Change may seem to be the constant theme of 2020, and athletics at Bates this fall semester has certainly looked different than in any other year. 

What has remained the same, specifically for the 238 student-athletes in the Class of 2024, is the comfort that being a part of a team can bring and the sense of belonging it can provide during the transition to college.

It's long been shown that being a member of a sports team or similar activity provides a powerful sense of belonging.

"There is an abundance of research that shows how being socially connected is good for so many things — it's linked to longer, healthier, and happier lives," said Su Langdon, a lecturer in psychology whose expertise includes sports psychology. "Affiliation or belonging is a primary motive. Being a member of an athletic team is a lovely way to get that need met and build social connections despite no competition. Engaging in athletics in a pandemic is a team-level 'competition' in its own way."

Despite no games and contests this fall, that still holds true thanks to efforts of student leaders on various Bates sports teams.

Salma Alsikafi, a first-year on the women's tennis team from Lake Buff, Ill., recalls how, back in August, her new teammates instantly helped her feel settled simply by introducing themselves while she ate dinner outside with a few other first-years from her dorm.

Alsikafi says that every gesture of friendship "can have the biggest impact," especially during a fall when various pandemic protocols — such as limits on in-person gatherings and no community dining in Commons, just take-out meals — has made it extra challenging for first-years to feel connected to Bates. 

"That small gesture really stands out in my mind. I appreciate that someone I only met online would go out of their way to make sure I felt welcome," she said. "Even though we have not been able to compete, meeting the team early has given me a sense of belonging."

First-year Rawson Welch of Denver says his soccer teammates have quickly become his guide to Bates life.

"The team has instantly become a family for me here at Bates, helping me transition to college and life at Bates. It has helped me stay organized by providing more structure to my day, while also helping me socially by creating a network of friends across all grade levels."

Fellow men's soccer first-year Juan-Sebastian Niehenke of Morristown, N.J., echoed the impact of his teammates, describing the group as "a solid support system for transitioning into an off-brand first year of college. They are always around for advice on anything."

First-year tennis player Ally Friedman of East Hampton, N.Y., remembered her apprehension at the start of the year. "I was beyond terrified coming to Bates. However, coming in with an immediate support system and people to bond with was very helpful. We had our love of tennis and were able to use that to build and create great friendships."
  Returning students on athletic teams, especially captains, came into this year mindful of how different it would be for their newest teammates and how essential it would be to build their team cultures.

As a senior leader on the women's basketball team, captain Julia Middlebrook of Ridgefield, Conn., said she is hyperaware how this season can affect her newest teammates.

"In the beginning of the year we had a team meeting addressing that regardless of how long you have been on this team, it doesn't matter. We need to provide a safe space for first-years to feel comfortable that makes their transition so much easier and enjoyable." 

COVID-19 protocols mean that teams are not able to gather in large groups in ways they usually would to welcome new teammates. Captains and coaches alike have had to get creative. 

"We meet in smaller groups, set up times to lift together, play wall ball together, and get to know them more personally," said senior men's lacrosse player Peyton Weatherbie of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. "Overall, my goal is to help them have a positive experience, as I did my first year at Bates."
 
Many teams, including men's lacrosse, have long-standing mentorship programs, where each first-year regularly meets with a returning student to talk about any number of topics, such as academics, organization and time management, or navigating campus life.

Looking back on his own time at Bates, Weatherbie has seen the value of this program year in and year out, but this year it's extra important "to be a friend from the moment the first-years step on campus. This year, COVID-19 restrictions have limited how much students can connect with their peers, which has made the mentorship more crucial than in years past."
 
Amidst all the restrictions faced by students due to the pandemic, there's at least one new freedom: Spring teams were allowed by the NESCAC to hold fall practices with their coaching staffs present.

Video: "First-year Bobcats 'spring' into fall'


"It was so valuable for our team to be able to practice in a fall like this one," said softball head coach McKell Barnes. "Especially after having our last spring season come to an abrupt end, practicing this semester has allowed us to pick up where we left off and get to know our first-years a bit more. While we still have a lot of work to do, this fall gave us a chance to do what we love and gave us a taste of what we missed out on last spring. We're itching to get back out there."

"The value, particularly with students facing historic uncertainty and stress, and dealing with so many adjusted realities, goes deep," said men's lacrosse head coach Peter Lasagna. "In terms of observation, connection, and mental health support, I am not sure what could be more productive and beneficial for our first-year students and their teammates and coaches than spending time together, outside on Garcelon Field, doing one of the things that is most important to their happiness and sense of self-worth."

While student-athletes around the country have felt great loss, the chance to just practice on the fields, courts, and in the pool alongside teammates and coaches brought Bates student-athletes real joy and gratitude.

"Being able to practice with the coaches has been great," said first-year men's lacrosse player Anders Corey of Yarmouth, Maine. 

"Missing my senior-year season was awful — I missed every aspect of competing. It was a huge setback because it has been a whole year where we haven't been able to learn and develop from in-game situations. Fortunately, we have been able to practice with coaches this fall, which has helped to make up for the season we lost as we head into the spring season."

"I have loved being able to practice with the team," said Molly Harmon of Farmington, Maine, a first-year on the field hockey team. "Practicing with them makes me feel closer to them and I've enjoyed spending time with everyone. I also feel so lucky that we are able to practice at all in the first place. It will help us be prepared to hopefully hit the ground running next season."  This year student-athletes are not only finding extra support in their teammates, but also from being a part of the team behind Bates' teams — the larger athletic department. Bates Athletics has put in the work as a department to support student-athletes with new virtual initiatives.

The semester started with a Zoom call for all first-year athletes. Moderated by Director of Athletics Jason Fein, the call featured Middlebrook along with fellow seniors Aidan Temperino (men's rowing) of Plymouth, N.H., Haley Washington (women's tennis) of Bloomfield, Mich., and Miles Nabritt (men's track and field) of Brooklyn, N.Y.

"When I was a first-year there were no panels organized for incoming students to hear returning student-athletes speak," said Nabritt. "This was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up."

The event carried extra importance, said Nabritt, after a summer dominated by COVID-19 and police violence against Black Americans. "I thought it would be a great time to share my experiences about how I have navigated Bates during these past few years."

Like other seniors, Nabritt is aware of just how challenging this year is in terms of classes, athletic practices, and social gatherings. "I thought it would be a great way to show my support and care for first-year athletes who might be going through a lot, emotionally and psychologically."

Temperino wanted to be a part of the platform to underscore that all sorts of help and guidance is close by for any student who needs it. "I wanted to emphasize that it isn't a sign of weakness to lean on the support system established to help student-athletes."

In addition, the department has created a specific time and space for student-athlete discussions with professionals from the college's Counseling and Psychological Services. The group, 'Cats, CAPS, and Conversations, met weekly throughout the semester. The department also hosted a guest speaker, Ivy Watts, who held sessions on mental health for both staff and students.

"Throughout my entire time here as a Bates student-athlete, the track team and Bates Athletics have been there for me," said Nabritt. "Whether it was during the best of times or in the worst of times, my teammates and coaches on the track team have supported me in the past few years as well as many of the staff within the athletic department."

"While a lot has changed this year, what it means to be a student-athlete at Bates has remained pretty consistent," added Temperino. "I still feel very supported by the athletics department as a whole, and it's awesome to know that everyone is working as hard as they can to get us back on the water and ready to compete again. Seeing all the work that the administration and our coaches are doing on our behalf is inspiring and has helped me and my other teammates remain hopeful about the future."