Spring (and Fall and Winter) Sports

Reported by: Ashleigh Scheuneman

Photographed by: Imogene Eagan

George Fox University (GFU) is progressing with plans to have spring sports and postponed fall sports begin during the spring semester. Spring, fall and winter sports seasons will overlap to give athletes the chance to play. In accordance with COVID-19 rules, GFU will have spectators watch the games over Zoom and GFU teams will only play other Northwest Conference schools.

Courtney Jones, who plays for GFU’s women’s soccer team, says she is excited about the upcoming season and looks forward to playing her first official game with GFU near the end of February.

Not every sport will have the opportunity to play yet due to strict COVID-19 guidelines.

According to Adam Puckett, the director of athletics at GFU, “Both football and volleyball have state limitations against playing at this given point in time and we need state rules to change in order to play either sport.”

In addition, cross country will not be competing this year due to the fact that many of these athletes also compete in track and field, Puckett said.

Swimming and basketball are also unable to compete at this time due to strict COVID-19 guidelines. However, Puckett said that he thinks these athletes will be able to compete later in the spring season.

“We anticipate that we will get to compete in these sports sometime during March and April and are working with athletic administrators across the state to put together varying schedules,” said Puckett.

While students wait for these delayed sports to begin, COVID-19 guidelines do allow for some regularly scheduled sporting seasons to start. “Spring sports will look the most normal,” said Puckett. “There will be some limitations, but we are aiming to compete at a fairly normal schedule.”

Spring sports include lacrosse, tennis, golf, softball, baseball and track and field.

Despite the overlapping schedules, spring sports will still have the opportunity to compete at a higher level. “The NCAA is still planning on hosting national championships in all spring sports,” said Puckett.

Jones and many others will have their sports seasons restored to them. The soccer season will kick off with a game against Linfield on Feb. 28.

Despite the lack of spectators, Jones said that having the games broadcasted on Zoom will allow her parents to watch from their home in California.

More information about sports schedules, games and game outcomes is available on the GFU athletics website.