Muskingum University head baseball coach Gregg Thompson felt an overwhelming feeling of disappointment when he and his staff had to inform the team that the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) canceled all spring sports in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It was a tough time…having to relay the information from a position of strength that their season was canceled,” said Thompson.
Gregg Thompson, Muskingum Baseball Coach
Thompson believed it was necessary, though, to understand the pressure the OAC was under to determine the fate of the spring season.
“You had to be supportive of the people making the decision…there wasn’t resentment. They [the players] understood the severity of it, but there was the disappointment of just being told it was over,” said Thompson.
This situation was one of the most difficult things Thompson has encountered as a coach because of the emotions involved.
“It was probably one of the toughest talks I’ve had to give…that was a tough conversation watching grown men cry,” said Thompson.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is offering another season of eligibility for all student-athletes who compete in a spring sport, including those who are seniors this year, but Thompson doesn’t know if many athletes can or will pursue it.
“There’s going to be some guys that either financially can’t afford to come back, or, you know, maybe weren’t good enough and didn’t have an opportunity at the JV level to prove that they should play and might say it’s not worth it. So, you know, there were some careers that ended that day,” said Thompson.
Although the Muskies started their season above .500 after playing in Florida during spring break, Thompson noted the development of the underclassmen and the experience they lost was more important.
“The thing is, we are young…our freshmen are going to come back, not having gotten a year of experience. Yes, they’re still technically going to be freshmen because the NCAA is giving everyone a year back, but, you know, some other freshmen are going to come back with more experience having played more games. Some of them played all 11 and some played, you know, four or five. So, it’s going to be interesting to see what kind of growth we get out of those guys,” said Thompson.
Before the cancellation of the season, Thompson had the opportunity to coach against his son, Gavin, in Muskingum’s home-opener against Denison University.
“It was a surreal experience. A day that I will never forget,” said Thompson.
It was almost a bittersweet moment for Thompson because he is coaching the Muskies but, at the same time, wants to see his son succeed.
“I’m coaching the Muskies, and that’s what I know. I love the Muskies, and all of a sudden, you’re torn a little bit between the love of your team and the love of your kid. So, it was a unique experience…watching him get his first hit and his first RBI was neat. Watching that, it was a surreal experience. It’s been years in the making,” said Thompson.
Muskingum ended up losing to Denison 16-1 in that game on March 11.
“It wasn’t the outcome that I wanted because I wanted to beat him, but it was an amazing opportunity to witness that and see that,” said Thompson.
Thompson is keeping himself busy during this pandemic but can’t help missing playing on the field with his team.
“The biggest thing that I miss is competition. Winning and losing on both ends. The emotional rollercoaster that you’re on on a daily basis when you coach a sport that plays as many times as we do…putting your head on a pillow knowing you’re a winner, and if you didn’t happen to win that day, what do you have to do to win the next day? I think my body misses that,” said Thompson.
The recruitment of Muskingum’s incoming 2020 class is complete, and now, the baseball program eyes next season, waiting to see who steps on the field to make a team that will take a positive step in climbing the OAC ranks.
