Atkins talks COVID-19 affecting sports
by Brandon Leonard [email protected] · April 30th, 2020


Rick Atkins is in the history books as one of the best to ever do it on the ball diamond at Marion High School. An ace pitcher for the Indians throughout his career, Atkins made the leap to the next level and kicked off his freshman year as a South Dakota State University Jackrabbit. Like thousands of others across the nation, his year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic and he took the time to reflect and provide some insight on his feelings with the Marion Times.

"My initial reaction was shock. Our team was traveling from Kansas State to Oral Roberts when we found out the season had been "suspended". The first thing that came to mind was the seniors on the team. We didn't know if the NCAA would allow for them to retain eligibility for this year or not," Atkins stated. "With the recent cancellation of the season, the NCAA has granted spring sports with another year of playing eligibility. My eligibility will change from a freshman to a redshirt freshman. Even though I played in multiple games this year, I will be considered a redshirt freshman next year. The problem with this is that most athletes will have to pay for another year of schooling if they decide to return for their next redshirt year."

Atkins admits this hasn't been easy for him to keep up with his training regimen. "Ever since the quarantine was initiated, training has been very difficult. I went from throwing and lifting almost every day, traveling across the country playing baseball every day, to sitting in my room all day. It's been a struggle with the sudden change in my schedule. To try and stay in shape, I continue to run on the trail behind my house and do core/balance training when I can."

Atkins says this has changed the way he views life and the opportunities that life has presented him. "I think I can speak for a majority of people when I say this has changed my perspective on life. I never expected my freshman season to come to an end this fast, especially when it came out of nowhere. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I woke up in the morning and went to the emergency care center. From there I was diagnosed with the flu alongside two of my other teammates. We left from Kansas State to Oral Roberts. Halfway though my coach got a call, and I could hear murmurs in the back of the bus. All of the sudden we were headed back to SDSU and eventually told we had to leave campus that night. It really made me think about what I took for granted. I didn't always wanna go workout with my teammates, or go to practice, or shag balls in the outfield, but now that's the thing I miss the most."

Fortunately, Atkins has found positives with the pandemic and has used this time to relax and recover from the grind of being a student-athlete. "Although I miss playing baseball and growing my friendships through the sport, one positive from social distancing is giving my body the rest it's needed. Not only my physical body, but my mental health as well. Since Iowa plays high school baseball in the summer, I went from throwing in high school straight to throwing in college with hardly any rest. I threw 70 plus innings in my senior season of high school ball, and then led directly into throwing for my college career. Another positive of the social distancing is being able to spend time with my family. I moved six hours away from home to follow a dream, which meant I would be away and on my own for the first time in my life. It was difficult not having my family around me, but I got through it. Now I get to enjoy the company of my parents and sister every day!" Atkins said with excitement.

Despite enjoying the rest and family time, Atkins is excited for things to get back to normal like they were before. "The first thing that I am going to do when the social distancing is over is spend time with my friends who I haven't seen in awhile. I never got to see them when I was in season or away at college, and now that I'm home I still can't see them. I'm excited to hangout with my friends and start playing baseball again."

The lefty who now calls Brookings, South Dakota home intends to be a business economics major.