People have long turned to sports as a break from the challenges and responsibilities that fill their days. But for many, the sporting life is a career, a path to an education or a lifelong passion. Every athlete has his or her own unique motivation for working to excel as an individual or a part of a team.
When a global pandemic invades those dreams, it can sow seeds of doubt and worry that threaten to undermine an athlete’s confidence and dedication.
The organizations that run sports programs, from the professional level to high school and Little League, had never faced a force that could grind their world to a stop quite like covid-19 did in March 2020. The spirit of competition rose up, and players and teams adapted as best they could. Competition continued at a more basic level, sometimes without the fans who provide so much of the energy around the athletes they support.
Here’s a look back through a selection of photos by Trib photographer Chaz Palla.
Hockey
Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek waits to take the ice against the Penguins at an empty PPG Paints Arena.
Some games were played with no fans.
The Penguins take the ice for warm ups for the ice at PPG Paints Arena for the first time in almost ten months as they will play the Capitals at Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 at PPG Paints Arena.
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A wear face covering sign greets fans as they wait to enter PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday, March 3, 2021 at PPG Paints Arena.
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The staff took precautions before taking the ice.
Penguins content manager Michelle Crechiolo checks her temperature before entering PPG Paints Arena.
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Penguins ice crew cleans the surface as a minimal amount of fans look on during a game at PPG Paints Arena.
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Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan with some words from the bench against the Flyers on Tuesday, March 3, 2021 at PPG Paints Arena.
Football
Steelers quarterback Ben Rowthlisberger with body and face covering on the sideline at Heinz Field.
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Steelers fans cheer on the team against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020 at Heinz Field.
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Shady Side Academy football players keep their social distance during workouts Monday, July 20, 2020 at Shady Side Academy.
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Plum’s Evan Azzara during workouts Thursday, July 16, 2020 at Plum High School.
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Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi can only look on as Notre Dame goes up 45-3 on the Panthers in the third quarter Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 at Heinz Field.
Basketball
Norwin players are introduced before a game with North Allegheny.
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The first game under vovid protocol. All have face covering and the cheerleaders socially distanced from each other.
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Duquesne head mens basketball coach Keith Dambrot (right) flanked by assistant coach Terry Weigand pull down their face cover during a timeout during a game.
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Robert Morris head coach Andy Toole gives it the an official during the Milwaukee game in the second half Friday, Jan. 01, 2021 at PNC Events Center.
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Officials chat during a Duquesne University game at Coach Scott Lang Court.
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Plum players are introduced before a game with Fox Chapel Area.
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Greensburg Central’s Dylan Sebek is fouled as he takes a shot against Jeannette Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 at Greensburg Central High School.
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OLSH’s Jake DiMichele steal the ball from Springdale’s Emetri Fritch Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2012 at Donald G. McGhee Fieldhouse.
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Duquesne on the bench as they play at an empty Coach Scott Lang Court.
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The Knoch Student section cheers during a basketball game between Knoch and Derry.
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Derry’s basketball team embrace during the national anthem.
Baseball
The empires meet with Pirates manager Derek Shelton and Indians manager Terry Francona before an exhibition game Saturday, July 18, 2020 at PNC Park.
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Pirates manager Derek Shelton looks on against the Indians during an exhibition game Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at PNC Park.
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Socially distanced players stand for the national anthem as they will play to an empty Petersen Events Center.
Cheerleaders
Franklin Regional cheerleaders line up during the national anthem before a playoff basketball game against Armstrong.
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Wrestling
Wrestling fans are social distanced as they watch a bout between Greater Latrobe against Norwin.
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The Greater Latrobe wrestling team lines up for the national anthem before a match with Norwin.
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An official sprays down the wrestling matts during the Powerade wrestling tournament Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 at Monroeville Convention Center.
Every sport made adjustments to protect players, fans and staff.
Shaler’s Sydney Lang reacts by jumping after she completed a frame sweep of strikes in a match against North Allegheny Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 at Perry Park Lanes in Wexford.
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Judges watch a competitor as they will score her during the WPIAL diving championships at North Allegheny High School.
