Pointer Nation,

I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of our student-athletes, administration, staff, and university.  Navigating COVID19 has presented unprecedented circumstances and EVERY Pointer continues to step up to the challenges.  The return of competitions is certainly exhilarating; we host our first home contest in nearly 11 months on February 3.

With every coin there are two sides.  While returning to competition is a shiny new coin, flipping the coin over reminds me of the challenges we all still face.  COVID19 infection rates are still very high and the human life lost to the virus is sobering.  Please know, Pointer Athletics has worked and followed guidance from, the NCAA, Sports Science Institute, Portage County Public Health, UWSP Student Health Service, and Marshfield Clinic Health System Sports Medicine, Epidemiology and Athletic Training to develop the safest return to practice and play guidelines available.

Additionally, to mitigate possible transmission of COVID19 the WIAC has decided to play the winter seasons without fans.  Once again, every decision has consequences.  I was reminded this week by a parent of a senior student-athlete how hard it will be for them not to see their child compete during the athlete's last season.  A parent of a freshman student-athlete commented on the family's dream to see their child's first collegiate contest. Pointer athletes do not play for money and fame; our student athletes play for their teammates, school, alumni, friends, and their FAMILIES!  Please know we are working hard behind the scenes to make sure all the contests can be watched online.  Pointer Families and Fans, WE NEED YOU!  We know you will not be filling the bleachers and pounding the blacktop to follow the teams, but we FEEL YOUR SUPPORT!!!  As soon as we can return fans, we know you will be back in the PURPLE AND GOLD!!

Until we see you, we have MISSED YOU!!!  Pointer student-athletes are handling the pandemic as you would have expected – EXTRAORDINARILY.

My family and I wish you all continued health.  We know not being in person to witness our teams play will be difficult; however, our student-athletes are overwhelmingly ready to PLAY!

THANK YOU ALL for it is you that make being a POINTER so SPECIAL!

Sincerely,


Brad Duckworth
Director of Athletics