Softball Senior Overcomes Adversity through Pandemic

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of so many student-athletes across the country, and the PSUGA softball team was no exception. Only two games into the 2020 campaign, the season was shut down and cancelled due to the virus. Fast forward to the following school year, and the players of the GA softball team were excited to get the season going again, and no one was more excited than the seniors. One of those seniors, Haley Snyder, unfortunately would not be joining her teammates on the field for her final season. 

Over the winter break, Snyder was exposed to COVID-19 and contracted the virus. "Symptoms materialized for me after about two days and I have never felt sicker than in the first few days. I had a migraine that almost took me to the emergency room, I had a fever of 102, my body ached with what felt like shin splints in every bone. The second half of my illness I developed the respiratory symptoms; coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. My doctor prescribed me a steroid that did not fix the symptoms, and so I was directed to go to the emergency room," she recounted. 

The trip to the emergency room ultimately diagnosed Snyder with blood clots in her lungs, prompting her to be prescribed blood thinners that would have to continue to be administered for six months. Because blood thinners restrict someone from any physical activity, this effectively ended Snyder's season and ultimately her GA softball career. However, Snyder has remained with the team, attending every practice and every game, contributing to her teammates' success in any way she can.

"She has worked with our underclassmen and her other teammates, mentoring them as they started the season," commented head coach Danielle Kochka. "Haley has been almost like an extra coach on my staff, offering hitting tips during practices and hopping in with the pitching and catching staff. She has charted pitches, kept the book, and cast live stats for us during games. Her attitude is that of someone constantly wanting to help in any way she can, and is always willing to do what we as coaches ask of her. I couldn't ask for a better player and person on this team."

Although Snyder is helping as often as possible, it has taken a toll on her. "I won't lie and say it has been easy. Sometimes I feel intense sadness from the sidelines. There is not a game that goes by that I don't want to suit up to catch, or step into the batter's box and feel the excitement and anticipation watching the ball come in. I miss the game more than I can say," she said. "The coaches and the team have been great though. Everyone has been very supportive of me and my recovery. I definitely still feel like I am part of the team, even if it isn't in the way I imagined. They are great friends and I can't imagine not having their support."

Throughout this entire ordeal, Snyder has had time to reflect on her career both at GA and over the course of her life. She thought about how and when she fell in love with the game at a young age, and how grateful she was for all of the life lessons she learned on and off the field. She talked about travel coaches, little league teammates, and high school/college coaches that have shaped her into the player and person she is today. All of her experiences lead her here, to Penn State GA. She talked about the atmosphere and the sense of family she felt the very first time she came to this campus.

"I knew GA was going to be my home from the first time I visited. The softball coach at the time emailed my travel ball coach asking if I would be interested in learning more about the program, needless to say I said yes. My first time here, I came for an academic visit. There was a horrible snowstorm, I got lost because my phone died, and I was such a mess when I finally made it to campus. Everyone who was there was just surprised I made it, but incredibly welcoming and it felt great. I knew I would never have another feeling like that anywhere else and the rest is history." 

Snyder is graduating in May, and her time off has allowed her to speculate and finalize some plans for after graduation. She refuses to let this illness slow her down. Touting a 4.0 GPA, she is ready to take on the future. In describing her plans and how GA has prepared her for life after graduation, she said, "I am hoping to be a clinical psychologist, maybe the first person in my family to get a doctoral degree. Softball has given me a patience and confidence to get me through anything and everything. I have no doubt I will be using that forever. I am hoping that I will come out of this illness rejuvenated and ready to just attack life with an enthusiasm I haven't had before."

But even though she looks to the future, she will not forget the trials and tribulations that her last two years of college brought. When asked to leave behind a piece of advice for her teammates or potential GA softball players, she had this to say: "I think that the most important take away from this is that a situation is only as bad as your reaction to it. I spent too much time being angry, sad, and defeated. Of course, I think it was important for me to grieve what happened, but to dwell on it was not going to get me anywhere. As long as I view this situation as a learning curve, that's all the more it will be. I am alive. I have amazing friends. I get to accompany them on one last season and for that I am grateful."

-Danielle Kochka