Sierra Strong, Senior Recruiting Coordinator

I’m a simple girl from Chicago. My dad was a football player, and he also boxed and encouraged my brothers, cousins and I to train with him. I love sports. I was determined to keep up with my older cousins. I can only imagine that the first time I picked up a basketball it was to play with my older cousins and be a part of the fun.  Basketball was my childhood. Every day, I’d play for hours after school. I was skilled at a very young age and enjoyed the praise that I received from playing and being good at it. I knew I was an above-average player; by the age of 12, I could beat my cousins who were twice my height. By the seventh and eighth grade, I was MVP and there were several high schools that wanted me to play on their team. I chose a good academic high school and played varsity basketball my freshmen year in addition to varsity softball with very little experience other than naturally being able to throw and catch. By my junior year, I was discouraged. I didn’t know what was next for me and sports. I had no guidance with the recruiting process, and it affected me emotionally. I switched gears and focused more on my academics. I got a full ride to Wayne State University and played on an intramural team. I also picked up a love for tennis. Fast forward to now, and I’m a proud director of a nonprofit organization. I help provide exposure for inner city girls. A lot of my girls play sports and, when discussing their future, a large part of it is college sports. I took initiative to find a way to help their goals become reality, which is how I came across NCSA. I was looking for a change in professions and decided to apply. Not only was I able to help a few of my girls with their dream, I was able to find a profession that I enjoy.