Friday, November 12, 2021

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes who are members of their respective institutions’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In addition to providing feedback on the student-athlete experience, conference and institutional SAAC members also offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

Name: Mason Powell
Sport: Baseball
Institution: Montana State University Billings
Year: Junior
Major: Business Management
Hometown: Gillett, Wyoming

Why Did You Choose To Attend MSUB?: I love the town of Billings, it’s close to home and their baseball program has always stood out as a top program.

What Is Your Favorite College Class And Why?: Education Psychology. It’s very interesting to learn how people’s brains learn and function. Understanding how people learn new things is vital when it comes to teaching or managing people in life.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor?: David Blair. He was kind, he understood how to teach a class and keep students engaged and he genuinely cared about students.

How Many Years Have You Been Involved In SAAC?: Two.

Why Did You Choose To Get Involved With SAAC?: I want to use my sport that I play to better help my college and community, and SAAC is an organization that focuses a lot on those two important things.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You After You Graduate?: I’ve learned how to work with people and peers towards a common goal, which is applicable to many different tasks in life.

What Is The Biggest Obstacle You Have Overcome During Your Collegiate Career?: Not being able to play baseball or interact with teammates much during COVID shutdowns was quite hard and difficult. I had to learn how to still connect with others and find enjoyment when things didn’t go my way.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: Humbly hard working. We don’t get praise or glory, but we enjoy our sports and play just as hard as everyone else at a higher level.

Who Is Your Current Mentor?: My Bible study leader Shawn Brookhart, my high school baseball coach Nate Perleberg and my father Brad Powell.

What Are Your Future Goals After Graduating?: I want to work in full-time ministry as either a pastor or a college ministry leader, and also get married and have a family.

What Advice Would You Have For An Incoming Freshman?: Hang around good influences. Don’t give in to what others are doing if it’s not good.

What’s Your Favorite Thing About Being Part Of The GNAC?: Community service and helping others with the abilities and resources we have.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person, Who Would It Be?: Jesus, because of His influence on humanity, His example of servitude and His profoundly mysterious saving grace He offers to anyone and everyone regardless of their background.

Favorite Sports Team: Boston Red Sox

Favorite Athlete: Nolan Arenado.

Extracurricular Activities: Reading my Bible, disc golf, cribbage, hiking, biking and movie watching.

What’s Something People Don’t Know About You?: I have amazing yo-yo skills.