Davidson Women’s Basketball Team Cancels Season Due to Injuries
The Davidson women’s basketball team has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of its season due to a significant number of injuries. Despite starting the season with a program-best 12-1 record and receiving votes in the AP poll, the Wildcats were forced to forfeit games at Dayton and versus Fordham due to non-COVID health and safety protocols within the program.
The team did manage to host its Senior Night on Wednesday, but only seven players suited up for the game, with six of them playing for 25 minutes or more. The Wildcats suffered a 45-40 loss to George Washington that night, illustrating the impact of their injury woes on the court.
Coach Gayle Fulks expressed her admiration for the team’s resilience in a statement, saying, “The injuries we have sustained this season have weighed heavily on our entire program. This decision is not one that we are taking lightly, as no one wanted it to end this way. Our team of young women is the strongest, most caring, and most competitive team I have ever been a part of. Despite the challenging nature of the way this season has unfolded, our team never wavered and competed to the very end. I am confident there is no team in the country that would have handled the hardship we faced with as much grace, strength, and adaptability as our young women did. I am so proud of them.”
With a final record of 18-10, including the two forfeits, the Wildcats will not be participating in the upcoming Atlantic-10 tournament. Athletic director Chris Clunie explained the decision, saying, “The physical, mental, and emotional toll of this unfortunate and injury-riddled season has brought us to this point. We are incredibly saddened that we cannot finish out the season strong but feel this is the best decision for our scholar-athletes.”
This is not the first time a team has had to face such challenges this season. In January, TCU had to hold open tryouts to fill out its injury-depleted roster. With only six available players, the team was forced to cancel games against Kansas State and Iowa State. TCU, which also started the season on a promising note with a 13-0 record, struggled immensely after the injuries and will enter the final week of its season with a 19-9 record.
Injuries are an unfortunate reality in sports, and they can have a significant impact on a team’s performance. The Davidson women’s basketball team fought hard throughout the season but ultimately had to make the tough decision to end their season early. Despite the disappointment, the team’s resilience and determination are commendable, and they should be proud of their accomplishments. As they look towards the future, they can use this experience as motivation to come back stronger next season.