Welcoming back Torero athletes
Men’s and women’s basketball excited to get back on the court
Jarek Morgan / Assistant Sports Editor / The USD Vista
Just when you wanted to give up hope, finally, after 17 brutal months students are thankfully coming back to school and one thing is for sure; student athletes are beyond excited to be back on campus practicing and playing the games they love so much.
Players from both the men’s and women’s basketball teams shared what they are looking forward to and what they have done to stay busy and in shape while being away from USD.
Joshua Parrish, a second-year graduate student on men’s basketball, was excited to be stepping foot back on campus.
“Personally, I’m most excited just to get back to a normal season, with fans and without quarantines,” Parrish said. “Trust me, last year was the furthest thing from normal; playing in empty gyms isn’t exactly ideal, and we were quarantined five times. Think about that for a second…. five 14 day quarantines in the middle of the season…that’s 70 days in isolation.”
The immense dedication a student athlete must have is crucial to their success.
Parrish is a perfect example of that work ethic: a WCC all-academic athlete, delivering almost 11 points a game last year, another four rebounds per game, and sprinkling almost two assists a game.
He knows the hard work required to maintain elite play both on and off the court. Parrish explained what he has done to maintain his training and academics, something that oftentimes gets overlooked.
“As a student athlete, you almost have no choice but to figure out how to manage both,” Parrish said.
He elaborated on the time management it takes to balance everything on his plate.
“Personally, it can be tough, as having a schedule that includes workouts/practice from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and class from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. isn’t exactly ideal. However, time management has helped me manage both training and academics, whether working out early in the morning…[and] even sacrificing meals to do class work or workout, I’ve developed a sufficient balance between the two,” Parrish said.
Needless to say, fans are stoked to see number 4 back in blue and white this season and students are excited to watch the team live from the Jenny Craig Pavilion, as they compete on the court once again.
Parrish encouraged students to support USD men’s basketball.
“Check us out in the JCP this season! It’s going to be a fun year, just wait on it.”
Just as excited to hit the ground running is USD senior Kendall Bird, on the women’s basketball team.
She flashed a huge smile after sharing some of the things she is excited about for this upcoming season.
“The thing I’m most excited for this season is getting to finally face the competitive match ups that we missed out on last year when games were canceled because of COVID-19 related issues,” Bird said. “We have a lot of unfinished business and a lot to prove because of it.”
COVID-19 has certainly affected us all in many ways, but Bird has stayed the course and continues to outwork the workers.
Bird, an All-Academic honorable mention, averaged just under eight points per game, snagged four rebounds per game, and was the team’s leading shot blocker during her junior season.
Bird’s feelings about returning to campus are something most athletes and students all have in common.
“The thing I’m looking forward to most about being back on campus is just the all around environment of being on campus with all of the other students again,” Bird said. “And most of all getting to see our friends and family in the stands at our games again.”
The Toreros have their sights set on being one of the best teams in the country this season, and students, faculty and families will be right there in attendance with them, cheering loudly, thankful to be back supporting their fellow students and friends.