Coach Hutchinson talks potential season, mental health of student athletes

By Ruben Nieves | Published by October 8, 2020

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, sports all over the world have been cancelled or postponed. Six months later with sports now returning, the Kean Men’s basketball team looks forward to a potential season.

Head coach Adam Hutchinson shared his thoughts on a season happening this the w

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“There’s a chance,” said Hutchinson. “The NCAA and the athletic directors and coaches are trying to get there.”

With the talks of a potential season, the season would be nine games with eight teams making the conference tournament. Hutchinson shared his expectations for his team if there were to be a season.

“Our goals would be to have a winning record, make the conference tournament and win the NJAC,” Hutchinson said.

Kean’s Center/Forward Mario Gunn who averaged 6.2 points and 6 rebounds during the 2019-2020 season, shared some of his personal and team goals for this year.

“My personal goals for the possible upcoming season is for our team to make the playoffs and get a chance to win the conference tournament and also make an all-conference team,” Gunn said.

With the restrictions of the pandemic, the practice facility is not open for the athletes to workout. However, the gym is open where the players can exercise while following social distancing guidelines. Gunn has shared how he has kept himself in shape during this time.

“To stay in shape, I’ve been running and doing push-ups and sit-ups, along with going to the park,” said Gunn.

Hutchinson spoke about an NCAA summit he participated in back in August about the mental health of student athletes and shared his thoughts.“I was humbled participating in it, listening to the stories told,” Hutchinson said. “I was humbled by those who spoke.”

In the article by the NCAA, the summit was an opportunity to discuss the issues of mental health and to also work on finding the solution to support these student-athletes. Hutchinson shared how he wants to be more aware of somebody who suffers from any mental illness.

“It made me rethink moving forward, to have better awareness of mental health issues going into the season,” he said.

Hutchinson feels when speaking about the mental health of his players it will be better if he were to speak to them face to face.

“My intention is to speak to them when we are able to meet in person,” he said. “I spoke to the players who are staying on campus and those who are at home and how they are managing the new normal and how they are doing.”

With the talks of a nine game season, Gunn shared some advice Hutchinson shared with him on how to be safe.

“Coach has told me to stay safe particularly because this is a very unique situation. But it is important to follow the guidelines given to us,” Gunn said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been new safety guidelines and social distancing rules that everyone has been told to follow to keep everyone safe. Hutchinson shared the necessary requirements in order to keep himself and his team safe and healthy for the potential season.

“Be COVID free. The most current knowledge is to wear a mask, social distance, and avoid being indoors with large amounts of people” Hutchinson said.

With the new freshmen players on the team, Hutchinson not having to face a similar situation asks his new players how they’ve been dealing and adjusting to this new normal.

“I’ve never experienced what they’re going through right now,” said Hutchinson. “I have been asking them questions and listening to them, and I still tell them to manage their time and make sure to talk to their professors.”

Since there have been talks between the NCAA and the coaches on how to keep the players safe and how to conduct a nine game season for a potential college basketball season, Hutchinson believes the first game would start Jan. 21. Hutchinson also believes small practices can be held as early as this Fall, but a full practice could be held Jan. 7.

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