How Sports has Changed At the College

With the recent rise in cases of COVID-19, there have been many changes to how facilities at the College of Charleston operate. The Johnson and Silcox Recreation Center has altered some old methods of functionings and implemented new strategies to accommodate COVID-19 guidelines. This includes forbidding close contact sports such as basketball.

Some of the new sports and activities offered to students are table tennis, pickleball and badminton. Volleyball is also offered for students to play. All of these are sports that can be played while being socially distanced.

Throughout the week, Johnson and Silcox Recreation Center hosts different themed sports nights. They have pickleball on Monday, table tennis on Tuesdays, wiffle ball/half rubber on Wednesdays, volleyball on Thursdays and Fun Park Fridays.

The Fun Park Fridays include mini golf, golf simulator and batting cages for students.

There have also been intramural leagues instituted for many of these so students can still participate in sports despite the unavailability of regular leagues that would be offered such as basketball and flag football.

This year, Campus Recreation Services also introduced fishing as one of the intramural sports offered for students.

As far as other workout equipment, machines and workout areas are socially distant from each other. George Street Fitness Center has limited its capacity to 30 students. Everyday the Fitness Center holds an open recreation period when students can come workout between 8:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. and from 12:00 to close Monday through Friday. On the weekends, the George Street Fitness Center is open for recreation throughout all hours of operation.

Even though some of the usual ways to stay active on campus are not available at this time, there are plenty of alternatives out there for student fitness. Students can really take this time to try out a new sport or finally be able to play a sport they enjoy—all while being socially distant and at a reduced risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.