WASHINGTON (July 5, 2022) – Howard University junior public relations major, sports administration and sociology minor Jade Spurlock interviews senior Kalita Dennis (Elk Grove, Calif.) as she embarks on her final season on the softball team.
 
Q: For starters, tell us a little about yourself?
A: I am a senior criminology major with a psychology and media journalism and film minor from Elk Grove, California.
 
Q: When did you first become interested in softball?
A: Actually, my first sport was soccer, but my dad involved me with softball when I was five years old.
 
At nine years old, my dad asked me to choose between softball and soccer, so I chose softball because it was more fun and less running (lol).
 
Q: How has playing softball impacted your life?
A: Softball has had the biggest impact on my life because it introduced me to so many new people, places, life lessons, and challenges. The sport has motivated me to become the woman I am today.
 
Softball gave me an environment to express myself and evolve. The life lessons softball has taught me have influenced my perspective on life. I carry the supporter, passionate, and overcomer personality into my everyday life.
 
Softball welcomes women to be a "badass" and that has impacted the way I carry myself around school and just anywhere I go.
 
Q: How did you balance training, academics and social life?
A: I've been playing organized softball for a long time, so it wasn't hard to balance.
 
When I came to Howard, my top two priorities were getting a degree and playing softball, so I had to learn how to give myself room to not procrastinate. If I knew an assignment would take a couple of days, then I would start a week in advance. In my opinion, having a plan is huge.
 
Socially, I hang out with friends on days off because it allows me to mentally rest and have fun.
 
Q: Thus far, what has been your fondest memory of playing this sport?
A: Easy, winning the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Championship because it's been a goal our team has been working towards since my arrival. Getting messages from my former Howard teammates was rewarding. It was a celebration for everyone.
 
Q: What are your preferred pre-game, locker room and post-game routines?
A: Before the game, I listen to my favorite artist, blxst.
 
After the games, I eat with my teammates and enjoy good music on the way back to the dorms.
 
Q: Who is/was the most significant influence in your life (sports and non-sports related)?
A: I've never had one person that influenced me, but I have always been influenced by my teammates. I would talk highly of athletes to my dad and he would respond with, "Why don't you talk highly about yourself." From that moment, that motivated me to put in the work.
 
Q: What is one important lesson you've learned from your coach?
A: Coach Tori Tyson (Howard softball head coach) always told me that I was enough to be "Kalita," which is a lot within itself. This taught me to love who I am and to not be afraid to shine or be outspoken with my presence.
 
Q: Using one word, how do you think your teammates would describe you?
A: In my opinion, my teammates would say I'm passionate.
 
Q: What are you looking forward to the most as you enter your final season?
A: I am looking forward to putting all my four years together and ending with a bang. This year, I want to be emotionally and psychically mature to prepare myself for my future path. I am excited to grind and work towards being back-to-back MEAC Champs.
 
Q: What are your goals (personal and as a team) for this upcoming season?
A: I want the team to build a championship culture within the little things we do every day and work hard towards another championship.
 
Personally, I would like to be an All-American.
 
Q: Post-Graduation, what will you miss most about Howard in general?
A: I will miss the cheers, Howard's culture, and the competitiveness.
 
Q: If you could give a piece of advice to a fellow student-athlete or future Bison, what would it be?
A: Maya Angelou once said, "do your best until you know better. Then once you know better, do better." So, there is no limit to what you can achieve.
 
About Kalita:

• Personal:
  • Hometown: Elk Grove, California
  • Major: Criminology
  • Minor: Psychology and Media Journalism and Film
• Academic:
  • Two-time MEAC All-Academic Team (2020-2022) Academic Year
• Athletic:
  • 2018-2019 MEAC Rookie of the year
  • Three-time Team MVP (2018-2019, 2020-21 & 2021-22)
  • 2019 Schutt Sports/ NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year top 25
  • 2019-2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List
  • 2022 MEAC Conference Champion
  • 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee

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