In March, the COVID-19 pandemic totally disrupted the world as we knew it. All of us were forced to shelter in place, wear masks in public, social distance, and limit the size of any gathering. Students and teachers moved to an online learning model – one that is going to continue into the start of the fall academic year.
After just a few days of practice, the baseball season came to a screeching halt…..no Gulf Shores trip over spring break, no conference games, no games against rivals NCHS or U-High, no chance to play in the postseason….there was no season.
As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, find a way to make lemonade. This year required student athletes, coaches, and parents to make gallons of lemonade! It tested the resolve of everyone in the West baseball program, and only reinforced Coach Hawkins’ core principals of “Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul.”
Here are a few highlights from the season that never was…..
A special video from the varsity players to Coach Hawkins (created by Cheryl Shook) – https://youtu.be/gpxNzKyIeBI
Alec McGinnis and Evan Hutson put things into perspective in this WMBD news interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix8jr5XMDGA
Coach Hawkins’ interview with Randy Kindred – https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/high-school/baseball/watch-now-normal-west-baseball-coach-chris-hawkins-devastated-by-cancellations-but-finds-comfort-in/article_fe9ad2e8-2991-51ac-af02-d0ca9f100345.html
A video Coach Hawkins helped to create for the players this season – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NFqJNlEXnzrwsTZId5WvOzBmH6FpWW8v/view?usp=drivesdk
