Story courtesy of Ashland's Sports Information Department
Ashland, Ohio -- Ashland University's women's basketball team wasn't going to let a pandemic stop its community outreach efforts.
In the past, the Eagles would go to Brethren Care Village in Ashland to spend time with the residents. Not being able to do that due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program went a different route – a pen pal program.
"We have a really good relationship with Brethren Care," noted Ashland head coach Kari Pickens. "Our athletes have been able to go up and spend time with the residents frequently, so in lieu of that not being able to happen, we've tried to figure out a few ways to be creative.
"They did a talent show in the spring that wasn't in-person, it was virtual, and we had three of our girls participate. We had one of their employees reach out to us about the pen pal program, and we had a ton of interest from our players to reach out and make those connections. This pandemic has been incredibly isolating. My hope is that it was rewarding on both ends…and to feel like you made a positive impact."
In past years, Ashland's seniors would volunteer to serve at the AU freshman welcome dinner. That, too, won't happen this year. Pickens, her staff and players are looking for ways to continue to care for the community during this unique time.
"We're going to have to be really creative, trying to do as much stuff virtually as we can," said Pickens. "We often times connect with Brethren Care and the local schools, and so I'm not sure what that's going to look like right now. But I know that we're committed and invested to doing our best to make that happen."
Pickens also is asking the community for input, and those who have outreach ideas can contact her at 419-289-5469 or kpickens@ashland.edu.
"Please reach out to me, because we'd love to make it happen," she said.
The start of the 2020-21 Ashland women's basketball season has been pushed back due to continued response to the pandemic. The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced on Aug. 12 a suspension of all sports competition through the end of the 2020 calendar year, meaning a season which normally would begin in November isn't slated to start until January.
"I know people are so tired of doing things virtually. We are going to do as much as we can to stay connected with the community, because it is important," Pickens said. "A big reason why our student-athletes come to Ashland is to play in front of the community, the support that we have."
Over the last nine seasons, perhaps the best nine-season stretch in NCAA Division II women's basketball history, Ashland University has an overall record of 277-27 (.911), two D-II national championships, two D-II national runner-up finishes, eight D-II postseason qualifications, seven GLIAC Tournament titles, six GLIAC regular-season titles, seven GLIAC South Division titles and a D-II-record 73-game winning streak.
Ashland also is the only NCAA Division II women's basketball program to have two undefeated seasons all-time (37-0 in 2016-17, 31-0 in 2019-20).
