For the first time in 13 months, Miramar College student athletes returned to campus for athletic training. Roughly 40 of the College’s 100 intercollegiate athletes arrived on campus April 8 for conditioning. Competition at the community college level is not expected to resume in the State of California until the fall 2021 semester.
“We are extremely excited to get back,” said Miramar College Athletic Director Nick Gehler. “It has been over a year and we have worked tirelessly to bring our student athletes back in a safe manner where we can get them socially distanced. We have several cohorts that we have built in for each day. We look forward to phasing this in as fast as possible.”
In March of 2020, no one could have predicted how long this layoff would go. “I did not expect things to go as they did,” said Artis Chapman, Miramar College men’s basketball player. “I’m 22 years old and I’ve never seen the world just shut down.”
Women’s soccer player Celina Nadeau had just moved to San Diego in January of 2021 to play for the Jets. “I remember sitting in Matt Cain’s kinesiology class when we found out and I couldn’t believe it,” said Nadeau. “The thought of not binge able to come on campus was upsetting.”
The return to play is part of the spring semester Exercise 392b course, student athletes are welcomed back to campus to condition only. “Our goal is to get the athletes back in shape for the remainder of the semester with an eye on returning to actual practice by the summer,” said Gehler. Perhaps, more importantly is the opportunity for the student athletes to reconnect with their teammates. “I’m just excited to play,” said Nadeau. “I’m excited to be around my team and just excited to be out there and be on the field.”
“The mental and physical health of our students and students in general is paramount,” remarked Gehler. “Having us back on campus is an essential piece to their life. Students haven’t been on campus, they’ve not been able to socialize like we have in the past and I think this is a step in the right direction and the sooner we can get back to a little more normalcy with students supporting each other, the better it will be.”
The return to play will be vigorous for Miramar College student athletes amid the pandemic. In order to participate, athletes must show a negative COVID-19 test prior to each class. They also must complete a health screening via an app, and follow all COVID-19 campus safety protocols which includes wearing a mask and social distancing.
All JUCO competition was cancelled throughout the state back in March of 2020 due to the pandemic. Miramar College, along with the San Diego Community College District, opted out of playing the spring semester, however, competition never began.
Miramar College fields 6 intercollegiate sports (Men’s and Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Water Polo and Men’s Basketball).
