In our continuing series of interviews with Collegiate Head Coaches on the current state of the game and the effect of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic currently gripping our nation and world; We speak with William Peace University Head Coach Charlie Dobbins.
Coach Dobbins is in his 21st season at WPU and has averaged at least 20 wins in each season. The Pacers had a 5-8 record in 2020 before the cancellation of the season came.
RTS: The COVID-19 Pandemic has obviously been one of the most unique and disturbing times in our country’s history. From the standpoint of Collegiate Athletics it has been unprecedented in the fact of its impact on all sports including softball. Talk a little about how it has affected your program particularly. Where were you and your team when they found out the season had been canceled? How did you break the news that the 2020 season was over to your athletes and the immediate and aftereffect of announcement since?
Dobbins: I actually found out about it one hour before practice on March 12. We were preparing for one of our biggest home weekends of the year, with doubleheaders scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This weekend is always special, because we host two “Cancer” games. A Cancer for pediatric brain cancer game on Saturday and a Strikeout Cancer game on Sunday to benefit the 1ofUS.org group. We kick off a big motorcycle ride, the Raleigh Pink Ribbon Ride every year. Myself and several of my kids had actually painted the logos on the field Wednesday evening. I met with my assistant coaches, let them know the news and informed the team. I think everyone struggled processing the finality of the announcement. The team immediately surrounded the two seniors, and with lots of tears and hugs supported them. We spent about 45 minutes just talking, then they gave me a Gatorade “bath”. So we left the field with at least some smiles.
RTS: As a coach what are your opinions on how NCAA has handled the outbreak and the cancellation of the 2020 season?
Dobbins: I don’t think they really had any options. They were processing the information as it came to them, sometimes several times a day. Looking back it was the right call.
RTS: How does the cancellation affect what you will do in the future from an operational and progressive program standpoint since you are losing the season?
Dobbins: Honestly, we just have to move on. I am treating it like a season ending injury. Take a few moments to reflect on what it could have been but don’t let it define you going forward. We will work hard and be ready for the next season.
RTS: NCAA has now granted a year of eligibility back to the student-athletes that lost the 2020 season; How is this affecting your recruiting and roster management moving forward?
Dobbins: This is going to be a bit of an unknown challenge especially for a Division III program. Our student athletes are not traditionally on 5 year plans. They are graduate on time and move into careers or further education. Obviously they would want to “finish” their senior seasons, but financially that would be expensive for them. This is more of a challenge for the Division I and II programs regarding rosters and scholarship dollars. My biggest concern is the impact this will have on the 2020 incoming class. The impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic has affected employment nationwide; Impacted families will have to make hard decisions.