The Calvin Sports Information Office recently caught up with Mya Brickley, a junior on the softball team. The following is a question-and-answer session with the Battle Creek, Michigan native (Delton Kellogg) in celebration of National Division III Week.
 
Coming out of high school, why did you choose to become a Calvin Knight? What drew you to the school and the respective sport you are participating in?
 
I knew from my first visit to Calvin that it was the right place for me; it felt like home. I loved the community on campus and how welcoming everyone was to a visitor. I was drawn to the respected academics that Calvin provided as well. When I first met the Calvin Softball team, their family-oriented culture was exactly what I was looking for.
 
How would you describe your student athlete experience at Calvin?
 
I am so thankful for the opportunity to play softball at Calvin while pursuing my degree. It was the best decision I could have made. I have learned so much from those around me and am grateful for the student-athlete dynamic that Calvin allows and for how supportive everyone is of it. I am beyond blessed for how Calvin has helped me develop as a person, a teammate, softball player, leader, and friend!
 
How would you describe Coach Hilgert and the rest of the Calvin softball staff? How have they helped you in your career as a Calvin student-athlete?
 
Coach Hilgert and the rest of our full female staff, which is awesome, are a group of inspiring and strong women who set a great example for us players. They challenge and encourage us every day to reach our full potential and are truly invested in us as people as well as softball players. I am grateful to them all for their shared wisdom, leadership, and for all they have poured into the team, as well as into me. They are not just coaches, but mentors whom I aspire to be like, and I truly cannot thank them enough.
 
Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?
 
Sierra Romero, current AUSL player for the Texas Volts and former University of Michigan softball player, has been one of my favorite athletes for a long time. I have always loved how she approaches the game, her work ethic, and the confidence she has as a player, and that is what I try to exemplify in my game as well. She has been a role model to look up to as an athlete and an independent woman, excelling.
 
What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Calvin softball team?
 
Our team culture is something so special that it is hard to put into words. We show up every day, truly wanting to push ourselves and each other to compete and rise to our full potential, all while finding so much joy within each other. We all have a deep love for the game, this program, the legacy, and each other, and it is what makes CSB so great. It is truly a privilege to be a part of this program, and I am forever grateful!
 
Academically, what are you majoring in or thinking of majoring in and how do you balance school and athletics? What do you plan to do after graduation?
 
I am majoring in Kinesiology, Pre-PA with a minor in Psychology. I think being an athlete pushed me to be a better student. Planning my week each Sunday and managing my time while coordinating with professors were two of the biggest lessons I learned in striving as a student athlete. After graduation, I aspire to attend PA school to become a Physician Assistant.
 
Why do you think Division III was the right fit for you?
 
When I decided I wanted to play softball in college, I knew that my future career was very important to me as well. Division III has given me the best opportunity to compete in the sport that I love at a highly competitive level, especially in the MIAA, while also being focused on my studies and being able to excel in my degree in kinesiology.