PITMAN--The NJAC Student-Athlete Spotlight for the week ending March 22^nd comes from William Paterson University. A junior women’s basketball player from Millville, NJ, Brittany Harden is currently pursuing a Psychology and Criminology degree.
 
Name: Brittany Harden
Institution: William Paterson University
Year: Junior
Sport: Basketball
Hometown, State: Millville, NJ
High School: Sacred Heart High School
Major: Psychology and Criminology
 
What made you choose your institution?
It was far enough away from home yet close enough to drive back, it had a great location, it had my major and on top of all that, the basketball team was very talented and accepting.
 
What made you want to become a DIII collegiate athlete? 
I wanted my sport to be a choice, not an obligation. I wanted to enjoy playing, while also having an active college life outside sports.
 
What was your first memory of playing your sport?
My father coaching me at the age of 4, playfully yelling at me to dribble lower.
 
What has been the greatest or most memorable moment of your experience as a collegiate athlete?
Watching my teammate Floriana Borova score her 1000^th point. It brought me back to high school when I scored mine, and I know it had to feel amazing as a junior in college to accomplish.
 
Do you have any pre-game rituals? If so, what are they?
I like to get really quiet and just zone in to focus on the game.
 
What famous athlete do you look up to?
I look up to Skylar Diggins because she is amazing at her craft while still keeping her femininity. She exemplifies a female athlete to a "T" and she's a perfect role model when it comes to giving back to her community.
 
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself counseling juvenile delinquents in a detention center, hoping to rehabilitate them to get back on track in life when they reenter society.
 
What is your favorite part of competing in the NJAC?
The freedom of actually caring about being a student first and athlete second. The NJAC has very stern rules if athletes are not taking care of business in the classroom. Whereas in some DI or DII schools care about the ability of the athlete, and if they do not excel in the classroom they still get pushed through not learning a single thing in college.
 
What is your biggest accomplishment OFF the field, court, etc.?
My biggest accomplishment has been making the Dean’s List 3 out of 5 semesters in college thus far. I only hope to continue that accomplishment.
 
Quick facts about Brittany:
Can't live without: my family and my cell phone
Favorite movie: Love and Basketball
Favorite class you've ever taken: The Black Women Experience
Favorite food: Grilled Chicken
Biggest Fear: Squirrels
Favorite musical artist: Beyonce
 
*The NJAC Student-Athlete Spotlight deadline is every Friday by 10:00 AM. Fill out the survey and you could be featured in our next spotlight.