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Quiet Fall, Busy Spring as Athletics Adjusts



In July, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced that all close-contact fall sports will be shifted to the spring semester, and the winter sports will have a revised season. This triggered changes in the BSC Mystics volleyball and basketball seasons.

Volleyball, which typically starts practice in August, has been moved to the spring semester. Practice can begin Jan. 11 with the first games on Jan. 29. Games will be capped at 21, with national tournaments to be played April 15-17. BSC advanced to the national tournament last season.

Men’s and women’s basketball teams can also begin practice on Jan. 11. Basketball games can start Jan. 22 with a maximum of 22 games for the season, down more than 10 from a normal year. The seasons will be extended one month with national tournaments starting April 19.

The spring Mystics baseball and softball seasons will remain intact with minor adjustments to dates.

The esports team has a strong roster of 30+ returning and new players, ready to compete in Fortnite, League of Legends, Rocket League, Madden, Smash Brothers, Fifa, Valorant and Overwatch.

"It's going to be a busy spring on campus. Right now we're just thankful there's going to be a season and the kids are going to get to compete," says BSC athletic director Buster Gillis. "We're hoping in January we may be able to have fans. I guess time will tell."


NEW COACHES, NEW OPPORTUNITIES

It’s a year of firsts for the Mystics as new coaches come on board in volleyball, men's and women's basketball and softball. Only baseball head coach Michael Keeran and esports head coach Casey Mischel return for their second season.