Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1489591
26 WAC Magazine | wac.net living fit meet the athlete Meet the athlete Joyce Harrell By Joey Carreon WAC women's basketball player Joyce Harrell grew up in Seattle and played for Grover Cleveland High School and Boise State University (2015–2019). After work- ing as a graduate assistant for the Boise State football program and later as a personnel scout for the Miami Dolphins, Joyce returned to Seattle in 2021 and serves as the University of Washington's Director of On-Campus Recruiting. She has been a WAC member since child- hood and grew up visiting the Club with her father, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. Q. What are some of your fondest memories from your career at Boise State? A. One of my favorite memories is se- nior night, when we were playing for the Mountain West regular season champi- onship. It was my last home game, and I was playing with Jayde Christopher, one of my childhood best friends. We'd been playing together since we were 10. Winning that game in front of my family with one of the first people I started playing basketball with was everything I could dream of. Q. How did your game evolve over the course of your journey from high school recruit to college senior at Boise State? A. I had to adjust to the coaching style in college. e culture we had at Boise State is what made us successful, and every- one knew their role and stuck to it. at's how we won championships—we all learned to play for each other and have everyone's back. Q. Growing up, were there any players you modeled your game aer? A. I was obsessed with watching Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie. I even had a poster of them in my room. Q. Was the WNBA or overseas hoops ever on your radar? A. I thought about it. But if you know me, you know I don't have the best knees. Once I got the opportunity to work in football, my whole world changed. Now I get to play pickup basketball once a week with the rest of the retired crew. Q. Tell us about your current position with the University of Washington. A. I handle all the official visits for re- cruits to the football program. We show them what UW and Seattle have to offer. We also watch film and do player break- downs, which is similar to the personnel scouting I did for the Dolphins. Q. Do you have any advice for young women and girls looking to pursue a career in collegiate or pro sports? A. Be a role model and help others. I made it a priority to help any girl or young woman that wants to pursue a sports career in a male-dominated field. E M I L I O H U E R TA S Join the best men's basketball league in the city! Registration for the WAC Bas- ketball League's Spring 2023 season is open through February 3. The league has five divisions based on skill level and age. Games begin February 13 and run through April. All players are guaranteed seven regular season games, playoffs, and an end-of-season banquet. Players are drafted onto teams at the appropriate skill level, and all members who sign up are guaranteed to make a team. Season price: $70. We also offer a recreational adult women's team. For more information and to register, contact Athletic Programs Manager Darin Barr at 206.464.3074 or dbarr@wac.net. WAC BASKETBALL LEAGUE Registration now open for the Spring 2023 season