BOWIE, Md. - Each week, Bowie State University Department of Athletics will spotlight one student-athlete or administrator in wake of COVID-19 pandemic that forced CIAA to suspend fall competition until the spring of 2021. This week's spotlight will feature
Justin Route—a standout basketball player—from Washington D.C.
Like most student-athletes around the country, dealing with the coronavirus global pandemic—that has infected nearly 47 million people worldwide and taken the lives of many—has been a frustrating adjustment for Route, from both an academic and athletic standpoint.
It's a new world; where he can no longer communicate in person with his professors or interact with his peers. A new world; where his access to the Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex is now limited.
"It's been a new adjustment for me," Route said. "Not having complete access to communicate in person with my professors or interact with my peers. Now we're just transitioning to emails, which takes longer to connect with people. As far as basketball is concerned, this has been new for everybody. Having access to the gym, playing basketball with a mask on your face. All this stuff is a new experience for me."
Frustration aside from adjusting to life post-Covid, however, Route and other winter athletes now have something to smile about. On October 2, CIAA announced that "All winter sports seasons, which include men's and women's basketball, will begin their seasons on January 9, 2021," which ended Route's curious mind on whether the 2020-21 season would concur or not.
Still, because of the unknown, Route said he had "mixed emotions" about the decision.
"It's like we're glad we're having a season, but then we hear the requirements behind it, like no fans, weekly Covid testing," Route said. "It's just a lot that goes into it; just the new rules and stuff. And it's scary because if one person goes down, the whole system will shut down for a couple of days."
During a phone interview, Route discussed the team's quarantine summer regiment during the summer, his journey to signing with Bowie State, and more.
How did the team stay in shape over the summer?
Okay. So, we had new players sign and came in over the summer. So, we had weekly zoom calls to check on each other and the coaches around that time. We also downloaded the Nike Run Club App, which allowed us to set weekly goals, to run outside on our own since we couldn't meet up with anyone.
That also allowed us to compete and see who could do the miles and stuff done first. So, we continued that up until preseason. And that's when the coach just started to take control of the conditioning.
Did you find this adjustment to be weird at all?
Yeah, because normally over the summer, we get a chance to meet the new guys coming in by playing pickup in the summer. We'd see how they'd play, get a feel for their personalities and everything. And on the Zoom, a lot of guys were nervous and shy. So, we had to get them comfortable and all of that.
How long have you been playing basketball?
I've been playing basketball since I was 11-years-old. I kind of leaned to it—although I was terrible. Baseball was my best sport at the time. But in D.C. at the time, baseball didn't provide many opportunities as much as football or basketball could.
So, I just stuck with basketball, because I saw the most opportunity out of it. But as I said, I was terrible—to the point, I got clowned about my minutes, my talent. And I took it personally. I started working on my game a lot and eventually started beating people.
What are your interests outside of basketball?
Honestly, I've been into videography. I like taking pictures, recording. I'm thinking about starting a podcast and YouTube channel.
Tell me about your journey. How did you end up playing at Bowie State?
Oh, man. So, coming out of Coolidge, I was heavily recruited. I had a lot of really interesting offers [Drexel, Towson, Boston College, St. Joe's, St. Joseph's], and I was in a situation where I was eligible to play. So, I ended up doing a lot of transferring my senior year of high school, which affected my recruitment and everything.
I ended up going to Capitol Christian, a prep school in Largo. Bowie State offered me, and I ended up signing because of the journey I've been through. And I was like: 'I'm just going to take the first opportunity a school gives me.' So, the D1s to the D2s was something I really didn't want to do. But, at the end of the day, it was an opportunity to play basketball still and get a free education. So, I took it.
What stood out to you most about coach Brooks, when he brought you to Bowie State?
I remember when he first visited my house and everything. I've sat with a lot of college coaches before, and I'm a very observant person. And you can tell when people are giving you BS by selling you dreams and stuff. When he came to my door, he didn't sell any dreams. He made me feel like I would have to work for everything, which is something you don't want to really hear.
You want to hear: 'You're going to be a star player…..You're going to be the man.' That's what you want to hear. But on the reality side, you're going to come in, and whatever work you put in, that's the work you're going to get out.
How has your time at Bowie State been?
A really great college experience. I definitely am grateful that I chose an HBCU because I got to learn about my culture. And at HBCUs, the education you get is more genuine than it would be at a PWI. I just feel it's a more of a family at Bowie.
What are you looking to do after graduation?
That's a good question. I've been up and down with switching my major and everything. So, initially, probably sports management, pursuing business. But I had figured I really don't need a business degree to become an entrepreneur. So I picked up broadcast journalism.
When I graduate, I plan to go overseas to play basketball professionally. There's no set duration on how long I want to go. But while I'm over there, I want to establish international relations with my broadcast journalism degree. And I want to start a sports analyst thing such as Hoopmixtapes, Ballislife, but in my own type of style."
What do you want your legacy at Bowie State to be? How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be a champion. I have to be a champion by the time I leave here because that's a real dream I'm pursuing. But I just want to be known as a tough kid who gave it his all. And this year, I plan to have a breakout year, so that's going to show a lot. But I want my legacy to be known as that hard worker that left it all out there.
