Cousins find a home for academics and athletics at Brandywine

MEDIA, Pa. — For cousins Nia Moore and Nigel Moore — both natives of Gainesville, Virginia — the opportunity to earn a college degree from a highly regarded university while continuing to play the sport they love drew them to Penn State Brandywine.

Before transitioning to Brandywine this fall, the cousins spent a year at Penn State Mont Alto, where Nia was recruited to play volleyball, and then Nigel was recruited for basketball. They were then drawn to Brandywine by the campus’ growing athletic programs and recent shift to NCAA Division III and the United East Conference.

While they weren’t initially committed to attending college together, they said they grew up almost as siblings and going to the same school was a definite plus, among other considerations.

“We wanted to attend a college where the athletic program was just going to keep building, and then we visited Brandywine and really enjoyed the campus, the athletic staff and the coaches,” Nia said, adding that she and Nigel preferred to remain with Penn State.

Both Nia and Nigel are majoring in business, and Nigel is pursuing the business analytics option.

“I picked my major because my family does a lot of business,” Nigel said. “That’s what I’m interested in. And it ties in with sports because the business field could branch out into a lot of areas.”

Nia agreed, saying “Business is a good foundation and it has a lot of opportunities, and it’s also a good balance with sports.”

Nia started playing volleyball about six years ago and was part of club teams during her high school years. Nigel started playing basketball as a young child and became more serious about the sport during high school, where he played on the school team.

For both, athletics has been an important part of their college experience so far.

“It’s been more enjoyable, having the athletics side and the academic side, and learning how to spend your time well, time management, getting your exercise in a fun way, but still getting your education at the same time,” Nia said.

“You have to learn how to balance your time,” said Nigel, who is currently recovering from an injury. “Athletics can take up a lot of time. That’s just the impact with athletics. You have to figure out how to balance it with schoolwork.”

Both credited Myeisha Matos, assistant athletic director, for her support, along with others. They emphasized the friendships they have formed and the support they have received from teammates.

“My friends on the basketball team have been supportive,” Nigel said. “They’ve been holding me down since I’ve been here, especially dealing with my injury, and Coach (Nick) Burke’s been good, and Myeisha as well, helping me out with classes and navigating that space.”

“When we first got here, Myeisha really helped to make sure everything was finalized,” Nia added. “And all my teammates are very supportive and welcoming, and all the professors, too. I just felt like coming to Brandywine was an easy process and everything has been smooth.”

The two student-athletes agreed that time management is one of the most important lessons they’ve learned in their college careers.

“You have to manage your time,” Nigel said. “You have to have your priorities straight. You have to know what’s a priority and what’s not a priority, and just stay level-headed and focused.”

And for both, attending college with a close relative has been a special experience.

“It means a lot, because in our family, it’s pretty much been the two of us who went to college straight out of high school and play a collegiate sport,” Nigel said. “I think it’s just really cool how we have each other through the process and growing through college and sports. And our family is really supportive, too.”