With their final seasons as Judges cut short, we honor the members of the Class of 2021 with a series of Senior Spotlights.

Click for more Class of 2021 Senior Spotlights

Kat Puda '21, Women's Basketball

GET TO KNOW KAT

Hometown: Northbridge, Massachusetts

Majors/Minor: Psychology and Health: Science, Society and Policy/Philosophy

Favorite part of competing for Brandeis: Getting to experience flying to our conference games, staying in hotels with my best friends, traveling overseas, and seeing new cities, while also getting to play my favorite sport at such a high level, was incredible to me. My favorite memories as a part of BWB were made on these trips. It was also really special to me to get to play so close to home.

Getting to play in front of my parents and siblings during my college career was a privilege and I definitely never took that for granted.

Favorite athletic moments: Beating Wash U in their home gym my freshman year. The energy in that gym was electric and it was the first time we beat them there in 10 years.

Favorite Professor: Ellen Wright (psychology) because she showed me how I can use my love for basketball and sports within my academics. She is my advisor for the senior honors thesis that I'm writing where I am studying the impact that the COVID-19 cancellation of athletics seasons has had on student athletes. 

The thing that attracted me most to Brandeis: The team. I remember that the day after my overnight I called Coach Simon back and committed right away. I fell in love with the way the team was like a family, and how we literally do everything together.

Favorite place on campus outside of Gosman: Upper. Back in normal times when I would walk into the building there were guaranteed to be at least half of the people on our team set up there doing homework or hanging out. My favorite part of the day was seeing them all in the morning and catching up before my classes.

Favorite summer experience: Working as a Sports Licensing Intern for ISlide. I was responsible for researching existing licenses in leagues such as the NBA, MLB, and NCAA, compiling royalty reports to keep track of sales and to brainstorm new design and license ideas to present to the Key Accounts manager. I recently suggested a jersey style for the WNBA teams, and this was actually put into production!

Thing I'll miss most about Brandeis: Hanging out with the team all the time. It seemed like I spent every minute of free time with them and I'll miss having my best friends around at all times of the day.

After I graduate, I plan to: Go into coaching college basketball. I want to have an impact on this game well beyond as just a player.

Dream Job: College basketball coach.

Favorite Movie: Hoosiers, because my dad and I would watch it together before every game.

Favorite TV Shows: The Office, New Girl, and One Tree Hill. 

Favorite college team: Duke because I fell in love with Coach K's coaching style. Going to a game at Cameron Indoor Stadium has been on my bucket list since middle school.

Favorite Meal: Steak tips with fried rice or my mom's homemade spaghetti pie!

Favorite Quote: "Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire." Jennifer Lee

Kat Puda is a 2017 graduate of Worcester Academy.

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