SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS)- As the nation continues to deal with Covid-19, college conferences across the country have been deciding if they were going to continue with fall sports. The ACC announced that they will not make a decision until late July, but the Syracuse University football team have preparing for the upcoming season since June. The University is one of few schools that are allowing players to train on campus, but the players are split up into small groups while living in pods. The athletes must work out, eat and only interact with people in their pods.
While many may be concerned about continuing college football, Senior Defensive Line Josh Black says that he feels safe living in the pods. Syracuse has taken social distancing seriously and makes sure that the athletes are in a safe and healthy environment.
“They have to literally clean all of our equipment between every single set, and we’re not allowed to use any of the water fountains. We have assigned water bottles that we have to pick up and turn in after these workouts. We are literally not allowed to touch anything without having to get it cleaned instantly,” says Black.
While Syracuse has been doing a noble job protecting their players from Covid-19, Black is worried that other schools in their conference may not be doing the same.
“There’s all these bodily fluids on the football field, like you can’t really protect yourself. And it definitely put a little bit of caution in my mind,” says Black.
Black says that It would definitely bring a whole different mentality into the game if there were no fans in the stadium.
“Our main advantage is having fans there and making distractions for the other team. So, we’re really taking that out of the equation. And second off, there’s just no better feeling of adrenaline when running up the tunnel with fans cheering,” says Black.
This year is personal for Black. He plans on following his dreams and entering the 2021 NFL Draft, but he is concerned that he may not be prepared. The ACC cancelled non-conference games which gives athletes less chance to prepare for the next level. And even when the season is over Black is concerned that he will not be able to train in surging Covid-19 states such as, Florida and California that are known for their excellent NFL training sites.
“It’s my last year and I’m not fully able to train the way I’m used to. So, it feels like I’m a little bit behind in that sense, and I may not be developed as much as I want to be coming into the season. But whatever happens, happens, and we’ve got to kind of make the best out of your situation,” says Black.
