WASHINGTON (June 15, 2021) – Howard University media journalism & film major rising senior
Janae Bradford resumed the 2021 Senior Spotlight series with a grad edition, featuring softball's
Trinity Gibbs (Kissimmee, Fla.)
Q: What is your favorite part about softball?
A: My favorite part about softball is that the sport teaches you to rise from failure, which shaped me into a better person.
Softball is a sport where you have more failure than success; however, you can still be one of the best in the game if you're able to adjust. Like, working on your swing and seeing the results. Or making that spectacular catch in the game after 100-plus hours of practice. It's a feeling like no other and makes those long practices worth every moment.
Also, I enjoy watching my teammates reap the benefits of their hard work.
Q: How did you get started in softball?
A: I began playing softball at four years old. When I was younger, my mom put me in five different sports and softball was the sport I continued playing. From that moment, I never stopped playing or took a break from softball right up until my final collegiate game.
Q: What kept you motivated to play at the collegiate level?
A: My biggest motivator was my love for the sport, but my teammates kept me motivated. We worked tirelessly together in achieving our team goals.
Q: If you weren't playing softball, what sport would you play?
A: If I wasn't playing softball, I would probably be still playing basketball because that was the longest sport I played before focusing primarily on softball.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete and why?
A: I don't have an all-time favorite athlete, but I admire all of the Black female athletes that are paving ways for little girls:
Natasha Watley (former softball Olympian),
Shay Knighten (former Oklahoma softball player),
Bianka Bell (USSSA Pride), the
Andrews sisters (A.J. & Aliyah),
Aleshia Ocasio (former Florida star and former Howard Softball assistant coach),
Jazzmyn Jackson (former Cal-Berkeley star and former Howard Softball assistant coach),
Odicci Alexander (former James Madison softball player),
Serena Williams (Tennis superstar),
Simone Biles (Olympic Medalist-Gymnastics),
Simone Manuel (Olympic Medalist-Swimming),
Allyson Felix (Olympic Medalist-Track), teammates
Kalita Dennis and
Camille Navarro and the list goes on.
Q: What's your favorite memory at Howard?
A: I have a couple favorite memories at Howard.
The first memory is the 2019 MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Tournament because the energy we brought to the field was unmatched. I will never forget. Also, shout out to
Ayana Sallee and
Kay (Kaylen Samuel) for being my besties and roommates during that trip (lol).
The second would definitely be winning the 2019 Homecoming Step Show.
Q: Plans after graduation?
A: After graduation, I am going to the medical school of my choice and pursuing a career as a physician. Hopefully, I'll be back for some of the softball games.
Q: What or who will you miss at Howard and why?
A: I will miss the safe space that Howard created for Black students to be 100-percent themselves and the family culture students created throughout campus.
I will also miss being able to spend time with my sisters (teammates) on a daily basis.
Q: What advice would you give future Bison?
A: The advice I would give to future Bison is to make as many memories as possible. Go see the museums and monuments with your friends, explore as many parts of the Howard experience as you can.
Also, be sure to make connections with your peers because, at the end of the day, that is what you will remember.
Q: Who would you like to thank for your experience?
A: I would like to thank my mom for my Howard experience because she exposed me to the HBCU culture and encouraged me to apply. If it wasn't for her exposing me to her HBCU as a child, I would have never been able to have this opportunity to experience a campus that changed my life.
About Gibbs:
- Personal:
- Hometown: Kissimmee, Fla., by way of Greenville, N.C.
- Major: Biology
- Athletic Achievements:
- 2x-Rookie of the Week (2018)
- Academic Achievements:
- 4x-Howard University Dean's List
- Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
- Howard University Founder's Scholarship Recipient
- 2x-Highest Team GPA (2018 & 2019)
- 2018-2019 NFCA Scholar All-American Team
- 2x-MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team (2019 & 2020)
- 3x-MEAC Softball All-Academic Team (2019, 2020 & 2021)
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
