Hope Gramly
McKendree
Women's Bowling
So., Prosper, Texas
Major: Exercise Science and Sports Performance
I understand the decision to cancel every remaining athletic event was a difficult one. However, our sport is helping put some of us through college in the first place. It’s our motivation to succeed. Now that it’s been taken away, it’s hard to want to continue to be successful when there’s nothing to work toward.
As a member of McKendree's women’s bowling team, it hurts my heart to have come so close to winning a NATIONAL championship only for our season to be cut short before the greatest tournament of the year.
I’m happy the spring athletes will be given an extra year of eligibility, but what about the winter sports that were never given the opportunity to earn closure on what was a dominating season? Again, I completely understand the reasons behind postponing indefinitely, but I will not have the chance to fight for a conference and national title this year and it is devastating.
Some say I can use this emotion to work that much harder next year, and believe me, I will. But this is something that I’ve worked my entire athletic career for. I had dreams of walking the stage on graduation day with possibly four national championship rings and that is now been dropped down the possibility of just two.
I am all for keeping all student-athletes healthy, but what I really want is to compete for my university, amongst the best collegiate teams in the country, in hopes of being named the 2020 NCAA Women’s Bowling National Champions. That’s what I want, but no one can have it now, and it’s hurts.
I want to thank the GLVC for their support and kindness throughout this madness, and all parties for not making this decision lightly. To all the student-athletes, I’m sorry and I’m hurting just like you, but whether your collegiate career is over or simply put on pause, stay healthy and take care of yourselves. You’ll get your chance.
And always, Go Bearcats!
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