Hofstra athletes, students look ahead to winter, spring seasons
By Daniel Robertson
Hofstra’s University’s athletic programs have been suspended for the fall, and are expected to move forward in winter and spring. This is hindering the college experience for students who were hoping to root for their own teams on campus, or cover them as aspiring journalists and broadcasters.
Over the summer, Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. said there are many challenges facing university athletics across the country as programs suspend play for the health and safety of student-athletes and staff because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Each and every decision made during this time has been made with student-athlete, coach, and staff welfare, safety, and health at the forefront,” he said in a statement. “While our fall sports teams will not be competing, we will continue to plan for the return of our athletic teams to their respective fields of play. Under the guidelines of [the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], local, state, and Hofstra University, we will pursue a safe return to sports when the situation dictates.”
For students like Jermaine Howerton, a member of WRHU, Hofstra’s student-run radio station, it’s difficult not to have sports both as a fan and broadcaster “As a student and a fan of college sports, I definitely care,” he said. “It’s a big hit to the university. I feel the entertainment and enjoyment aspect is not there, not only for athletes but for coaches and students as well.”
Jeff Palmaccio, another Hofstra journalism graduate student, said the university suspended athletics for the right reasons. “I feel the suspension is necessary for the safety and well-being of Hofstra students and student athletes,” he said. “I was looking to get more involved with the coverage of fall sports and with the suspension happening it will definitely be missed.”
As a fan of college basketball, Palmaccio said he believes Hofstra’s programs could potentially miss out on a second straight year of March Madness. Last year the men’s team won a conference title and clinched a spot in the NCAA’s biggest tournament, but was unable to continue on because of the initial shutdown caused by the pandemic.
For journalism major Justin Joseph, who writes for The Hofstra Chronicle, the suspension of fall sports directly affects his ability to cover events. “I’m with the school newspaper and radio station, so we have a close relationship with the athletic department,” Joseph said. “I’m sure they would’ve implemented safety precautions if I was allowed to cover the games. I would wear a mask and anything else that is needed in order for me to do a job as a writer for the newspaper.
“As a student-journalist,” he continued, “I’m someone who obviously wants to go into the sports media field. I’m sad that I’m not able to cover sports. I want to continue to build my resume, but now we have to roll with the punches with what’s going on.”
Tino Pattigno, a Hofstra sophomore, barely had one semester of college life under his belt when the pandemic hit during his freshman year. Active with The Chronicle, WRHU and Hofstra TV, Pattigno is finding other methods to cover sports beyond attending games.
“Even though it’s disheartening, I can see the positives as a journalist,” he said. “We can now look at certain athletes or teams and go beneath the surface. We’re not playing sports, but we can see what makes them more than an athlete.”
Looking ahead, Hofstra’s winter and spring sports have been practicing on campus in anticipation of playing during their respective seasons.
