AU Athletics for the Year 2020-21

So how does it feel gearing up for the new season in light of COVID-19?

Oh, we’re very thankful that we’re even able to play. Because we understand the severity of this situation, we can't afford to pass COVID-19 around to anybody. So we’ve been held to a really high standard, which is understandable. Our guys are willing to do anything so that they can play, and it’s really awesome to see. They’ll go through any restriction--we’re practicing with masks on… we’re never in the gym without a face mask on. There are just a whole lot of requirements that we have, and what’s really cool is that they are willing to do anything. They’re strictly adhering to what we’re asking, and it just shows a lot about their heart. So, I’m excited about it.

How has your approach to the season changed?

We still don't even have a schedule totally set because some teams are dropping out, and on the other side, we have a whole lot of different teams sending requests to play us because their schedules are constantly changing as well. So our athletic director is handling that. But in terms of preparing for the season, we are preparing for our first game at the beginning of November, and we are going at it as strongly as we can. We’re going through the same regimen; the conditioning, the strength, the skills training, the play development, and so we’re not changing just because of the situation, but it makes it a bit harder, obviously. But we’re still going through everything and our athletes are responding very well.

How is the morale of the team in light of these constraints?

I actually thought there would be more complaining, because as you can imagine, not every teammate agrees on the rules that they have to follow. But we told them: “Hey, if you want to play, this is our set of rules,” and they said, “okay.” So the morale has been pretty positive, and I actually couldn't be prouder of these guys. If we asked them to go outside and pitch a huge tent outside, it’s like they wouldn't even ask why… they'd just get it done. They'll do anything to play, and they have this positive attitude. They're just thankful to be able to play basketball, and that’s exciting to a coach.

You almost feel...you almost wish that a news group like yourself could do an article on them because their attitude is truly amazing, and I don't think it's just what we're asking our student athletes, by the way, I think the whole campus. I've heard from different teachers saying I can't believe what you all are doing now. You're interviewing me; you have a mask on; how obedient our students are. How you’re taking this thing so well even though you'd rather not have it be this way, so I think we just have a great group of students at Andrews University, and I'm grateful that my basketball team is part of that group.

Is there anything that you would change about the restrictions or how the administration has handled athletics?

Wow, that’s a good question because I am not a medical doctor. But from what I understand so far, I wouldn’t change much. Perhaps the one thing that I would change, a very small change, would be how we leave the gym; we can't leave out of the front door. Because they do not want us passing anybody, which I understand. So the ladies are in on one side of the basketball court, getting ready for their practice, and we’re leaving, so we have to leave out the back. By the time that happens, we were exchanging on opposite ends of the whole court. So it just feels a bit odd that they cant walk through this other door and out if there’s no human being there, but I understand the overall principle, so we abide by it. But I guess one thing that I would say; I would let the guys walk out the front door when no one’s there. But adding to that, the door that we would like to exit out of would really be an entrance, so I really do get it. It’s more than just a basketball program we’re talking about.

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about the basketball team or you as a whole?

One of our advantages is that we have this great home crowd. We usually draw more people to our games, and other teams draw to theirs. When we left Johnson Gym, some of the coaches said to me: “boy, you're kind of losing your home court advantage.” but I tell you what… last year, our new gym was just as loud, and it was really awesome to have that support. We don’t know what restrictions there will ultimately be on who can watch the games, and the governor and the legislators in Michigan are battling each other about how many spots and people can come in, and even if they set the rules, we at Andrews University have to set smart rules, so it’s still being worked out. But there’s a chance that at the beginning, we can't have any spectators until maybe we’re allowed x amount of people… I don’t know. So what I ask is if we could still support the team as much as possible. We’ll have it streaming online, and we’ll make places available to see it off campus, where small groups can gather. But when we do allow it or if it ever gets to the point where we can have some people in, we’d really love the support of the school because our guys are working really hard, and we want to share that effort with the school because it makes such a beautiful game situation.