Student Stories

REWRITING THE RULES

NAME: BROOKE RICHARDS

HOMETOWN:

SHELBY, NORTH CAROLINA MAJOR: EDUCATION

EXPECTED YEAR OF

GRADUATION: 2021, BACHELOR’S

The phrase “like a girl” gets tossed around and too often has a negative connotation. But Brooke Richards, a senior at Tiffin University, rewrites the rules as a female athlete.

“I grew up in a very small town in North Carolina, and being a female wrestler wasn’t something anyone had done before,” said Brooke. She was the only female on an all-boys wrestling team in both middle school and high school. “Being the only girl on the team had its challenges.”

When competing with other schools, Brooke would typically wrestle boys unless the team had a girl in her weight class. “It was rare to wrestle another female. During my high school wrestling career, I wrestled maybe 10 matches against another girl.” Brooke also struggled initially to fit in with her teammates. “My teammates were rough, and it was hard to relate to everything the guys talked about. But my teammates were always supportive of me. We were on the same team, and we treated each other like family.”

Brooke had great support from her teammates and family, but it was difficult for the community to understand. “Most of my issues came from outside people who didn’t know me or see the work I put into the sport. Women’s wrestling wasn’t big in North Carolina when I grew up. It is a growing sport, but it still isn’t big.”

Women’s wrestling is rapidly growing across the nation on the youth and high school level, and there are limited opportunities to compete at the college level. In 2018, TU became the first college or university in the state of Ohio to have an all-women’s wrestling program. “I fell in love with the people, coaches and atmosphere at TU. I knew it was the place to make me a better wrestler and person. I was excited to continue my athletic pursuit while obtaining an education.”

Brooke said practices can be hard, as well as mentally and physically draining. “The biggest thing is to have the mentality to push through.” One of her favorite parts about wrestling is the matches. “Matches are fun – it is your time to show all the hard work you have put in training. It’s when you get to let it all fly.”

Pioneers like Brooke shine a new light for female wrestlers who believe there are no opportunities for them in the future. “I feel like women need to challenge conventional wisdom because we wouldn’t be where we are today. I think we are breaking the stereotype and showing everyone that girls can wrestle too. Without risks, we wouldn’t be able to push forward into a new generation that we are starting to see.”

Brooke will graduate in the fall of 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She aspires to help students find their purpose. “Growing up, I never really knew what my purpose was until I had a teacher help me. I hope to one day do this for someone else.” After graduation, Brooke plans to stay in Ohio and teach middle school math. Her dream job is to be the head women’s wrestling coach for a college program.

“I’m thankful for Tiffin University,” she said. “TU has challenged me to be a better student, wrestler and person.”

BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE DURING COVID-19

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in early March 2020, the impact on Tiffin University student-athletes was immediate and intense. Winter and spring seasons were suddenly paused, and students were sent home to finish out the semester with online courses.

“It was emotional when we were sent home,” said Gavin Woods, a senior wide receiver on TU’s football team. “We were unsure if we would return to campus or even have a fall season. Everything was so unknown during that time. When everything was canceled, it was very heartbreaking.”

Luckily for Woods, the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t cancel sports for good – it only changed the way sports functioned. Tiffin University executed a phased return to athletic activities with smaller group practices, virtual meetings and postponed competitions. According to Woods, the football team started in groups of nine people for workouts and then gradually worked into team sessions.

The University’s Athletic Department also followed numerous safety precautions. The football team took temperature checks, wore masks and practiced social distancing whenever possible. “During practices, if you were not on the field during a play, you were on the sideline standing six feet apart from one another,” he said. “We also limited contact tracing by using our own water bottles. The athletic trainer would fill them so only one person touched the refill station.” Woods also mentioned that the football team plans to get clear splash shields for the helmets, which would act as a mask while playing.

Woods looked forward to competing in the spring. “Having our season postponed opened my eyes. I realized that anything could be taken away at any time without warning. I learned to cherish my sport, take one day at a time and take advantage of every opportunity to practice and play the sport I love.”

After nearly a year, Woods played once again on the football field. His senior year was completed by competing in the spring 2021 season. He believes that none of it would have been possible without the University’s rigorous health and safety procedures.

“We are fortunate to have the support from the University’s coaches, staff and administration to protect its students and give student-athletes an opportunity to play. There were many schools in our conference that shut down because of COVID, but TU did a great job keeping us safe and taking precautions seriously.”

Gavin Woods graduated in spring 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in finance, with a minor in management. He plans to pursue his MBA in data analytics from Tiffin University. NAME: GAVIN WOODS HOMETOWN: CAREY, OHIO MAJOR: FINANCE WITH A MINOR IN MANAGEMENT

EXPECTED YEAR OF GRADUATION:

2021, BACHELOR’S