By: Dave Collins, Sports Director, Voice of the Eagles
Chadron State has opened up the month of September with an eye on playing football games this fall. On a cool, breezy, fall-feeling late afternoon the team held its first official practice Monday in helmets on Elliott Field.
Wearing a protective mask Athletic Director Joel Smith sat on one of the hillside bleacher benches taking in the scene and finding a sense of normalcy within his department as the players and coaches went through drills.
I asked Smith if he expects Chadron State to play football games this fall, and he's very optimistic, albeit there are still a few hurdles to overcome before it's official.
Trying to plan for a season has been like aiming at a moving target with a blindfold on at times.
On the challenges of getting a season lined up Smith says, "Probably the wildest part of it is the fact that it changes so much. We might have a really good idea about what we're going to do in one week, and then three or four different things change, and then we have to go re-stack the chips again so that part's really been hard."
Smith says the department has built roughly 20 strategies and plans on how they would deal with situations that could arise, but it's been a challenge to rely on them because there have been so many changes surrounding the health situation, protocols and options in dealing with it all safely throughout the pandemic.
The Eagles are being vigilant in testing coaches and players for COVID-19. Smith outlines the details on the process of how the team is protecting itself to continue moving forward to a possible season.
Despite having some positive tests among student-athletes on campus since returning to school Smith is confident players want to compete and will take the necessary precautions to stay healthy and have a season. He feels CSC has "weathered it really well" so far.
CSC will practice again on Wednesday at Don Beebe Stadium.