By Brynn Sherbert; April 27, 2021
The NCAA is allowing all student-athletes to compete for an additional season of competition with an extended period of eligibility due to previous seasons’ cancellations caused by the pandemic. In total, 16 senior athletes will return to compete in their final season as Broncos on August 16.
Previously, Division II athletes would only receive an extra year of eligibility if their team did not compete in more than 50% of the scheduled competitions. However, after the NCAA revised the eligibility rules, the Division II committee is now granting fall and winter athletes an extra year of eligibility regardless of their participation in the 2020-21 season. The decision to extend student-athlete’s eligibility was announced in October.
Both the men and women’s soccer teams have seven returning senior players and the women’s volleyball team is welcoming back two seniors, while men and women’s cross country teams have no returning senior athletes.
Senior midfielder Allison Hung expressed her motivation for deciding to stay one extra year at CPP.
“I decided to come back in the fall because I saw an opportunity to further my education through a masters program and wanted to take advantage of the NCAA giving students an extra year of eligibility,” Hung said.
After she graduates, Hung plans on staying in the sports industry and redefining the pay-to-play mentality prevalent in American sports by curating a team or business. Hung acknowledge she is blessed to have experienced playing soccer at CPP and wants to pass forward the same opportunities to the next generation of athletes.
Senior goalkeeper Jordan Aldama, is taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility to enjoy playing soccer one last season. Aldama is staying active and playing every day to stay in shape for his return.
“Since I first joined an organized team at age 3, soccer has been consistently involved in my life to the point where it helped shape me into the young man I am today,” Aldama said. “To suddenly walk away from the sport without realizing I did it all for the last time did not sit right with my soul so I could not be done just yet.”
Aldama explained that the cheerful feeling of being with his team in the locker room, and lacing up his cleats to compete is something he cannot wait to experience again.
Senior middle blocker for the women’s volleyball team, Jane Woodward, is determined to use her last year of eligibility to finish off her career on a high note. Woodward has been playing three times a week with the volleyball team off campus to prepare for August.
“I had only played one season at CPP before the pandemic hit,” Woodward said. “I did my time at a junior college in order to prepare to play in a program like CPP and I really did not want to give that opportunity up.”
With reports from staff writer Grace Johnson.
