Covid and college athletics

UNLV athletics pockets empty as the Coronavirus surges on, causing them to face major cutbacks economically.

College athletics are feeling detrimental effects that rumble through their entire university due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Members of the UNLV Athletic Department fight hard to keep their fans interested and athletics alive as the pandemic rages on.

Timmy Conner, UNLV's Athletic Marketing Director, is interacting with fans virtually with this year's Rebel Caravan event. Andy Grossman, UNLV’s Associate Athletic Director of Strategic Communications, also faces issues brought to light by the CoronaVirus. This includes UNLV athletes' mental and physical health in order to keep them as protected from the CoronaVirus as regular students. A struggle in itself, due to the seasons not having a concrete restart date, both Conner and Grossman explain how the athletic office of UNLV is adjusting to this difficult time in order to stay afloat.

“Over the summer we launched a week-long initiative called the Rebel Caravan. It consisted of 13 virtual events all taking place using Zoom,” Conner said. “Each event captured a different audience and included UNLV coaches, players and special guests from a variety of our teams.”

Conner dives into how fans and athletes can stay in touch throughout the pandemic in a safe and healthy way. Since this pandemic is a tough time for both athletes and fans, the Rebel Caravan is a unique and intriguing way in order to keep both parties engaged and excited for the upcoming 2020-2021 season.

The Rebel Caravan virtual discussion held with Men's Basketball Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger. Credit: UNLV Athletics

The Rebel Caravan consists of 13 virtual events over a span of 10-days, and is highlighted by the participation of three new coaches in UNLV athletics: football head coach Marcus Arroyo, women’s basketball head coach Lindy La Rocque, and women’s soccer head coach Jenny Ruiz-Williams. This 10-day event focuses mainly on these coaches as they head into their first season, while also holding interviews with other head coaches, such as men’s basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger. This virtual event held via Zoom includes sessions everyday that highlight specific athletic programs and gives the coaches a chance to explain their coaching styles, approaches to their new programs, and what fans may expect to see out of their team this year.

The Rebel Caravan event where members discussed the important aspect of selflessness. Credit: UNLV Athletics

To keep a wide variety of audiences excited about the upcoming season, Conner creates specific webinars that are only available to certain groups. One day strictly invites current staff and teachers of UNLV to join, while another for UNLV alumni. Of course eight out of the ten days invite fans to tune in, but Conner feels this is the best way to involve other audiences in athletics. Fans are able to interact with both coaches and athletes during Q&A sessions each day, as well as personally watch them discuss their upcoming seasons. Prizes such as a signed football by Coach Arroyo, UNLV items, and jerseys were also given out at the end of each day.

UNLV Athletics Marketing took a more personal approach by focusing on student-athletes directly. This gives Conner a chance to allow the athletes to tell their own unique stories, show fans how they stay in shape during quarantine, how they train while away from facilities, and behind the scenes action from previous seasons.

Conner also believes that things will fully return to normal and sports will come back. Being adaptable and flexible has been crucial for the athletics team, Conner said. He knows it’s uncharted territory for all athletic programs, so they are taking it day by day and learning from the challenges they face. Not only are staff being consumed with keeping fans entertained, but with keeping athletes demeanors up. Studies have shown that the mental health of athletes has slowly been deteriorating as the pandemic presses on. Grossman fully understands the issue at hand and assures that the athletes at UNLV are receiving the best care possible.

“I think isolation and not being able to attend large gatherings, most classes in person for students, and just in general living life normally as we knew it for the general public has had an affect on mental health for everyone,” Grossman said. “We have recognized this and have taken steps with our student-athletes to provide assistance when needed. ”

Grossman sees how the pandemic is affecting every member of staff and the student body, but is also hopeful for a soon return to the old version of what people found normal. He makes note that the athletes continuously say they miss the social interaction with other student-athletes and their peers. He makes sure that his student-athletes are all taken care of, with a staff psychologist who works with all teams mental health concerns. Grossman says that recognizing there is an issue in front of them is a good first step to helping those who may need it.

This pandemic continues to be an interesting roller coaster for all members of society, and is a first for college athletics. With electronics nowadays, it makes the impossible possible. Fans are able to interact directly with athletes, in ways that were once never imagined possible. With endless curve balls, the Rebels face trials and tribulations that test every member of the Rebel family.

Conner says that the new normal for sports and game days will look different than they did previously. However, he also has high hopes that fan turnout will come back just as strong, if not even stronger than before.

“We’ve seen other schools and leagues have success with their seasons with all the new challenges,” Conner said. “ And we are learning all that we can to be the safest we can for our student athletes, fans and everyone involved.”

Members of UNLV sports teams strut their masks in the virtual back to school barbecue. Credit: UNLV Athletics

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