College Sports Pursue At HVCC Despite Delta Variant Concerns

By Nolan Cleary, Editor-In-Chief

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, some students have been unable to experience major aspects of Hudson Valley Community College due to ongoing health concerns. One aspect many students have missed out on is sports.

To reduce interactions with others that could have proven fatal in the early days of the pandemic, all physical sports at HVCC were suspended in March 2020. Since then, sports have remained inactive for over a year. 

With vaccines finally becoming available to most of the public in Spring 2021, Sports finally resumed in April. Since then, however, more concerns about the pandemic have arisen. 

With the Delta variant now appearing in the country, COVID-19 cases have begun to once again climb. These cases have caused concern for the college at large, with some feeling concerned about the virus resurfacing. 

Throughout the country, some major league sports events have been delayed because of the variant. In July, a Nationals-Phillies game had to be pushed back as COVID-19 cases were back on the rise. 

High school and college sports have had to be postponed or delayed inevitably due to surging cases throughout the country. Despite this, it appears that sports at Hudson Valley Community College will continue with strict precautions. 

Adam Sopris, athletes director at Hudson Valley Community College, expresses his concern for the unpredictability of the COVID-19 variant. 

“You never know really, how the variant is going to react. As long as it’s a pandemic, I feel like you have to have some sort of concern that it would affect what we do at Hudson Valley,” Sopris said.

He stated that the college is requiring all athletes to be fully vaccinated to play. He continues to follow the CDC guidelines as players are required to get tested weekly. 

“I think we’ve been doing a good job following all the mandates and doing on our part in trying to prevent any disruptions,” Sopris said. 

He also said he understands the concerns of those interested in sports, and that he doesn’t object to those sitting out sports over health concerns. 

“It would be their right. I’m not going to convince them to do anything they don’t feel comfortable doing. I’d just present what we’re doing, what the policies are, and make them make their own educated decision,” Sopris said. 

Sopris said that despite a rise in cases, he remains fully confident that college sports will continue into the next semester. “I think so unless something drastic happens, but as of right now we’re planning on participating in all of the sports that we offer,” Sopris said. 

Sopris said he missed watching sports games and events from the fields the most and said he’s most looking forward to that element returning with sports back on campus. 

“I think I’m looking forward to getting to the fields and watching the games. I haven’t worked a game since March 2020. So, I think I’m excited to get out there and seeing the games and competitions,” Sopris said.