What are your thoughts on the women's golf team's 2019-20 season ending the way it did?
"Inasmuch as it's disappointing for our season to end, we are thankful for the steps taken, first by the SEC and then filtered down to Ross Bjork, and our leadership. We know the decisions made were not easy, but we understand the health and safety of our student-athletes and staff were of the utmost importance.Â
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"As of last week, we remained hopeful we would be able to mitigate our circumstances. I was proud of our staff already taking steps to provide a healthy work environment that would allow our student-athletes to maintain as normal a schedule as possible. Since we were still on spring break, (assistant coach) Kat (Bruner) and I kept our players informed throughout the week with the constant communication we were receiving from our department. Obviously, with the situation being fluid, our circumstances changed rapidly so that we could not really implement most of our plans. By the end of the week, we felt it was best for our players to stay home (since we were on spring break), and it was of paramount importance to have Blanca (Spain) and Stephanie (Denmark) on flights heading back home so all could be with their families.
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What was your message to the team?
"During last week's changing news, we kept our athletes informed. All we could do was wait so we could make the best decision for everyone. I was really proud of all our players and their response to this difficult situation. They are all doing their best to keep an upbeat attitude and respond as well as they can to these circumstances. It has demonstrated to us how much they respect and appreciate the schedules we have in place to help them progress in their academics and their golf games. I am even more convinced that what we are doing here on a day-to-day basis is preparing them for success in their futures after their college experience here at Texas A&M."
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What are you doing with all the unexpected time?
"During this time, I am working remotely and staying busy. I'm catching up on e-mails and staying in contact with my players and recruits. I'm reading, reflecting and praying for everyone. Today was the first day I actually went out to play some golf just to feel some normalcy. As I've told our players how important it is to have a routine, I also need to do this for myself, especially in a time such as this.
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"Today we were supposed to leave for our next tournament, the Liz Murphey in Athens, Ga. I know the team was excited about this trip, as we were building momentum. I was especially excited since I was returning to the site of my last NCAA Championship victory back in 2013, and felt our team could have a really great tournament. All of this changed so rapidly and it feels strange not being with the team and getting on a plane to continue our season.
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"The only thing happening here in College Station that is on schedule for me right now is that I am having the opportunity to watch my house being built. My foundation just got done yesterday, so I'm excited to watch the progress being made."
"Inasmuch as it's disappointing for our season to end, we are thankful for the steps taken, first by the SEC and then filtered down to Ross Bjork, and our leadership. We know the decisions made were not easy, but we understand the health and safety of our student-athletes and staff were of the utmost importance.Â
Â
"As of last week, we remained hopeful we would be able to mitigate our circumstances. I was proud of our staff already taking steps to provide a healthy work environment that would allow our student-athletes to maintain as normal a schedule as possible. Since we were still on spring break, (assistant coach) Kat (Bruner) and I kept our players informed throughout the week with the constant communication we were receiving from our department. Obviously, with the situation being fluid, our circumstances changed rapidly so that we could not really implement most of our plans. By the end of the week, we felt it was best for our players to stay home (since we were on spring break), and it was of paramount importance to have Blanca (Spain) and Stephanie (Denmark) on flights heading back home so all could be with their families.
Â
What was your message to the team?
"During last week's changing news, we kept our athletes informed. All we could do was wait so we could make the best decision for everyone. I was really proud of all our players and their response to this difficult situation. They are all doing their best to keep an upbeat attitude and respond as well as they can to these circumstances. It has demonstrated to us how much they respect and appreciate the schedules we have in place to help them progress in their academics and their golf games. I am even more convinced that what we are doing here on a day-to-day basis is preparing them for success in their futures after their college experience here at Texas A&M."
Â
What are you doing with all the unexpected time?
"During this time, I am working remotely and staying busy. I'm catching up on e-mails and staying in contact with my players and recruits. I'm reading, reflecting and praying for everyone. Today was the first day I actually went out to play some golf just to feel some normalcy. As I've told our players how important it is to have a routine, I also need to do this for myself, especially in a time such as this.
Â
"Today we were supposed to leave for our next tournament, the Liz Murphey in Athens, Ga. I know the team was excited about this trip, as we were building momentum. I was especially excited since I was returning to the site of my last NCAA Championship victory back in 2013, and felt our team could have a really great tournament. All of this changed so rapidly and it feels strange not being with the team and getting on a plane to continue our season.
Â
"The only thing happening here in College Station that is on schedule for me right now is that I am having the opportunity to watch my house being built. My foundation just got done yesterday, so I'm excited to watch the progress being made."