After almost a year without organized Dean sports, an announcement on Monday, March 9, 2021 shared some great news. Dean athletics are BACK for the 2021 spring semester.
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference, or more simply known as, GNAC is a NCAA Division III conference made up of thirteen teams all of which are located in the New England area. Taken from the Dean website, GNAC stated that “With the health and well-being of student-athletes and campus communities remaining the top priority, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Presidents' Council has voted to authorize limited conference play for spring sports.” Later in the article, GNAC goes on to say that “finalized schedules are not yet public.” GNAC has authorized limited conference play for baseball, softball and both mens and womens lacrosse planning to start the season mid-March. All spring sports within the GNAC will adhere to NCAA testing and safety procedures for conference play. The Director of Athletics at Dean College, George Martin gave his perception on the resumption of spring sports. “After a challenging year, Dean is excited that our student-athletes can soon begin competition,” said Director of Athletics George Martin. “We will work with other GNAC institutions to create a schedule that meets all health and safety guidelines and protocols.”
(The photo graphic shown on the Dean Athletics website)
In preparation for this exciting news that had everyone waiting on their edge of their seats for the decision, I interviewed new athletic director of Dean, George Martin to get his thoughts on the decision and his vision for Dean athletics moving forward. To give a brief overview of George Martin’s career; Martin was the director of athletics at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire and was also the head coach of the women’s basketball team for over twenty-five seasons while at Colby-Sawyer.
(George Martin during his women's basketball coaching run at Colby-Sawyer College)
Question 1: What went into the decision of the resumption of spring sports; How long did it take to come to this conclusion?
Martin: “There have been months of planning to buy all of the Presidents and Athletic Directors in the conference to this point. Each decision has been based on the health and well being of every campus, every community member, and every student athlete of the various institutions.”
Question 2: What is something that you look to bring to Dean athletics that it has not had in years past?
Martin: “I think I bring a great deal of experience of working in an NCAA DIII athletic department. I have 26 years of coaching experience that involves working with student athletes at this level, and I also have 18 years of administrative experience as well. As Dean transitions into a full time member of the NCAA DIII community, all of that experience will be an invaluable asset.”
Question 3: As a basketball coach at Colby-Sawyer College, do you have any plans taking on a coaching role at Dean?
Martin: “I have loved my coaching days and they have allowed me to have some wonderful experiences and afforded me the opportunity to work with some amazing student athletes. But my coaching days are behind me. I have enjoyed working with our coaches here at Dean in helping them in any way I can, and look forward to finding ways to impact the student athletes here at Dean.”
After almost a year without Dean athletics, they are expected to come back within the next few weeks. Like Director of Athletics George Martin said, this has been a months-long process in coming to this decision and everyone is cautiously optimistic to resume collegiate play. Even though there will be no attendance at these games, the coaches and student athletes are ecstatic to get their seasons rolling. This is another big step in having college life slowly but surely become more normal, but in the safest way possible.
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