WASHINGTON (May 22, 2025) – Howard University Department of Athletics rolls on with another senior spotlight, featuring NEC (Northeast Conference) Champion Kyra Bolden from the women's soccer team, who was interviewed by rising sophomore legal communications major Tanbrance Berry.
 
Q: Is there an athlete you model your game after?
A: For style of play, Trinity Rodman (American professional soccer player) and Lynn Williams (American professional soccer player) come to mind that match my playing style, which is aggression and speed.
 
Q: Does your jersey number, 19, have any significance to you?
A: My very first soccer number was 39, which is really random but I love that number. I also believe in rules of 3 and 3 is one of my lucky numbers so any multiples of 3 are important to me. I wore number 3 in club, number 13 in high school and when I got to Howard the number 13 was taken but 19 was available. I saw it as an opportunity to enter into a new beginning and new era while keeping something from my old era.
 
Q: What made you stay at Howard?
A: The people I met here and the fact that I was constantly a little out of my comfort zone, which pushed me to grow. Whenever you are in a space where you feel yourself growing and learning, you should stay there.
 
Q: Can you describe the moment you realize you won the Northeastern Conference (NEC) Tournament title?
A: I had a feeling we were going to win, but in soccer, you still want to hold your breath because you never know what could happen. So definitely when the clock ticked down and the final whistle blew. I had never felt such a burst of happiness. That sound of the whistle blowing will be in my head forever.
 
Q: How does it feel to be a part of the first HBCU women's soccer program to win both the regular season and conference tournament championships in a predominantly white conference?
A: One word, indescribable because it is just a small step to a really big future. HBCUs have always played a really big role in sports and for Howard to create a name for itself represents so much.
 
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I plan to take a gap year before law school. I am half Australian and I have family in Australia, so I might move down there just to get a change of pace. I will keep studying for my LSAT and maybe even join a team around there and play one year.
 
Q: How has Howard set you up to pursue a career in law?
A: Howard has giving me perspective because it offers such a unique experience. Most my classes were seen through a Black lens and that is something you cannot get elsewhere. Being a student here, you develop a perspective that a lot of people do not get an opportunity. Also, the law field is very rigorous, but Howard has prepared me. I am confident going into the real world.
 
Q: How did you maintain such a high grade point average (GPA) while being a student-athlete?
A: I actually think it was because I was an athlete (lol). Being an athlete teaches you so much about adversity and hard work. You can transfer those lessons over into academics. If I was not a student-athlete, it would not be the same.
 
Q: Do you have a song to describe your career at Howard?
A: "Wait for it" from Hamilton because my class waited a long time to see the results. We came in with the intention of changing the program and there were a lot of ups and downs, but to finish our senior year and actually walk away with that result was amazing.
 
Q: Do you have any pregame rituals?
A: I get bad cramps so definitely chugging any type of electrolytes. I also need to have a Go - Go squeeze before I go on the field.
 
Q: What would you tell your freshman year self?
A: I would say to control what you can control and let it all work out. At the beginning of a journey, you are going to face certain hardships and sometimes it could be really hard at that moment but if you just focus on what you can control, everything will work out.
 
About Bolden

• Personal
  • Double major: Psychology and Sociology
  • Hometown: McLean, Va.
• Academic Achievements at Howard
  • NEC Fall Honor Roll
  • NEC Commissioner's Honor Roll
• Athletic Achievements at Howard
  • NEC Champion

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