Athletes all across the world are experiencing some sort of heartbreak at this time. Whether you are a professional athlete, a collegiate student-athlete, a high-school student-athlete, or just a recreational player. Due to the outbreak of a global pandemic, COVID-19, all sporting events across the world have either been postponed or cancelled for the foreseeable future.

While the intent of these postponements and cancellations come with the idea to slow the spread and "flatten the curve" of COVID-19 so as to eradicate the disease, it is still upsetting to have a season taken away, especially since it feels like a robbery. Many seniors in high school and college are facing this heartbreak now. Careers are over, sports are no more, and finding a new outlet will be the case for most of these student-athletes.

I guess the best way to go on in dealing with this loss is kind of like the saying they have in theater, "The show must go on!" As sad as this is, we do ourselves no good in dwelling on what we cannot control. I'd like to use my platform as a creator on this blog to offer a tribute to one of my teammates, Hallianne Hobson, who had her final season cut short by COVID-19.

Hal, I can not even begin to think of words sufficient enough to embody the impact you've had on me while we've shared three years at Samford together. I'll put it like this, I have never met anyone quite like you in my entire life. You are a dedicated student, a skilled golfer, and a fearless leader, but more than that you are a great friend. Finding ways to keep everyone laughing was never something that you struggled with.

I have always admired the poise with which you carried yourself amidst the chaos of the life a student-athlete leads. You always found a way to make time for everyone who needed something and that is a quality that not many people possess these days. Everyone around you always laughs, feels wanted and especially feels heard. You set a great example to our three freshman this year on what being a good teammate looks like. And even on days when things on the course weren't going quite like we would expect, you always found a way to bring us back to the reality that golf is just a game and we are blessed with the opportunity to be here playing it.

Being teammates made us extremely close. I'll be forever grateful for all of the memories that we have shared, good times and tough times, but most importantly the laughs. Your contagious work ethic and infectious personality is something I will never forget. I'm sorry your senior season ended the way it did and I truly wish I could change it all. But, you have handled yourself with the utmost grace despite all the madness.

Thank you for four years of service to our program and representing Samford University so well. I think I speak for the entire team in saying that you will be missed like crazy. Anyways, here is to you and a successful career working in the hospital. You are going to make the greatest nurse! I want to wish you nothing but the best as you begin to navigate this new chapter of your life as you've left a lasting impact on mine.

Family forever, and Go Dogs!!