Cal, Stanford athletes face new mental, physical hurdles as far-flung members of ACC

Adapting to new time zones, varying COVID-19 protocols among challenges this season

When Cal and Stanford announced they were leaving the Pac-12 to join the Atlantic Coast Conference, it was hailed as a groundbreaking move that would elevate the profiles of both schools and their athletic programs. But the move also comes with a set of new challenges, including the need for athletes to adjust to new time zones, varying COVID-19 protocols, and a different level of competition.

Time zones

One of the biggest challenges for Cal and Stanford athletes will be adjusting to the new time zones. The ACC is spread out across the eastern United States, from Boston to Miami, while the Pac-12 is concentrated in the western United States. This means that Cal and Stanford athletes will have to travel across multiple time zones for games, which can disrupt their sleep schedules and make it difficult to perform at their best.

For example, when Cal travels to play Miami, they will have to adjust to a three-hour time difference. This means that they will have to go to bed three hours earlier than they normally would, and they will have to wake up three hours earlier than they normally would. This can lead to jet lag, which can cause fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.

Stanford athletes will face a similar challenge when they travel to play games in the eastern United States. For example, when Stanford travels to play Boston College, they will have to adjust to a two-hour time difference. This means that they will have to go to bed two hours earlier than they normally would, and they will have to wake up two hours earlier than they normally would. This can also lead to jet lag, which can cause fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.

COVID-19 protocols

Another challenge for Cal and Stanford athletes will be adjusting to the varying COVID-19 protocols in the ACC. The ACC has a set of conference-wide protocols that all member schools must follow, but each school also has its own set of protocols. This means that Cal and Stanford athletes will have to be aware of the different protocols in each city they travel to.

For example, some ACC schools require athletes to be vaccinated against COVID-19, while others do not. Some ACC schools require athletes to wear masks indoors, while others do not. Some ACC schools have limits on the number of fans who can attend games, while others do not. Cal and Stanford athletes will need to be aware of these different protocols and make sure they are following them.

The varying COVID-19 protocols in the ACC could also lead to disruptions in the schedule. If a Cal or Stanford athlete tests positive for COVID-19, they will need to isolate for a period of time. This could lead to them missing games and practices.

Level of competition

The ACC is a much tougher conference than the Pac-12. The ACC has won the College Football Playoff national championship six times since the playoff began in 2014, while the Pac-12 has never won a national championship. The ACC also has a number of top-ranked teams in other sports, such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer.

This means that Cal and Stanford athletes will have to face a higher level of competition in the ACC. They will need to be prepared to play against some of the best teams in the country, and they will need to be able to compete at a high level in order to be successful.

The move to the ACC is a new challenge for Cal and Stanford athletes, but it is also an opportunity for them to compete at a higher level and to achieve their full potential.