This fall semester has been one for the books, especially when it comes to sports. With major adjustments and safety precautions in place due to COVID-19, game days looked different. In some instances, teams were forced to reschedule or even cancel games due to cases on their respective teams.
At Texas State, every fall sport was fortunate enough to still be able to play out their seasons in a redesigned manner; fans were able to come out and show their support in a limited capacity.
Members of the media had to adjust as well. As a photographer, my job was altered, but I am thankful I was still able to get on the field safely.
Football
Texas State running back Calvin Hill carries the ball up the middle of the field during a drill at practice, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium.
Personally, football is my favorite sport to capture and the one I was most involved with this year. Some of my favorite pictures I have ever taken are from this season. Since game days are an all-day event, there are so many opportunities to capture other aspects of the game—the reactions of players on and off the field.
Before the semester officially started, the Texas State football team took the field during fall camp in preparation for the 2020 season and got its first glimpse at the new normal. Masks had to be worn, social distancing was enforced and the team had to get tested multiple times a week.
There were multiple changes to the original schedule as other conferences canceled their seasons. The cancellations opened up spots for the Bobcats to take on teams such as Brigham Young University and Boston College.
The Bobcats practiced almost every day and were required to get up to three COVID-19 tests a week to ensure safety for the weekend’s game and inner-squad protection.
Behind the lens: Football Practice
Texas State sophomore quarterback Brady McBride gets ready to throw the football to a target during practice, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium.
Texas State freshman running back Diego Mendoza (34) runs through a drill while carrying a football at practice, Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium.
Texas State freshman safety Zion Childress (11) watches on the sidelines during a drill at practice while wearing a mask, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 at Bobcat Stadium.
The Bobcats’ defensive players huddle together and pump one another up before moving into the next section of practice, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium
At practice, we got our first look at sophomore quarterback Brady McBride along with the other new Bobcats taking the field. Along with the new commits and transfers were returning Bobcats looking to improve in 2020. Under Head Coach Jake Spavital, the Bobcats prepared for a season in which no one knew what would happen.
For photographers, football game access was limited. Only a few photographers were allowed field access throughout the season. Along with special wristbands for field access, everyone had to get screened and wear a mask the entire time; however, once inside Bobcat Stadium, the Bobcats' energy was fun to capture.
Even though the team finished 2-10 overall with only one home win, the games were filled with exciting plays and special moments between the players and coaches.
Behind the lens: Football
Texas State junior cornerback Kordell Rodgers (3) celebrates after his teammate scores a touchdown against UTSA, Friday, Sept. 12, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium. The game ended in a 51-48 double-overtime loss for Texas State.
Texas State junior wide receiver Marcell Barbee (18) jumps over a University of Louisiana at Lafayette defender to catch a 33-yard pass in the endzone and score, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats lost 44-34 against the Ragin' Cajuns.
Texas State sophomore kicker Seth Keller (43) runs into the endzone to score after a fake field goal during the game against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats lost 44-34.
Texas State sophomore defensive lineman Jordan Revels (91) sacks the Appalachian State University senior quarterback Zac Thomas (12), Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats lost 38-17.
Texas State sophomore running back Jahmyl Jeter (28) dodges Appalachian State defenders while running the ball upfield, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats lost 38-17.
Texas State junior linebacker Markeveon Coleman holds up the football after recovering a fumble from Arkansas State, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats won 47-45.
Texas State Head Football Coach Jake Spavital hugs sophomore quarterback Brady McBride (2) after the Bobcats score their final touchdown that solidified their win over Arkansas State, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium. Texas State won 47-45.
Before the final game of the season, tragedy struck the Bobcats as sophomore defensive back Khambrail Winters was fatally shot Nov. 25. The team honored Winters before the game and walked arm-in-arm holding his jersey.
Players of the Texas State football team walk out to the field while carrying Khambrail Winters' jersey in tribute to their teammate before a game against Coastal Carolina University, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, at Bobcat Stadium.
Soccer
The Bobcat soccer team finished 4-9-1 overall and had a brief run in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The team had a shortened game schedule, only playing 14 games overall and, in conference play, only faced the four Sun Belt teams in its division.
Many of the same COVID-19 precautions as football were put into place, including player COVID-19 testing and limited capacity at games. Players on the sidelines and fans in attendance were also required to wear masks.
As a photographer, field access was much more limited; we were restricted to only one side of the field instead of being allowed around the entire sideline.
Behind the lens: Soccer
Texas State freshman goalie Beth Agee (0) kicks the ball back into play during the game against Arkansas State, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. The Bobcats lost 1-0 in double overtime.
Texas State junior defender Addison Gaetano (22) pushes back an Arkansas State defender as she dribbles the ball down the field, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. The Bobcats lost 1-0 in overtime.
Texas State sophomore forward/midfielder Kamaria Williams (3) prepares to kick a soccer ball past Arkansas State opponents during a game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, at Bobcat Soccer Complex.
The Bobcats celebrate together after freshman forward Olivia Wright (20) scores against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. The Bobcats won 2-1 over the Trojans.
Texas State senior midfielder/forward Mackenzie Smith (18) fights against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock junior midfielder Fanney Einarsdottir (25) to get the ball, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. The Bobcats won 2-1 over the Trojans.
Volleyball
The final sport of the fall semester I got to cover was volleyball. The team was on a mission to win the Sun Belt Conference for the third time in a row and was successful in that goal. Under new Head Coach Sean Huiet, the Bobcats went 24-2 overall and are set to participate in the NCAA tournament in 2021.
When looking at the season from a COVID-19 perspective, many things changed. The team played a three-game series over one weekend against each Sun Belt team in its division instead of the typical one home and one away game throughout the season. On the court, the teams wore masks on the sidelines, did not switch sides of the court between matches and opted for a wave after the game instead of shaking hands.
The typical floor bleachers of Strahan Arena were not open to fans, and the media were limited to just the upper-level seating. Masks were required at all times, and there was a capacity limit for Strahan Arena.
Behind the lens: Volleyball
The Texas State volleyball team comes together in celebration after scoring a point during the match against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on Oct. 17, 2020, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won 3-0.
Texas State defensive specialist Kayla Tello jump-serves the ball to the waiting players of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on Oct. 17, 2020, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won 3-0.
Texas State middle blocker Tyeranee Scott (3) approaches to hit the volleyball to the University of Louisiana Monroe defense, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won 3-0.
Texas State volleyball junior outside hitter Kenedi Rutherford (1) high fives her teammates as she comes off the court during a game against the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won all three games against the Warhawks this weekend.
Texas State junior setter Emily DeWalt (17) jump sets the ball to an approaching hitter during the first set of a game against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won 3-1 against the Trojans.
Texas State junior hitters Jillian Slaughter (8) and Janell Fitzgerald (16) jump to double-block the incoming hit from Little Rock, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won 3-1.
Texas State redshirt sophomore Lauren Teske (18) swings at the volleyball in an attempt to score a kill against the University of Texas at Arlington, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats swept the Mavericks 3-0.
Texas State junior defensive specialist Kayla Granado (6) digs a serve from the University of Texas at Arlington during the first set of a game, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats swept the Mavericks 3-0.
The Texas State volleyball team celebrates after scoring the match point and beating the University of Texas Arlington 3-0, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at Strahan Arena.
This season, I was also able to photograph Huiet and his son, Declan, for a feature story. I loved that opportunity to see a different side of the team outside the game and learn more about the people who make up the volleyball team.
Declan talks to senior middle blocker Tyeranee Scott during a break in the team's practice, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2020, at Strahan Arena.
During a break between drills, volleyball Head Coach Sean Huiet hugs and plays with his son, Declan, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2020, at Strahan Arena.
Overall, this semester has been one full of adjustments—learning how to do my job differently and being thankful for the opportunities. At the beginning of the pandemic, I think everyone wondered if fall sports would even happen, and if so, how? I think Texas State Athletics has been successful at keeping the teams and fans safe while still allowing play to continue.
I hope the Bobcat community and the world as a whole can continue to work together to keep one another safe by showing respect and taking proper precautions when around others. We can now look forward to the start of men’s and women’s basketball in the final month of the year and then baseball and softball later in 2021, but we must stay safe just as we did this semester to get there.
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