Jose Brambila
Sports Editor
Scholar-athlete Kyndall Taylor, who graduated from the University in January of this year, has shown her mettel both on and off the soccer field: Last month the American Kinesiology Association announced that Taylor was one of 40 winners in the U.S. and Canada to recived the association’s prestigious Undergraduate Scholar Award.
In a recent interview with the Campus Times, Taylor talked about about winning the award and her life post graduation.
How did you become a contendor for such a prestigious award?
It’s a national award that universities that have kinesiology departments are associated with. Our school, as a member of that program, submitted my application and resume with everything that I have accomplished. There were only forty of us picked across the nation.
What have you been doing since graduating and ending your college soccer career?
Currently I am coaching soccer in Brea. I am applying to become a physician assistant and get my master’s degree and work in the emergency department or maybe in pediatrics.
When did you decide your career path?
La Verne had a career fair here for science majors in 2013 during my freshman year. When I first arrived at the University I wanted to become a physical therapist. But as I went through the career fair I met another student who was at the time in enrolled in physician assistant program and I fell in love with what she was doing and the flexibility of the job. For example, you can switch departments if you want to and no focus is set in stone.
Besides soccer, what do you like to do for fun?
I recently picked up kick boxing and yoga. As a retired athlete, those are the two hobbies I picked up to stay in shape.
What was the experience of being a student-athlete at the University of La Verne like?
I loved it! I loved the athlete community that we have here. Majority of the student population are athletes. So, we are able to create a family like environment with all the different sports here. Being able to travel and fulfill my childhood dream of being a collegiate soccer player was awesome.
Last year’s season did not turn out great, but what potential does the program have for next season?
The La Verne soccer program has a bright future. This year we have a lot of talented players transferring into our program. They are players that I am very familiar playing with back in Elk Grove (her hometown). I am excited to see what they will bring to program and hopefully move it forward in a positive direction.
Jose Brambila can be reached at jose.brambila@laverne.edu or on twitter @jozy_brambila7.
