, the July 3 for 6 along with the Austin public Parks and "We closed down again weeks.

That health department decided to shut Recreation July 3 for six weeks. That part was more down all municipal golf courses Department frustrating part was more twice ? once in March and then presents a than the first frustrating than the first again in early August in number of time to me.

I accordance with the COVID stage scenarios and a time to me" think a lot of of the city. A few new rules were number of aj) were people agar N i a added to the courses upon ideas of what it

by J closed, then it hot o P ( reopening for the safety of is that they started - Brandon W hitman everyone. would like to opening back [close]."

Of course, many players weren't up a little bit, too happy about the shutdown. "I but the second Hospitalizations, positivity rate, was a little bummed out, just time, when the other golf and ICU beds available are some because we had already gone courses were open and stuff, we of the factors that determine the through one system shutdown and stayed closed, because it was shutdown of certain public it seemed to work, where they just this city policy," Whitman amenities, according to McNeeley. were allowing people to walk and said.

In addition, she recognizes the manage their own social

A panoram ic view of t he 10t h green at Grey Rock Golf Club in Aust in, Texas ( Phot o by Jai Nagaraj ) .

32 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

criticism she may face in the golf community when the department makes a crucial decision.

balls were disinfected."

Meanwhile, many other precautions were put in place for the safety of the players throughout the courses. "I felt that it was safe, and the way they Kim berly McNeeley, Direct or of t he Parks and Recreat ion Depart m ent at t he Cit y of Aust in ( Phot o court esy of t he Cit y handled their of Aust in - Parks & Recreat ion Depart m ent ) . policies and procedures While Whitman was out on a golf were pretty good. For instance, hiatus, he didn't quit on his job, you could not share a cart either. He found a new way to unless you live with the teach his students at home with individual you're playing with, the support of his wife, and it you couldn't use ball washers or wasn't just video conferencing. water jugs; I thought [Grey During the shutdown, several Rock] was doing a pretty good "What I did, I've never done this protocols and procedures were job of putting their precautions before, is I made videos of 'how carried out throughout all of the in place and it was pretty easy to to' things you could do in the courses. Masks became follow as an individual," Varela house: ideas to practice chipping, mandatory, said. pitching; little short shots, little distancing games you can play," Whitman was made Even though there said.

"We'll never satisfy easier, and were multiple weeks for junior where one could not everyone because some Throughout the six videos, he golf, physically be at a even used an appropriate theme folks want things to be just Whitman golf course, there for the time. "We used toilet paper as they were and feel like were plenty of faced a bit of rolls since toilet paper was a big it's their choice to make" opportunities to stay a challenge. deal having that and played In the in touch with the putting like bowling with toilet absence of sport. From a paper rolls. So you stack them up touchable back(yard) nine to like bowling pins and then putt at - Kimberly McNeeley things that putting challenges it; see if you can knock the pins aid learning, with friends and down," Whitman said. "I just like hockey family, those who made some games of this so I sticks and wiff le balls, he had to wanted to keep the game alive stayed in contact with kids that make a few adjustments. inside them, did. way and gave them some ideas just to play around the house."

"So I've had to change my "You can always do some home teaching a little bit, trying to keep golf routines; I have a putting The golf-from-home situation from touching as many things," green and I can putt," Varela might arise for a third time, too, Whitman said. He provides said. "There's also chipping with another surge in cases. But if another example, "If we use tees, games in the front yard, another massive outbreak occurs, I would tee the ball up for them so backyard which actually can be McNeeley and the Parks and Rec. they wouldn't have to touch the fun if you have kiddos who also Department will be ready. tees or the balls even though the play and everybody can have "If we were to see some kind of a fun playing that kind of stuff." trending upward cases or a very "I think the challenge is that regardless of the decision that is made, even though we're trying to balance public service with public health and keeping people safe, that not everybody agrees and so it, it just organically creates some tensions in the golf community," McNeeley says. "We'll never satisfy everyone because some folks want things to be just as they were and feel like it's their choice to make, and other folks feel as though we should take other precautions or additional precautions for the health and safety of the entire community, so that's a tough one for us to balance."

33 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

concerning trend, we might has been spreading like wildfire increase the different protocols since the pandemic. With its that, again, allow us to minimize natural spacing and open-air touchpoints and increase the environment, it's the ideal sport distance between people," for any age. For Varela, his McNeeley said. daughter is "If it got to a learning the point where the game with "It looks like hopefully, many other public health department is eager children. golf has found new saying that our "Junior golf membership or cases and our seems to be hospitalization playership and getting a good rate is to a result; a hopefully it sticks" point that it's positive result becoming a from the real concern shutdown for our public, because kids we would have - Enrique Varela are starting to to consider really want to shutting back go practice and play," Varela down again." said. "It looks like hopefully golf But, if there's anything to be has found new membership or positive about, the game of golf new playership and hopefully it

sticks, and more people continue to find the sport and play."

Jai Nagaraj , 9t h grader at LASA High School, t akes a shot wit h a pit ching wedge at t he Grey Rock Golf Club driving range in Aust in, Texas ( Phot o by Jai Nagaraj ) .

Basketbal l

Sanchit R ai Fact Check Editor Sanchit Rai is 13 years old and attends the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in T exas. In his free time he enjoys running, playing basketball, and playing guitar. H e won the regional competition with his guitar class in 2019 and 2020. H is hobbies include playing video games and learning Spanish. H e chose to write about basketball and it's struggles with COVID- 19 because he experienced it firsthand when he saw the N BA's finances drop and saw players stressed. Sanchit is a hardworker who always finishes his job and isn't afraid to ask for help. H e is very relaxed, but also diligent when needed.

36 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

Basketball 2020: Telling the stor y with all facts

By Sanchit Rai

Financial Loss - The NBA has two main sources of income, advertisements and ticket selling.

- With ticket selling lower from COVID-19, the NBA has half the income compared to normal - Covid has become catastrophic for the league's finances, as shown by the graph on the next page.

- Also, many teams have to pay more taxes, which causes a salary cap for players , making money even harder to get.

37 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

Why is it so risky?

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-

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According to Hartford Healthcare, playing basketball has a moderate to high risk of COVID-19.

That's the same as traveling by plane!

Your distance with teammates in basketball is not 6 feet, and a lot of players will touch the same ball.

Also, remember that the disease is airborne. You don't have to be right next to a person to get it, which makes it worse in a confined gym space.

Ticketing revenue loss from COVID-19 for 5 teams

Sources - Hartford Healthcare, hartfordhealthcare.org - World Economic Forum, www.weforum.org/ - bworldonline.com - unsplash.com

Cov id + Basket bal l : AHor r ibl e Combinat ion What it does, how risky it is, and how it can change the sport.

f a d T r a t f t s a a p b t

By: Sanchit Rai

T j a h f H H i h t C g a

1 39 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

i b r

Basketball is the third most popular sport in the U.S, but how will the sport stay alive in the middle of a pandemic?

Being a big form of recreation for people around the world, basketball definitely has to carry it's weight.

The virus has taken away lots of revenue in major sports leagues and has affected the regulations of the sport everywhere. Ranging from middle to high school to even the NBA, COVID-19 is affecting the sport greatly in all areas, but it's not all bad. This article will identify and inform the reader about a few problems that come with the virus, but it will also bring a few good things into the spotlight.

The virus poses a big threat, not just to the sport of basketball, but also is a high risk for players.

Hartford Healthcare is a hospital that follows CDC guidelines and

risk as traveling by plane, which means it is very dangerous. It is mostly dangerous because all players are rotating the basketball around each other by passing or shooting. If a basketball has the virus on it, people could catch it. People could also catch it by playing in close contact, specifically touching each other.

"We didn't have summer workouts, and that was a big obstacle because you're used to building for the next season and seeing guys grow."

Starting with basketball at a school level, many players are opting out of playing the sport this year because they might catch the virus.

Coaches and players are in fear of contracting the virus.

Even though basketball season already ended before the virus came, players still could not meet with their team. "We didn't have summer workouts, and that was a big obstacle because you're

- Robert Lucero High School.

On the topic of seeing players grow, COVID-19 affected basketball's players and their growth as a human being.

Coaches need to be close to players to help them with all aspects of life, in one way or the other. If a player has a bad grade, is being bullied at school, or even has problems at home, coaches can help them solve their problems. Lucero says, "I just remember the game is used to get

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information. The CDC has said that basketball is rated a 7 out of 10 for risk of COVID-19. That is the same

used to building for the next season and seeing guys grow," says Robert Lucero, head coach at Westlake

40 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020

close enough to support them. When they need somebody to help them grow or push them, I'm there." Coach Lucero tries to include more players in all his teams so he can help them improve their life. COVID-19 made it much harder for coaches to interact with players, and many players put in less practice and started to lose passion for the game.

Even for the players that kept playing despite the virus, the virus affected their chance to be scouted for college basketball. Rob Wade, a basketball player at McCallum High School, gives us his opinion. "It really hurt

3 the college exposure, because coaches couldn't come watch our games." If the virus bars coaches from watching the games to see what they want from a player and build their roster, then the quality of teams will also suffer.

to work with for paying players.

There was about a ten percent salary cap for players, which made it hard for newer players that were just drafted to make money.

Another big problem arises for players that are more casual.

Casual players are just people just looking to play street ball(basketball) or a player going

"You cant take chances."

v p b t t r p t c s i k b f

Something is only good or bad if you think of it that way.

If we learn from our weaknesses, then down the road, we'll always be better."

- Robert Lucero

- Robert Lucero to a pickup game at the park for fun.

Even though these games are usually outside, it becomes more risky because a person playing in a park or even a person in close proximity could have the virus.

With a deadly virus like this, people need to prepare for the worst.

make sure they can keep themselves well trained. Wade says to stay hopeful, and to also be ready for whatever the virus throws at you.

The most important thing besides keeping yourself safe is to have a good mindset.

Even though there are a bunch of

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Many players say that the virus pushed them to become stronger players on their own. Wade says, "I think it's more difficult because you're not able to get around good players, but it makes me better at motivating myself to do it alone." The only problem with that is along with games, college coaches can't even see practices or a scrimmage.

COVID-19 has also caused financial problems for major sports leagues, like the NBA. The NBA relies on ticket sales along with ad revenue, which carries the league's finances.

Now that less people are buying tickets for games because of the virus, the league's income is cut in half. That gives 41 . TIMEOUT . Fall 2020 them a lot less

practice out of playing against others are now learning what they can do by themselves to

If you are optimistic and you always look at something two ways, you can become a better player, and a better person. As an example, if Rob Wade didn't have a strong mindset and learn how to get better on his own, he wouldn't have gotten any better during COVID-19.

4 problems that come with COVID-19, there are some good things too. Players that get the most

To sum it up, the virus has many different contradicting aspects.

The virus has many issues, like financial problems to even problems with mentality, but it also brang propitious things, like learning how to practice on your own to becoming more headstrong and resilient. The

virus can be detrimental and hurt players physically and mentally, but now is a better time than ever to keep a good mindset. To keep the sport alive, people need to remind each other of their true passion for the game, and realize that COVID-19 is an obstacle that can also help all of us find new solutions to our problems. "Even in life, if you point fingers and not keep going, then you will not get better." It's time to reignite the f lame of basketball, together.

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Image Cutlines 1. Aerial view of a basketball court(Photo by Sergio Souza, Credit goes to Unsplash).

2. The varsity team of Westlake High School takes a group picture in their main gym. They are wearing masks when together to prevent spread of COVID-19 (Photo credit goes to Robert Lucero).

3. Picture of a basketball with stars (Photo credit goes to Sanchit Rai.

4. A basketball player takes a jump shot at the three point line while everybody is scrambling for the rebound (Photo credit goes to Stock Images).

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5. A basketball player is taking apicture with a ball. He is wearing a mask to prevent getting COVID-19 ( Photo Credit goes to Unsplash).

6. Rob hustles down and weaves right between two defenders from Akins High School.( Photo credit goes to Rob Wade).

7. Jacksonville University scores against their opponent, North Florida in 2009 (Photo credit goes to DeusXFlorida).