Unprecedented circumstances caused the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to cancel spring events and cut Milligan College’s spring athletics season short, preventing several teams from finishing their seasons.
“I was sitting around waiting for the news,” said senior softball player A.J. Davidson. “I knew there wasn’t a chance in the world for the NAIA to continue their seasons while NCAA Division 1 programs canceled their seasons.”
Senior track athlete Brent Coleman expected the announcement as well but was still upset by the cancellation. “It didn’t make it hurt any less seeing the announcement,” Coleman said. “It was disappointing that this was the way my college and athletic career came to an end.”
Though this disappointment is real for so many senior athletes, the NAIA is opening up the opportunity for qualifying seniors to redshirt this season and return next season to finish their careers.
According to Milligan’s Athletic Director Mark Fox, “around half dozen to a dozen senior athletes are talking about redshirting this year and coming back next year.”
With the current pandemic, this option could prove attractive to students who remain unsure of their future plans.
“Most students will graduate in the spring and have the option to come back depending on their coaches who manage the roster and scholarship funds,” said Fox. “The job market might not be that great in the fall after all this passes over, and it will take a while for things to recover.”
After dealing with an ongoing injury, Davidson debated the opportunity to redshirt, but ultimately, decided against it.
“It logically didn’t make sense for me to return an additional year, that would require me adding another major and putting my life on hold,” said Davidson. “I have already applied to graduate programs that begin next year, and I can’t delay acceptance into one of those schools as much as it breaks my heart to say it.”
Coleman has also decided to pursue his career after graduation.
“I’ll graduate in May and I want to get into the workforce after graduation,” Coleman said. “But I think it’s great that the NAIA is giving seniors that opportunity.”
Disappointed that he was unable to finish, Davidson remarked, “it’s time to close this chapter of my life and accept the raw reality of life throwing a curveball when it is least expected.”
Updates from the NAIA regarding COVID-19 and student-athletes can be accessed here.
Headline photo: A.J. Davidson prepares to put the ball in play. Photo from Milligan Athletics.