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Public Relations and Marketing | Published Mar 25, 2020
From rained-out events to sprained ankles, unexpected setbacks are part of the life as a competitive athlete. While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented shutdowns—including the cancelation of the spring sports seasons in the National Junior College Athletic Association—student athletes at the College of Lake County are living up to the Lancer spirit and soldiering on, both academically and athletically.
“With all the recent uncertainty, the one thing that has shined through, is the College of Lake County's unwavering commitment to our students and student-athletes,” said Brad Unger, athletic director. “Our coaches and support staff have worked extremely hard communicating with our student-athletes trying to create calm throughout this crisis.”
The Lancers said they are grateful for CLC’s quick transition to the alternative learning model, which began March 16, has allowed them to continue progress toward their degrees. “My concerns and questions about online lectures, hours, group projects and tutoring, have been addressed in a timely manner through email or in person,” said Adam Hagman, a sophomore tennis player and civil engineering major.
In addition to adjusting with alternative learning, Lancer student athletes also made changes to their athletic routines while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. Gabby Rogalevich a softball player majoring in athletic training, said she keeps in touch with her sport by playing catch with her dad in the family’s front yard. “I also go to a batting cage at my local high school,” she said. “I even work out the same every day, just to feel I am still in the system of playing.”
Ryan Brouch, a sophomore baseball player majoring in business management, said COVID-19 changed where he trains. “Instead of at school with the team, I am lifting at my home gym and getting my practice drill work with buddies at a local park, while maintaining social distancing,” he said. Other athletes went from working out at the gym to their homes.
For Rogalevich, the cancellation of the season was “heartbreaking,” because softball has been a passion where she built close friendships with teammates. “On the field, my teammates have been people I could call family,” she said. “I could never see myself not playing this sport. It’s a stress relief, it’s a happiness and it’s where I can have fun and give it my all. I love the competition.”
Nevertheless, Rogalevich and her fellow Lancer student athletes understand the need to do their part to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they’re keeping their end games in mind. A freshman, Rogalevich plans to stay at CLC for two years, then transfer to a four-year school to complete her bachelor’s degree and continue her “love for softball.” Hagman, a Lindenhurst resident who also works as a CLC math tutor, said he plans to graduate from CLC in May with an associate degree and then transfer to University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign to play club tennis and complete a bachelor’s degree. Brouch, an Appleton, Wis. resident who had planned to graduate in May and transfer to a four-year school, now plans to delay both endeavors until 2021.
About College of Lake County:
The College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves in northeastern Illinois. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, college classes are affordable and accessible to help each student achieve academic, career and personal goals. More than 70,000 students graduated with degrees and certificates since the college opened in 1969. The College of Lake County is the only higher-education institution ranked among the top 15 best places to work in Illinois by Forbes and is a national leader in many areas, including sustainability and conservation. Learn more at www.clcillinois.edu or call (847) 543-2000.