Meet Jared Kersh, a member of the men's baseball team and a 22-year-old native of South Salem, a hamlet in the town of Lewisboro, N.Y., located less than an hour north of New York City.

Disappointed to miss a chance to play a fifth season, he is in his final semester, majoring in economics, with a minor in International Development Studies.

"This is my fifth year at McGill and without having any practices and games, this is the first time that we've ever had so much extra time in the fall semester," said the 5-foot-11, 185-pound infielder who also found time to sit on the Varsity Council, serve as the Athletics rep to the Students' Society of McGill University and chair the Student's Athletics Council last year.

"For us, this involved completely different time-management skills. We have more than enough time to stare at computer screens all day.  The challenge of it all is initially the acceptance that I have played my last varsity game."

That occasion actually took place a year ago. At the time, Kersh wasn't sure if he was returning for a fifth season, so he had the forethought to grab a sample of dirt as a souvenir from his last varsity game, a loss to Laurier on Oct. 20, 2019, at the National Invitational Tournament in Ajax, Ont.

"The acceptance part was hard but after that it just became the reality that you live in, because we're all in the same boat," Kersh said. "It's unfortunate. But other than that, we've been managing. I think the hard part was getting up every day, going out and trying to stay in shape."

"As an online student now, in front of a computer screen every day, there are no real weekends. You can make any day of the week your weekend, which is really different and unique. So it tailors to people who like to be independent and make their own schedule. Before, as a varsity athlete, when we had two hours to study while we were on a road trip, we had to put our heads down and study. Prepping for mid-terms now is a lot different and there is less stress because we have more time to prepare. But I do miss hanging out with the guys, the coaches and playing baseball. Doing what I came to college for."

A product of John Jay High School in South Salem, he was recruited to McGill by the coaching staff after a showcase tournament in Long Island, N.Y.

"It was an entirely different experience for me to choose McGill, because I would be getting to play baseball while studying in a different country, with a favourable exchange rate on the U.S. dollar for the cost of tuition and the value of a great education. It was the best decision that I ever made in my entire life, when I decided to pick up my stuff and go to Canada."

And it paid off in spades on the athletic front as he won national championship rings in each of his first three years with the McGill baseball program. Over his four seasons, the team posted a stellar record of 120-41-4.

"We won a lot and it all stems from a great group of guys that we were with and the talent that the coaching staff was able to recruit.  Every good player in Canada wants to apply to McGill because it's the best school and we have one of the winningest baseball programs."

When Kersh first arrived on campus, he moved into the Molson Hall residence. It was his first experience living on co-ed floors and meeting people from all across the planet.

"McGill is one of the most diverse universities in the entire world, and that's part of the reason why I chose to study here. I grew up in a bubble in Westchester County. I wanted change and to expose myself to a different environment and thank God I did because I learned so much by coming here. As soon as you get into McGill, you experience a culture shock… It humbles you. It allows you to connect with all types of people. And everyone that I've encountered at this university has been incredibly accepting and also very knowledgeable. I've learned from people from all over the world."

Now as his time at McGill dwindles, he facing a new challenge dealing with COVID-19.

"For me, motivation isn't hard because at the end of the day, you don't really have a choice. We have to do all of this. So when it comes to watching classes online, it isn't that hard. We have all our courses just two clicks away on our laptop and you can do them whenever you want. But staying motivated is the difficult part. Starting a lecture, knowing that you might have two more to do that day."

One of the things that has been helpful was finding a way to get in some fitness time.

"Our strength and conditioning coach, Laura Strenger, put together a fitness plan for us to do. There are also other things that you can find online, if that's your thing. Getting motivated to start, that's the hard part. Sometimes a few of the guys will get together to create that team atmosphere, socially distance and do a workout to stay in shape. Doing that with friends in a team atmosphere makes it a lot less painful."

The U.S.-Canada border has been closed since mid-March and Kersh won't be going home for the American Thanksgiving, a four-day holiday slated for Nov. 26-29. But he's found a way to make the best of it.

"We were advised to not go home, so the Americans on the team are staying in Montreal. We're just going to do it ourselves, get a turkey and celebrate it up here. I actually have the best of both worlds. Thankfully, I was able to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with my roommates."

Although Kersh's time at McGill will soon be over, he is planning on staying in the city for the near future.

"Aside from the border being closed, I am hoping to be working remotely in Montreal after graduating. My younger brother is still in school here, my sister is graduating from high school next year and looking at McGill, and my girlfriend is also at McGill."

"I am very grateful for my time here and the opportunities I've had. Although missing my last year of baseball stings, I am thankful for the memories and people that will be in my life forever."