DALLAS, TEXAS — Shane Buechele has been busy this summer. Most athletes have been laying low and just trying to stay in shape since COVID-19 hit the US three months ago, but not Buechele. The SMU senior quarterback decided to take matters into his own hands to try to help his hometown of Dallas during the pandemic. He started a GoFundMe back in April and raised $50,000 for coronavirus relief efforts. His girlfriend, Paige Vasquez, also helped in the fundraiser. The couple presented a check to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson in May.
Buechele played a huge part in the success the Mustangs had in the 2019 season, leading them to its first 10-win season since 1984. He threw for a career-best 3,929 yards and 34 touchdowns. Buechele was so impressive last season that Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine decided to place him on their cover of its 2020 issue.
Bucechele could have an even more impressive senior season, but how the 2020 season will play out is still unknown due to the coronavirus. Recently Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said collegiate stadiums in the state can operate at 50% capacity, but will be up to each individual school to make the final decision on what they do.
Currently, the majority of SMU players are not even on campus. Head coach Sonny Dykes said the first large group of them will return on June 15. A smaller group already arrived on June 1, but they were ones who needed to come back for rehab. The biggest group will lastly arrive on July 6. The team is still figuring out all of the exact protocols they will have to follow, but one thing is certain, they will be testing everyone multiple times for COVID-19.
