This is Sideline Stories. A platform where NE10 student-athletes can share their collegiate experiences in an unfiltered environment - using their voices to promote growth and positive change in our league and in all of NCAA Division II athletics.

Brendan Ebert, a captain on the Southern Connecticut baseball team, talks about the difficulty of accepting a lost season from a senior's perspective, as well as understanding that there is something higher at stake currently. Here is his Sideline Story:

On Monday, March 9th, all competing spring sports were notified that their spring break trips were canceled, which, for the baseball team, highlighted a six-game schedule down in the Sunshine State to lead us into conference play the next weekend.

Later that day, we continued to practice, as scheduled, with everyone panicking, to say the least. Players continued to ask questions like, “Is our season canceled?”

Initially, I thought these chances were slim, but then the unfortunate sequence of events continued to hammer down on us, then just like that, it was over.

At first, I was a little shook up that my senior season was being taken away from not only myself, but from all of the seniors on our team and all of the spring sport athletes in their final year of eligibility at SCSU, throughout the NE10, and nationwide.

Eventually, I came to realize that it was in the best interest of both the NCAA and the NE10 to suspend play, even if some may disagree with such a drastic, heartbreaking decision.

The most disappointing part of all is that our time and efforts were ultimately wasted.

When the fall semester began back in August, we began our fall season workouts; both on-the-field and in the weight room. We all worked our tails off to be better than the guy next to us and with that, we were a better all-around unit and the team began to come together as one.

When preseason began on January 10th, everyone was ready to go, and this special team was hungry for Opening Day. Later, after playing just 10 of our scheduled 44 games, our season was canceled.

Although the NCAA has granted all spring sport student-athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the global pandemic of the COVID-19 virus, for some it is still over.

Many seniors have had their eyes set on the May graduation date for years, and even though the NCAA will allow these student-athletes back, some may still choose to continue on with their lives and live with the fact that they will never compete as a student-athlete again.

I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to play with this special team of 33 guys and wouldn’t trade that for the world. The bond that this team had was like no other and I wish this team could play just one last game together.

As of now, my status is uncertain for next season, but I would like to wish the best of luck to all of my teammates, especially those seniors whom do decide to move on from SCSU baseball.

During this difficult time, matters are much greater than just baseball, or intercollegiate athletes, in general. This global pandemic has made me realize that you must cherish each and every day, no matter what the situation. Anything can come to an abrupt ending; with that being a relationship, athletics career, job, or even life.

Thanks for reading up to this point; I’m almost done.

Seriously, as this battle against the COVID-19 virus continues, please continue to wash your hands and take precaution during this troublesome time. We will get through this! #UnitedAsOne #WeAreSC

-Brendan Ebert (a.k.a. Bert)