Field Hockey Freshman Maiyah Brown is Getting a Head Start

PHILADELPHIA – By the time the season starts for Temple field hockey, freshman Maiyah Brown will already be a couple of months into her collegiate experience. Brown decided to take advantage of an opportunity to come early and take classes over the summer, and the chance to acclimate to both college life and the college classroom will no doubt pay dividends for her.

Brown, a 5-5 forward from Allentown, Pa., is a top recruit for 10th-year head coach Amanda Janney. In early April, Brown was named to the U.S. Indoor Field Hockey Team along with Temple senior and All-American Amber Youtz. As a four-year letterwinner at William Allen High School, Brown scored 36 goals, recorded 22 assists, was a two-time Lehigh Valley All-Star and was an All-Area selection as a senior.

After trying out for the U.S. Indoor Team the year before and not making it, Brown came back determined. "I didn't give up," she said. "Making the team makes me feel so much better about my chances in the future for everything I want to do."

With a current workload of two classes, Brown will be able to lighten her class load a little bit in the fall. She also attends early morning workouts with the Temple strength and conditioning staff, and plays field hockey in the evenings.

"It was very important to me to get into the flow of how college works and how much of a difference it is from high school," said Brown. "Knowing what I'm doing before the season starts and not having such a big class load during the season is a big reason why I came. I'll know what's expected of me and what's expected in classes."

In her initial visits to Philadelphia and to Temple, Brown said the diversity really stuck out to her, and is her favorite thing about being here so far. She felt a connection immediately with the city, the campus, her coaches and teammates.

"Out of all the places I was recruited, this is where I felt the most comfortable," she said. "There was just something about it, and I knew it would be a good fit for me."

Despite her young age, Brown already seems mature beyond her years. She gives a lot of credit to her high school coach at William Allen, Karen Nilson, for molding her into the player and the person she's become.

"She taught me a lot about life in general and about the game of field hockey," said Brown. "She taught me how to be more mature when it comes to playing the game and living life, so she really impacted my life a lot."

Just three weeks remain until the start of preseason for Temple, and there are just over five weeks to go until the first game on August 29. The Owls are coming off a season that saw them nationally ranked for the first time in 12 years, and with the addition of players like Brown, they are poised for even more success in 2014.

Getting to Know Maiyah

Do you have any nicknames?
My teammates and my coach in high school call me "MaiBro" because when I was younger, I signed a signature with half of my first name and half of my last name. I don't know why I did it, but they made fun of me and ever since then they've called me MaiBro.

What do you do in your free time?
Well now that I'm in college I do homework, but if I'm not doing that, I just sit back and listen to music or watch TV.

Any hidden talents?
I'd like to think I have a hidden talent but a lot of people don't agree with me. I like to sing, but I'm not very talented at it!

What are your strengths on the field?
My speed, stick work and communication.

What's your favorite thing about Philly so far?
Definitely the diversity. There are a lot of different races here. Just the vibe on campus. There aren't as many people here because it's summer, but I'm still really enjoying myself.

Dream job?
I don't have a dream job yet, but my dream goal is to play in the Olympics for field hockey, so hopefully I can get there.

Any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
I just like to focus. I'm quiet and keep to myself and try not to be too excited or get myself worked up.

Any other athletes in your family?
I have a cousin who's my age and plays basketball at the University of Virginia. My younger sister plays sports and my older sister did play sports in high school also.

Best advice you've received?
To always stay mentally strong. You can be faster and stronger than someone, but if they have a better mindset than you, they can beat you.

What else do people need to know about you?
When I don't know you I may seem shy, but I'm actually a very outgoing person and I like to laugh a lot.

Temple University Athletics

Field Hockey Freshman Maiyah Brown is Getting a Head Start

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