Dear Eagle Nation,
Back in my former life as a sportswriter and sports information director I sat in on numerous question-and-answer sessions. No matter how many questions were posed, athletes and coaches weren't often left speechless. Answers were rarely in short supply.
Contrast that with the past week when the questions have been many and the answers have been elusive. Student-athletes from around the country went to NCAA Championships prepared to compete in one of the most memorable weeks of their lives only to see everything erased. Student-athletes and coaches who were excited by the start of the spring seasons were given the news that the season was over before it really started.
There's no way to adequately soften the blow that comes with news like that. I probably admire our coaches more today than at any point in the last six years because of the way they've handled this situation and interacted with our student-athletes. Their responses will be remembered by their student-athletes for years to come.
I've not totally shaken the sadness that hit all of us last week but in the past few days I have turned a corner. That's because of the confidence I have in the staff and coaches who make up the athletic department. On Monday, I was back in the office after traveling with the women's basketball team to Springfield, Mo. Four or five staff members came to me and said whatever was needed to do – whether it was in their area or not – they were ready and willing to help. They were resolute and determined to not take a step back.
As a department, we've pledged to do all we can to help our student-athletes make the transition to online education from their normal face-to-face classroom environment. We're going to be there to relay all the relevant information and we're going to provide an ear to listen whenever they just need to talk.
We've constructed plans for the next several weeks and months to do all we can to prepare for summer and the 2020-21 academic year. We must be vigilant in all areas so the next time the whistle blows, the gun sounds or the horn blows we're in a full-go mode.
All of you who align with the Eagles should be proud of our coaches, staff and student-athletes. Their commitment to the university and the community is unyielding. We're going to be patient and persistent and run the race that's put in front of us. There will be tough days, but we are tough people. Times like these reveal character and in addition to size, speed and strength, we have plenty of character. We're not accustomed to failure. We won't fall short now.
As always, thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Al King, Director of Athletics
