WASHINGTON (May 18, 2021) – Howard University senior broadcast journalism major Maya Brown-Edwards continued the 2020-21 Senior Spotlight series with a graduate edition, featuring Nicholas Turk (Las Vegas) from the men's soccer team.
 
Q: How did you first get introduced to soccer?
A: I was introduced to soccer in the first grade. Before soccer, I took part in karate; however, as soon as I saw my friends on the field I knew I had to play.
 
Q: Describe the moment when you received your athletic scholarship offer from Howard University.
A: I vividly remember the moment I got the call from my coach (Howard men's soccer head coach Phillip Gyau) saying that he was putting me on scholarship. I didn't receive my scholarship before my freshman year like many other student-athletes, but instead in the summer where I had earn my place after being a preferred walk-on.
 
I received the call from Coach Gyau near the end of the summer internship with The Grassroot Project. I remembered stepping out of the room to take the call and walking back into the room stunned with a huge smile on my face.
 
One of my biggest life goals had come true and sharing that moment surrounded by some of my biggest supporters is something I will never forget.
 
Q: Why Howard?
A: The chance to follow in the footsteps of greatness is an opportunity I could not pass up.
 
So many trailblazers have walked Howard's campus and knowing that I could call people like Justice Thurgood Marshall, former Howard soccer star Lincoln Phillips, actor Chadwick Boseman and Vice President Kamala Harris family struck a nerve; thus, the legacy I want to leave.
 
On top of that, I had very few soccer offers coming out of high school and like so many others, Howard took a chance on me when nobody else would. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to represent the University on and off the field.
 
Q: How did you manage being a good captain while in the midst of a pandemic?
A: Being a good captain during the pandemic definitely had its ups and downs, but it wasn't hard because I've held myself to the same standards since I was a freshman. If you treat everyone with respect, answer questions in a timely manner, and reach out to check-in on people periodically, you can't fail.
 
It was more so man management and making sure everyone had the tools to succeed mentally and academically this year rather than laying groundwork for the program on the field.
 
I'm happy to have done my part, and I can't wait to see the guys take the culture we've built despite the pandemic and blow away the NEC (Northeast Conference) next season, our inaugural first year.
 
Q: What are your top 3 pre-game hype songs?
A: This is an easy one:

• #1 is the Howard classic "Dreams and Nightmares" by Meek Mill.
• #2 is "Is This the Life I Chose" by Aaryan Shah
• #3 is "Wonderman" by Tinie Tempah

 
Q: What were your initial goals entering Howard? What are your proudest academic and athletic accomplishments?
A: Honestly, I only had one goal coming into Howard and it was being successful. I had no idea what that success would look like, or where it would come from, but that was my one goal. Four years later, I can gladly tell you that everything panned out and I've found great success.
 
I went from a preferred walk-on to team captain while becoming a member of the Board of Directors at The Grassroot Project, being only 21 years old.
 
I discovered and broke into my true passion, tech, and have been leading our sales team at AboveBoard throughout my senior year, and finally have made some of the best memories and friends of my life.
 
Q: What change have you seen in yourself since your freshman to senior year at Howard personally and/or athletically?
A: The biggest change I've noticed in myself over the last four years has been in my confidence.
 
At Howard, I've grown into who I want to be as a person, and I'm no longer afraid to speak my thoughts. That boldness is something that isn't taught at Howard, its gain over time.
 
Now, I understand what it will take to accomplish my goals in 10 years and the confidence I've been able to build is the base for all my future success!
 
Q: Favorite all-time athlete and why?
A: It's way too hard to choose only one, but here's my top 3:

• NBA superstar Lebron James for his selflessness and leadership abilities
• Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather for his perfection and never backing down to a challenge
• Soccer icon Marcelo for exemplifying the player and person I stride to become

 
Q: What kept you motivated throughout college?
A: My high school cross country coach once said, "This is what champions do." This is what motivated me through my college career. Whenever I was tasked with a daunting challenge, I repeated those words to myself and did what had to be done to be successful.
 
Those words will stick with me forever because I have champion standards that I expect for myself and I'm going to continue to reinforce that confidence.
 
Q: What is your favorite Howard University memory?
A: My favorite Howard memories are tied back to the School of Business.
 
Professor Robinson gave me the opportunity to first meet Jim Clifton, the CEO of Gallup, which drastically changed my career aspirations, and secondly Robert Manfred Jr., the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. If Las Vegas gets a team, just know where it started. 😉
 
Q: What are your plans post-graduation?
A: Post graduation, I will be working as an Account Executive at AboveBoard, an executive search technology startup working to bring more diversity to the C-Suite level across the world. I interned with AboveBoard after my junior year and have stayed on full-time throughout my senior year!
 
Q: What advice would you give HU25?
A: My advice for HU25 is very simple:

• Be comfortable being uncomfortable
• Be bold
• Take risks
• Take advantage of every opportunity

 
There is an opportunity around every corner at Howard, but if you don't stretch yourself and give yourself the chance to succeed then you won't.
 
You will have so much fun at Howard, and if you are resilient enough to deal with the unique challenges along the way, you will know exactly who you are as a person by the time you graduate.
 
About Turk

• Personal:
  • Hometown: Las Vegas
  • Major: Management
  • First person in his family to attend Howard University
• Academic:
  • Two-Time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Commissioner's All-Academic Team recipient
  • 2017-18 Sun Belt Academic Commissioner's List
• Post-Graduation
  • Account Executive at AboveBoard

 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.