South Hadley, Mass. - January 25, 2021 - Mount Holyoke College's Brayden Walden (McKinney, Texas) of the volleyball team was recently featured on the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) website as part of the league's "Student-Athlete Spotlight" initiative.
Class: Senior
Sport: Volleyball
Position: Setter
Major: Sociology & Psychology
What made you choose Mount Holyoke College?
I wanted to go to a college that was diverse and had a great academic ranking while also playing my sport. Mount Holyoke offered all of this plus a supportive environment that promotes my success.
What is your most memorable moment as a NEWMAC student-athlete?
My most memorable moment as a NEWMAC student-athlete was our first conference win! I just remember that there were so many things going on before and during that game. I was so proud of my team for pushing through and changing the mindset of our team for years to come.
What do you enjoy most about being a Division III student-athlete?
The thing I enjoy most is being able to have the mindset that once I graduate I will be a well-rounded individual. I know that besides the skills I gain from being an athlete, I will also have a strong academic background and so many other skills that I wouldn't have gotten playing in any other division.
Do you have a favorite event or matchup with a fellow NEWMAC institution that you always look forward to every year?
I always look forward to our game against Smith! It has historically been our 'rival' team and playing them always brings an energy and atmosphere that makes playing so much more electric. It is always so much fun to go there because our schools are connected in so many different ways that the game always means a little more than just on the court!
Can you give us a brief description of your major and why you chose it?
I am a Sociology and Psychology major. In the most basic form, this means that I really like to study and understand people and how they interact with each other! I chose this because I plan on going into the marketing/public relations field as a career. These two majors will help me to understand the thought process behind people's decisions and apply it to real life. Plus, it is just interesting to know these things and analyze my life/my friends and see how true they are!
Do you have any future plans you want to share?
I'm hoping to get an internship for this summer, I'm just deciding which would be the best fit! Hopefully one that keeps me up in the northeast area!
Are you a part of any groups/clubs on campus you would want to share with us?
I am also on our class board as the social chair! This means that I run the social media for our class year, help plan all of our senior events, talk with our connection class, and help to decorate all the events. I really enjoy this role because it allows for a special opportunity to be involved in my classmates senior year and make it as special and memorable as I can for all of us!
Any additional information you would want to share with us?
My favorite music before a game really switches up! It can easily be separated into 3 main groups: Throwbacks, Rock/Alt, and Country! I've also been known to constantly dance around during warm ups to get hyped up before a match!
