WolfPack athletes, coaches look to turn negative into a positive

“If there’s no vaccine, and the physical distance requirements have not changed across our four provinces, it’s going to be hard to envision us playing a January to March season.”

Those frank comments yesterday by Canada West president Clint Hamilton left more uncertainty about the prospects for a season for the WolfPack in volleyball and basketball. It’s tough on the athletes — and it’s tough on the coaches.

“When you’re talking about being a coach you’re either competing or preparing to compete and you’re trying to control as many factors in those two environments as possible.” says Clark. “Right now I don’t know when we’re going to compete again. Because of that the preparation phase is something I’m unsure of as well. It’s a very fluid situation. I’m having to learn to roll with it —- the athletes are having to learn to roll with it as well.”

Anton Napolitano is an international —– who came from Australia to study and play volleyball.

If there is a season, it will be his 5th and final —- if there is no season, it would add another year to his eligibiltiy and his studies.

‘If it were to happen, it would take a bit of pressure off.” says the fifth year setter from Victoria, Australia. “The credits that we have to take, potentially finishing a degree in six years. So in terms of that it’s not terrible—but of course we’re here to play sport as well, and that’s what we do every single day. So it would be a big blow unfortunately.”

While there is uncertainty surrounding a volleyball and basketball season, soccer knows exactly where it’s at.

There will be no Canada West season — maybe exhibition matches — but no league, no national championship to play for.

But men’s soccer head coach John Antulov says now is not the time to take the foot off the gas.

“We’ve really over the last couple of years have really kind of built this program.” says Antulov. “We’ve got ourself into contention over the last couple of years, have got ourselves into a top ten in Canada. For us we’re not going to take our foot off the gas pedal. We can’t really take a step back. We have to continue. If we just put it in pause it’s going to set us back. For us we’re just going to look at this as a development season for our players.”

For soccer players, like Jan Pirretas Glasmacher, a year without a USPORTS national championship, this season he will not be charged eligibility and remain eligible for athlete financial aid or scholarships.

“It actually worked out good for me.” says Pirretas Glasmacher. “That will give me that extra year of eligibility which means I can finish my masters. I graduate at this time next year and have to more seasons — so I can start my masters and be here for six years, which is great.”

So in these uncertain times, not knowing if there might be a second wave, not knowing it there is going to be a season, basketball coach Scott Clark says it’s another opportunity for a life lesson.

“What’s occuring to us some people may view it as a negative thing,” says Clark. “We have to view it as a positive thing. Maybe we’re going to have a little bit longer in preparation. Maybe it’s going to help us in understanding that we don’t control some things — and that sometimes you have to be a little bit more flexible.”

by Earl Seitz

WolfPack athletes, coaches look to turn negative into a positive

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