Division III Week Student Spotlight – Addison Genard
This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the ninth-year event.
Division III Week is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes.
As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, student-athletes will be featured this week. Addison Genard and Drew Mathers are today's featured student-athletes.
By Brittany Greene
Sports Information Assistant
Name: Addison Genard
Year: Senior
Hometown: Mobile, Ala.
Major: Communication Studies
Sport: Volleyball / Beach Volleyball
Athletic Accomplishments: Genard is a three-year player in volleyball and beach volleyball. She has been part of three of the first four beach volleyball seasons for the Hawks and 12 of the first 14 wins in program history. During the shortened season this spring, the program reached five wins in its first 11 matches to set a new program record for wins in a season. In indoor volleyball, Genard has played in 104 matches and recorded 649 kills and 280 blocks. Since 2008, when the NCAA went to the current 25-point scoring format, she ranks ninth in program history in kills and is third in blocks. She is a two-time USA South Athletic Conference West Division selection (first-team in 2019 and second-team in 2018). In 2019, she helped Huntingdon to a 23-15 record as the Hawks reached the USA South Tournament semifinals for the first time. The 23 wins were the most for the program since at least 2006.
Academic Achievements and Campus Activities: Genard has been named to the Dean's List of High Honors and the USA South Academic All-Conference team each year of her collegiate career. She is a Huntingdon Ambassador and a Student Government Association Senator and has been an Orientation Leader and a Huntingdon Leadership Academy Mentor. As a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, she has served as President of Administration and Vice President of External Affairs.
What made you feel like Huntingdon was the right place for you? "I liked the community atmosphere. Everybody on Huntingdon's campus is so friendly and genuinely wants to see the students succeed. Huntingdon's values matched my own and I immediately felt at home."
As a student-athlete, what is your impression of Division III now compared to your first season? "When I first decided to come to a Division III school, I was worried that sports would not be taken as seriously as it is at other schools. I was very wrong. Division III does not mean my experience as a student-athlete is anything less than that of other divisions. Division III has great competition and we work hard on and off the court."
With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the world we live in, what have you learned about the compassion and resiliency of your friends, family and classmates? "While everyone is experiencing this pandemic together, we all process things differently. It is so important to extend compassion to all and to be understanding of their feelings. While some are thriving while being at home, others are not. For myself, I have been happy to be home with my family, but I miss my college friends and teammates very much. FaceTime has been a lifesaver, but I will never take for granted the moments we shared actually being together."
If you could offer one piece of encouragement at this time to your friends, family and classmates, what would it be? "Be where your feet are. While this may not be ideal, try and find the joy in the place you are."
What advice would you give our current underclassmen and incoming recruits to better prepare them for the next few years? "My advice is to be teachable/coachable. Whether you are learning how to navigate college academics or college sports, be willing to learn from those who are teaching. Trust me, they have your best interest at heart."
How has your experience at Huntingdon prepared you for life after Huntingdon? "No matter where I end up, I know I will always have my Huntingdon family. Even more than that, Huntingdon has taught me the importance of establishing a community. In order to succeed, one should surround themselves with people who will encourage them. Huntingdon was that community and as I leave, I will be looking to establish and grow my community outside the city limits of Montgomery, Alabama."