STUDENT ATHLETES

COVID-19

14 Student athletes shoulder extra pandemic load

The NCAA conducted an association-wide survey of athletes in late 2020 that quantified pandemic stress on student athletes, including mental health. Tatiana Makarova and Bladen Reaves, members of the Texas A&M tennis and football teams, discussed life as athletes both at the beginning of the pandemic and now that students have returned to in-person classes.

NCAA rules shift to reflect new, uncharted landscape in athletics

By Tomas Romo

From mental and physical health to academic and future career stress, the coronavirus continues to create measurable burdens being carried by college student athletes.

The NCAA conducted an association-wide survey that garnered responses from some 25,000 student athletes. Conducted Oct. 6-Nov. 2, 2020, the published results portray the impact on student athletes. The numbers of those reporting negative mental health responses are eye-opening.

Designed by the NCAA research team in collaboration with the NCAA Sport Science Institute and the NCAA Division I, II and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committees, the goal was to determine how student athletes dealt with the pandemic. The focus on college students’ mental health has grown among most college institutions. Student athletes are no different, and their success on the playing field doesn’t always directly relate to their personal lives.

“Without structured classes [last fall] it was challenging to stay on top of things,” Tatiana Makarova, Texas A&M senior women’s tennis player said. “I found myself having to teach myself the material, which was hard considering the long hours I dedicated to athletics.”

The data from the NCAA identified academic worries, lack of access to their sport, COVID-19 health concerns and financial worries as contributing factors that negatively impacted student athletes’ mental health.

“I struggled with online classes,” A&M football player Bladen Reaves said. “I had to sit through three-hour labs online, and I found myself not being able to stay focused on Zoom.”

The pandemic put pressure on student athletes to not only perform on the field, but to deal with society as well.

“I don’t have much time for other outside activities, regardless of businesses shutting down, and I had limitations of social life during the pandemic,” Reaves said.

Being forced to focus on school and athletics while being removed from society to protect their team has taken a toll, according to the survey. The SEC announced a new cancellation policy that states any team unable to play due to COVID-19 forfeits and will assign a win in the conference standings to the team able to play. The new policy makes it more beneficial for student athletes to get the vaccine, according to a recent CBS Sports broadcast.

A&M head football coach Jimbo Fisher estimated the A&M football team’s vaccination rate to be “at least 85 percent” during an August press conference.

“We’re extremely high; we’re in the mid80s or so and working on our rate,” Fisher told the media at the training camp. Guys are doing a pretty good job; we’re not 100 [percent] that’s everybody’s individual choice.”

Student athletes continue to face heightened mental and physical health concerns, including some barriers to sport participation this fall due to lasting changes from the pandemic.

“As a student athlete, there are always positives and negatives to life,” Makarova said. “I’m thankful that COVID[-19] didn’t impact my mental health, because I was always with my team.”

Graphic by Katen Adams