Holen: Dare to Dream

Lopes View provides GCU's student-athletes a platform to express their lives through stories within their sport, academic studies and community outreach.

GCU women's golfer Brittany Holen was an honorary student speaker at GCU's graduation. Holen shares her story of having the unique position of being a student-athlete and speaking to her graduating class.

BRITTANY HOLEN / WOMEN'S GOLF

L ying there staring at the ceiling, I could not quiet my brain. In less than five hours I was going to board a plane for my final semester of college. Lost in my thoughts, I considered all the final moments I wanted to experience. The last goals I wanted to achieve. The concluding plans that God had prepared for me. As the popcorn ceiling came in and out of focus, graduation emerged from the shadows. After all, that was the accolade awaiting at the end of this academic journey. In the darkness of the room, I asked myself a simple question: "If I were to give a graduation speech, what would I say?"

Ideas came rushing in as I reflected on the memories of GCU over the past four years. The friendships, the hardships, the celebrations; forty-five minutes passed and I realized I had practically written an entire speech in my head. Climbing out of bed, now four hours from my flight, I quickly scribbled down the main ideas on the back of a half ripped envelop and stuffed it in my backpack.

In addition to golfing for GCU, Holen served on the SAAC and worked with the sports business club.

Despite the short night, I appeared unusually alert to the sleepy travelers who boarded the flight with me. As we landed in Phoenix, I shut my laptop with a gentle click and thought, "Great, now I have a graduation speech. What on earth am I going to do with it?"

That Monday morning workout hit me hard as I rolled over to silence my 5am alarm. Back to the grind of chasing my dream as a Division I student-athlete. Workouts, practice, homework, club meetings; the long days grew busier, but I was exactly where I wanted to be.

Other students can easily spot the athletes on campus. We walk around in our athletic gear, typically sweaty and on our way to or from practice. It is a privilege to represent GCU and pursue my dream as a Division I athlete. I love working with my teammates day-in and day-out, striving for just a fraction of improvement. I love the small moments; like the sound of the golf ball falling into the cup or walking off the 18th green just as the sun sets behind the palm trees. However, despite my love of competing as an athlete, I never want to be introduced simply as Brittany the golfer. Yes I take great pride when people ask if I am an athlete and that is largely how I spend my time, but I am so much more than an athlete.

I take great pride when people ask if I am an athlete and that is how I largely spend my time, but I am so much more than an athlete.

"Please help me welcome to the stage, Miss Brittany Holen." As I ascended the stairs to the stage, I said a quick prayer. Making my way to the podium, I felt the presence of 8,000 eyes turn attention to me. This was larger than any crowd I would ever receive in my four years of playing Division 1 golf. With a deep breath I began. Reciting the words that once danced through my head.

Each year hundreds of high school athletes dream about playing a Division I sport. Other individuals may think about giving a big speech in front of thousands of people. I am honored that I had the opportunity to experience both. It took hours of work to achieve these accomplishments, but that's not where these big moments truly began. Somewhere in the dark stillness of my bedroom, I allowed my thoughts to wander, to think and dream big. Because at one point, lying there staring at the ceiling I thought to myself, "Why not me?"

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Brittany Holen

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