WASHINGTON (June 19, 2025) – Howard University Department of Athletics continues its senior spotlight series with former Bison standout Makenna Rodriguez (Delray Beach, Fla.), who was interviewed by rising sophomore legal communications major Tanbrance Berry.
 
Q: Why did you start playing golf?
A: I started playing because of my father, an Ashkenazi born in Venezuela who later immigrated to the States. He always aspired to play "The American Dream Sport: Golf." He graduated early from high school, played college football, trained in seven forms of martial arts and even competed in the Junior Olympics for gymnastics but never played golf. When he learned that my mother was pregnant with me, he knew that if he learned the game, he could pass it on to me and he did. When I was two years old, I received my first set of plastic golf and the rest is history.
 
Q: If you were not playing golf, what sport would you be playing?
A: My mother is a huge proponent of the arts so she had me in gymnastics, Russian ballet, theatre and singing classes throughout my whole childhood. So, I probably would not be in a sport but instead an artist or creative in some capacity.
 
Q: What is your favorite golf memory?
A: My favorite golf memories are with my sister. I love my sister more than anything in the world and am forever grateful that I have been blessed to watch her succeed in real-time.
 
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
A: I have a few pre-game rituals but the one I am most known for is my Hamsa key chain. Unfortunately, I am quite superstitious so before I perform in any capacity, in the classroom or on the golf course, I always kiss my Hamsa to God, cross both my fingers, knock on wood and call my mother to pray for me. I understand that it's sort of a lot (lol).
 
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: For the next two years, beginning this fall, I will be working at the National Institutes of Health as a Neurodegenerative Computational Fellow. In Fall 2027, I will begin my Ph.D. in Neural Computation.
 
Q: Biology is a demanding major that requires a lot of time and focus. How did you manage to balance your academic responsibilities with the commitments of being a student-athlete?
A: During undergrad, I was an honors biology major with minors in chemistry and computer science. At the same time, I was fully dedicated to my role as a student-athlete, which motivated and challenged me to develop strong time management skills, balancing practices, lifts and travel schedules with labs, exams, coursework and thesis writing. I quickly learned to prioritize tasks, plan ahead and make the most of my time studying and working at every opportunity.
 
Rather than seeing athletics and academics as two separate entities, I viewed them as complementary as they both required discipline, perseverance and accountability. The structure of my schedule helped me become more organized and focused, which continues to benefit me in both academic and professional settings.
 
Q: How has Howard prepared you for your future endeavors?
A: Howard has shaped me in more ways than I can count. Juggling my academics definitely kept me on my toes and being a student-athlete made that balance even more real. But honestly, it made me stronger because this university gave me a place to explore who I am and where I come from. Whether that was through my background, family, or just sharing experiences with people who inspired me every day. Howard helped me grow into someone confident, curious and ready to take on whatever I experience next.
 
Q: What is the best place golf has taken you?
A: The best place golf has taken me is Scotland and that is because of Coach Sam Puryear (Howard Director of Golf). Coach P has truly taught me just how much golf can do for a person. From lessons on perseverance, consistency and longevity to how to curate your own success story, he gave the entire program and I the opportunity of a lifetime.
 
About Rodriguez

• Personal:
  • Major: Biology
  • Minors: Chemistry & Computer Science
• Academic Achievements at Howard:
  • NEC (Northeast Conference) Academic Honor Roll

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