Top Performances of the Week, The NCAA & Covid-19

3.8.2020-3.15.2020

There were many outstanding efforts this week, unfortunately it was overshadowed by the developing events of Coronavirus (Covid - 19).  Not only has this disease wreaked havoc on the health of those infected by it,  it has brought the world to a screeching halt (learn the facts). No person, organization or industry is immune. The alarming rise of those that have contracted the virus in the U.S. has captured the unprecedented attention of top Government officials and leaders across the land. The sweeping consensus is the health and well-being of our people, specifically those with compromised immunity, is the top priority. That message is clear, and rightfully so.  More specifically, stringent travel, cleanliness and social gathering policies have been established at a national scale to help slow the spread of the disease.  In fact, any gathering above 10 people or so, is deemed not safe. This policy doesn't bode well for social butterflies, or those hoping to engage in the spectacle of sport. From basketball tournaments to fish fry's... it's all cancelled.

On March 12th, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors made an unprecedented decision to cancel all remaining NCAA Spring Championships. This decision goes beyond the spring stalwarts of basketball's March Madness or baseball's College World Series, but for every sport. Soccer, Softball, Track & Field, LaCrosse, and on and on, all scratched abruptly like the distinctive sound of a 1970s Hifi needle skipping the wrong way across your favorite Eagle's vinyl - Hotel California no less.  Professional sports have followed suit, at every level. Direct cancellations of leagues, games, seasons, tournaments even practices and scrimmages are not allowed.  Everything is finished or suspended. Some are still hanging onto the prospect of continuation at some point, but to coin a phrase, "It's getting late, early." And while all of this is disappointing, it's the right move. Credit the NCAA for acting swiftly for the greater good, and for announcing that most qualifying Spring sport athletes will receive an extra year of eligibility.

So much is still unknown about this disease. As we seek to solve the unknown, there is one truth about the host this virus seeks,  and that truth is our human resolve is powerful and our society will ultimately prevail.  Our work is before us,  it will likely be a challenge, but it's for times like these that the lessons we learned while participating in "sports" come to fruition.  The challenge, the effort, the organization, the relationships, the teamwork, the defeat, and the victory. The game is still played even if you are on the sidelines.

Despite all of the Covid-19 turmoil, there were some absolutely astonishing performances this week for "TheEPBrotherhood".  Before digging into our baseball guys, it's seems appropriate to mention the  Eden Prairie High School Basketball team. They had their historic season stop short because of the aforementioned Covid-19 precautions. On their way to a likely Minnesota State title, Eden Prairie defeated every other top 10 ranked team in the state, including the self-proclaimed "Best Minnesota Team Ever" Minnehaha Academy.  During that mammoth match-up, MA was ranked in the top 10 nationally and carried the #1 spot at MN AAA level. Where as Eden Prairie was ranked #1 at  AAAA. Eden Prairie won by 14. 

The EP Basketball team ended their season at 28-0, State Rank #1, and National Rank #9. While it didn't end the way they wanted, they will always be remembered as the best Eden Prairie basketball team of all-time and always part of "TheEPBrotherhood".

On to baseball... On March 8, 2020 Jack Zigan, class of 2017, lead Minnesota State - Mankato to a 7-1 victory over their in state rival St. Cloud State. Both teams play at the NCAA D2 level. Zigan's effort included a complete game (9.0) 2 hitter, including 12 strikeouts. For his performance Zigan was name the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) player of the week.

I'm not sure you can have a better offensive week than Mitchell Olson did for College of St. Scholastica. Despite the team going 2-2 on the week, Olson managed to do more than his part.  He was 10 for 16 (.625BA), with 1 home run, 1 triple, and 1 double. In addition to his hitting prowess, he collected 10 RBI's over the 4 game stretch, adding in 5 runs scored and a stolen base. Yep, pretty good. Olson is a 2018 Eden Prairie graduate in his second season with the Saints and is a Management and Marketing major.

TOP PERFORMERS

Michell Olson - OF

Sophomore

College of St. Scholastica

Performance:

On the Week (3.8-3.14)
.625 BA (10/16)

1 Double

1 Triple

1 HR 

10 RBI

1 SB

Jack Zigan - RHP

R-Sophomore

Minnesota State - Mankato

Performance:

Vs St. Cloud State
Win (1-1)

Complete Game (9.0)

2 Hits

12 Ks

NCAA
Performance:
Vs Covid - 19
Putting Safety & Health First
Providing Eligibility Relief
Opportunity:
Receiving notification that your 
dreams are temporarily on
hold via tweet... We can do better Mark.