FEATURE – Johnna Brown, a senior at Dixie State University this past term, has made a major impact on both the softball and basketball teams during her career at DSU.
Originally from Las Vegas, Brown has career school-basketball records in scoring (1,212 points), field goals made (433), rebounds (726), and assists (232), to name a few. In softball, she has a .438 career batting average with 24 home runs and 133 runs batted in.
Each sport has a different draw for Brown.
“Softball is more relaxing to me and I enjoy the team camaraderie,” she said. “I’m really competitive and aggressive and get a lot of my points off of rebounds, so I enjoy the speed and physical nature of basketball.”
Beyond the field and court, Brown said she has gained valuable life lessons from her experience as being part of a team.
“I’ve learned that you have to get along with your teammates beyond the floor. You have to go out to car washes, community service, give clinics – it just brings your team closer together and you play more for your team than yourself. I think that is how you build successful teams,” she said. “A lot of the girls look up to me on the softball team and I know I need to be an example. I also try to bring a lot of fun to the team. It has to be fun or you won’t do well.”
Another fond memory Brown will take away from DSU is meeting local youth.
“Over the last two years, we have been bringing kids to the games. They would line up and have us sign autographs,” she said. “They probably don’t know how much it means to us – as much as it means to them. They look up to us. It’s just a great feeling.”
Brown offered advice to other young women pursuing their sports dreams: Work hard but remember to always have fun.
“If you don’t enjoy it, it’s not worth it,” she said. “Enjoy more than just the game. It’s so important to enjoy what you do and build relationships with those around you.”
“I’m going to miss Dixie State,” Brown said. “Not only did I learn a lot about playing sports, I learned what it means to be on a team, serve my community and work hard as a student-athlete.”
Written by Jared DuPree for St. George Health and Wellness magazine and St. George News.
The editor of St. George Health and Wellness magazine, DuPree earned a doctorate in human ecology with an emphasis in research, wellness, and relationships from Kansas State Univerisity. He also earned an International MBA from the University of South Carolina with an emphasis in consulting and entrepreneurship. He has written numerous articles, curriculums, and book chapters on wellness as it relates to inviduals, families, and communities. He enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, fishing, playing basketball, and spending time with his wife and three children.
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