BY: JESSICA GARCIA, BARCELONA ‘17 PROGRAM PARTICIPANT & OPERATIONS AND MARKETING MANAGER AT NEW YORK LIZARDS
2020 was not a typical year. Life as we knew it had changed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The way we socialize, shop, become educated, receive healthcare, and work has changed. Many people have started working and learning remotely. Thousands of people were put on unemployment or were furloughed after thousands of businesses shuttered due to quarantining. Despite all of this, we have seen incredible healthcare heroes emerge, everyday people evolve and adapt to the changes, and we are all persevering through this “new normal.”
For sports fans in March, the biggest question was “When are sports going to come back?” Seasons like the NBA’s were postponed, others, such as the NLL, were canceled entirely. I was very grateful to be part of a league able to participate in a modified 2020 season. It took a lot of creativity and manpower to come up with a plan so that we could get back on the field and bring lacrosse back to the fans.
The NBA and NHL instituted a bubble in order for the leagues to resume play in their 2019-2020 seasons. This strategy was determined to deliver the best protection for players and staff. Major League Lacrosse recognized the value in this strategy and also took a bubble approach to the season, under the guidance of partnered medical professionals.
The 2020 MLL season was Major League Lacrosse’s 20th Anniversary Season. Having the ability to execute the milestone season, despite the pandemic, brought a great level of fulfillment to the league, its alumni, players, and partners.
MLL’s 20th Anniversary Season was held from July 18th to July 26th, in Annapolis, Maryland at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
MLL instituted a comprehensive testing plan, that included quarantining, testing before entry into the bubble, and detailed travel protocol.
Players and staff arrived at the bubble on Wednesday, July 15th, to check-in at the hotel. Every player that was participating in the 2020 MLL season stayed at the Westin Hotel in Annapolis. The bubble included only the hotel and the stadium. Players and staff were transported between the two locations via an exclusive shuttle service, that also underwent an exhaustive sanitization protocol. Upon arrival at either location, players and staff were temperature checked in order to be allowed admittance. Everyone was required to wear a mask at all times when roaming the hotel or up until it was time to gear up and start gameplay for the players.
There were not any fans allowed on either premise.
Before the 7-day regular season started, each team participated in training camp. The training camp consisted of two-hours of on-field training, for two days, on Thursday, July 16th, and Friday, July 17th. During the season, each team competed once against all other teams in the league, and the top four teams moved on to playoffs. There were two games daily, except for the first day of the season where all 6 teams played one game. Each team would have two days off throughout the week.
Equipment distribution was a challenge for the New York team. Most of the equipment was delivered to the office of the Chesapeake’s team, as it was in-market for the 2020 season. Some of my team’s gear was delivered to us in our office in New York before quarantine had started. During my travels to Maryland, one of my responsibilities was to bring this equipment along with me. Inside the hotel, we had built an equipment room for the first 2-3 days of everyone arriving. Each team took turns working in small groups to put the players’ and coaches ’ team bags together. Once all of the team bags were built and the equipment was distributed, all of the leftover equipment was sent back to each team’s rooms. The equipment room was then transformed into a training facility where trainers would meet the players to get stretched out or taped up.
All food and beverages were provided via individually packaged meals for players and staff at the hotel. Team managers and coaches accommodated all dietary needs and food allergy concerns. Teams ate separately and were assigned time slots to dine.
Regardless of victory or loss, the league offered opportunities for reflection and team bonding. Each team was able to reserve time in one of the conference rooms to conduct team meetings. The hotel also provided teams an outdoor area with tables, chairs, and outdoor activities where players could hang-out.
Each player, coach, and staff member had their own room to make sure we adhered to the social distancing protocols. While players understood, and some appreciated having their own space, many others missed having roommates. They didn’t let the separation keep them from socializing. I remember walking out of my room and a number of our athletes were working on their tablets/laptops, in the hallway outside their rooms, while talking and laughing.
The players experienced changes on-field to assimilate to COVID protocol as-well. Due to social distancing, MLL updated the way the field was set-up. Usually, team benches are on the same side of the field, but this year teams remained on opposite sides.
All teams played in the same stadium and shared a field, but they all had unique local partners back in their home communities that they needed to generate value for via field signage (visibility on TV). The league was creative and made the logistics work. Each team deemed the “home team” would have their local partners displayed during their game. As there were two games per night, that started within 30 minutes – 1 hour of one another, a group of league staff would change the field signs after the horn of one game and before the next whistle would go off.
Sanitation took a huge priority and was handled with great care. Locker rooms were not used throughout the season, and at all times in the stadium, the players remained outside. Players came to the stadium fully taped and equipped, and then showered and stretched back at the hotel.
Players did not share water bottles and the bottles were only handled by specific staff members. After each water bottle was filled, it was sanitized before moving on to the next one. Each player had their own box with their water bottle and a personal towel to use during the game. Coaches, athletic trainers, and any other staff members on the sideline wore a mask at all times.
We as a league, took all possible precautions to ensure the safety and health of everyone present. The season may have been shorter than a traditional season would have been, but I think it was incredible that we were even able to bring sports, especially lacrosse, back this summer. I personally can say that I am grateful to have had an opportunity to be a part of this unique season. We had some challenges but, I was able to learn and grow and better myself as a sport business professional. It was also my pleasure to have been able to, after a long period of time without sports, bring some form of normalcy into the lives of our players, fans, and partners. This was the first season I was able to travel, and, after this experience, I can’t wait to see what will be in store for our 2021 season. If we, as a league, can overcome the challenges of the pandemic, I strongly believe we can overcome anything.