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Hey everybody, and welcome back to Echoes of the Yard. I'm your host Kendyl Terrell, a soccer player at Jackson State University, and this podcast is all about HBCUs. From the guests to the topics, the good and the bad, we're here to talk about it all. For the eighth episode, I'm joined by Sierra Sandy, a tennis player from Florida A&M University and recent transfer to Georgia State. We've got so much to talk about, so tell me about yourself. Like what's your background? Where you're from?

I was born in Woodbridge, Virginia. Grew up there all my life with my brother, my sister, and my two parents. My mom, she works for the government. She got her own thing going on. And my dad, he is a two-time Olympian, so I grew up in a household with a lot of athletes, and my brother plays soccer overseas professionally, so I was always used to that. And I've been playing tennis for a long time. I've been playing tennis for a long time. I've been playing tennis for 16 years, so that's been basically my whole life. I'm not going to lie. Why'd you start playing tennis? How, like, why? Like, why tennis? So basically, I'm not going to lie, this was a plot from my dad. He put a tennis racket and a tennis ball, like one of the sponge balls, in the basement and I just picked it up, started playing with it. Once he noticed that I started getting very interested, that's when he took me on to the tennis court in the neighborhood.

I would just hit a couple of balls. All of them were terrible but I applauded so I thought I was good so it didn't matter. And then after that, once tennis got more serious, it was my main sport. Around the age of nine, that's when I started playing national and international tournaments. So that's how it all started. So when did you realize, like, you wanted to pursue it in college? To be honest, dang. Because, you know, like, when you start a sport when you're a kid, you're like, oh, I'm going pro, you know? And you don't even think about college. It wasn't even a conversation, you know? But I would say when I started realizing how serious and how intense college sports can be and how it's a good first stop before going pro was probably when I was about maybe 13.

We went to a national camp, and one of the speakers, she was a - I forgot her name, this is so bad, but I think she was the first Black woman who played at Michigan, University of Michigan, to win NCAAs for singles. And when you win NCAAs in tennis, you get a wild card into the U.S. Open. So once I saw that, I was like, okay, this is kind of cool. So I was like, maybe it's not too bad. So yeah. So you went to a tennis academy. Tell me about that. What is that? Tennis academy? They don't have no soccer academy. Okay. So I went to, one of the best tennis academies in the country. It could be arguable because there's a couple, few that are pretty good.

But to be honest, when I went there as part of like the afterschool program, everything was fine. I had a great time. I was improving, doing well, but it was all the way in Maryland. So I would literally, right after school, drive an hour and some change to Maryland, train, come back home around like eight, nine o'clock and have to do homework and stuff. So after they started seeing that, like, I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm going to go to Maryland. I'm going to go to Maryland. I'm going to go to Maryland. I'm going to go to Maryland. I'm going to go to Maryland.' I'm going to go to Maryland. I was developing pretty fast. They recommended me doing the full-time program. So, I was like, at first, I was crying.

I was like, 'I want to finish middle school.' I can't do this. But then my parents were like, 'You'll be fine.' You can start in high school. So, I was like, for sure. I went, and that's where everything went downhill. I'm not going to lie. Academy tennis, I would say it's not for everybody. And I think for me, it was hard for me to express how I was feeling, how things are going. So, I think I stayed there a lot longer. My parents started seeing a shift in, like, how I was acting, how I felt about the sport. And that's when they pulled me out of the program, because I wasn't going to tell them, because I was like, oh, I feel like a quitter if I tell them this anymore.

Yes. One thing about us, no quitters. No quitters. That's what I'm saying. And I'm not going to lie. I did have to deal with a lot of, like, you know, racism, microaggressions, shoot, gaslighting, all that stuff. And it was pretty bad. And I think, especially when you're young and you're Black in those type of environments, especially when you're playing a predominantly white sport, I think it's very important to express and know that, be in spaces that you're wanted and not be like, 'you have to be here because this is the best or considered, like, the best tennis academy or the best program.' Yeah. You can go somewhere else and still improve, because a positive environment is a lot better than a bad environment. And I think that's what I'm saying.

And I think that's what I'm saying. In an environment that's negative, that has a good resume. Exactly. I love that. So, like, you were in high school around COVID. So, and, like, how was, like, your recruiting process then? And, like, what impact did COVID have on your high school career? So, once I left the tennis academy my junior year, and I was trying to pick up from everything that I lost. So, I was in school for probably, like, three months. I'm not going to lie. I was in school for probably, like, three months. I was in school for probably, like, three months. I was in school for probably, like, three months. I was in school for probably, like, three months. I was in school for probably, like, three months.

So, I was in school for probably. So, I was like, dang. So, now I'm back to being homeschooled. I was like, okay. So, then that happened. So, tournaments shut down. So, and then tennis was shut down, period. Because in the North, they took COVID very seriously. So, they would take the nets off the tennis courts. They would lock the gates. So, there wasn't practicing anywhere. Everything was shut down. So, it's like, okay, everything's on pause. And I'm trying to build up from what I got, but recruitment starts junior year. Yeah. So I'm like, OK, so I'm hitting up different colleges. I'm like, hey, please take me. But you literally I need a new home, please. But everybody got their extra year of eligibility. So they're like, well, our our our team is full.

Sorry, our team is full. Sorry, we can't. Sorry, sorry, sorry. That's oh, my gosh. I heard so many sorries that I started to cry. I was like, I can't do this anymore. Right. But then luckily, my coach from Florida A&M had extra spot. And luckily, one of the girls didn't take her fifth year. So I was the only freshman on the team for fifth years and seniors. And, you know, that's how it all happened. I'm not going to lie. I probably hit up around 50 different schools before I got. Sometimes you have to get it done. That's how you've got to do it. That's how you've got to do it. So you just recently transferred to Georgia State, but we'll get to that later. You spent the last couple of years at FAMU.

So tell me about like when you got there, because I know your story getting there. But like when you got to FAMU, what was going through your head? What was your process like? What was going on? I'm not going to lie. In my head, I'm like, I don't want to be here. I don't want to be here. Like, I'm not going to lie. At first, like, if I was just a student, I was I would have loved it at first. But like when you hear tennis, you don't really hear HBCU. So I didn't know how good the SWAC was, because in my head, I'm like, all my friends went to these power five schools, this, that and the third. People I used to beat are going there.

And I was like, OK, but I'm here. But then when I played in the SWAC, I was like, 'OK, that's different.' It's different. It's different. So definitely don't sleep on HBCUs. You know, it's definitely not for real. But when I first got there, it was it was definitely a lot. I would definitely say definitely a different environment. I was used to being in a lot of white spaces, but it was also refreshing not being the minority, you know. And I made a lot of friends. I'm still friends with now. And but I would say with tennis is definitely not a major sport. So it wasn't treated, you know, that well at the beginning with the old AD. The old AD.

The new AD, she made it known, like, 'Hey, the tennis team were here.' She made every sport feel appreciated, no matter if it was tennis, bowling, or golf. Well, let me take your AD then. Give me your AD. Come on. She is a powerful black woman. Here he is. And when you put a woman in charge, it's going to get done. I'll tell you that. OK, I love that. Make sure you quote that. When you put a woman in charge, it's going to get done. I love that. Tell her to come here. Listen. So how would you rate your overall experience as a student at Florida A&M? Give me like a one through ten. Like, what is it like? Damn. So, a student athlete or just a student?

As a student, I'd definitely give it like a seven. OK, explain. Well, the reason why I give it a seven is because, number one, the connections, everything, they definitely prepare you. Yeah. For a lot of different situations. So I definitely enjoy that. And the environment as well. But I would say it's like the typical, you know, financial aid, academic advisors. You got some professors that don't care, but then you have some professors that change your life. So I definitely would say definitely a seven because it's not completely perfect and it definitely could get better. Yeah. I agree 100 percent. Like at Jackson State, I definitely have had those professors that like change your life. And then you have some of those that don't. But I feel as though it's not because it's just an HBCU.

I feel as though it's it's everywhere. And I think like a lot of people try to base like problems with just because it is the HBCU. But like you go somewhere else, it's probably even worse or the exact same. So I definitely can understand that. But rate your experience as an athlete. Woo! I will give it a five. OK, explain. I'll give it a five because I'll definitely say my freshman year definitely wasn't the best being on a team with just seniors in fifth years. They already had their issues going on, you know, and, you know, I was getting treated definitely unfairly by them. Yeah. So it was a very stressful first year. I still had a good year, like results wise, but like mentally it was it was draining.

And then the last my sophomore and junior year, it was the same way. Like the team dynamic wasn't the best. It was very I would definitely say toxic. I definitely love my coach as a person, but I just didn't agree how she ran certain things. Yeah. And it wasn't the best. Yeah. And also like A.D. Sykes, I love her. And the thing is, is that she had to clean up what the other A.D. left. Yeah. So, you know, my freshman year, we were promised resurfacing courts. We didn't get them. Now they're just resurfacing it as I leave. Wow. Actually, no. What motivated them was the tornado. Oh, my God. The tornado tore up the courts. The fences were leaning. It was bad. But she had to clean up everything.

Like we didn't have windscreens. And it's very windy. We had practices where we couldn't play because the ball was just moving like different directions because of the wind. It was just it was very unprofessional at times. Yeah. I just didn't like it. It was a very toxic environment. I couldn't grow. That's definitely understandable. Like I've been to three colleges. Like, well, I've been to two before I got to my third Jackson State. And like, I'm not saying Jackson State doesn't have its own drama. And but like, I think. The reason I'm OK with the drama at Jackson State, it's because it's like it's not drama because I'm a black woman. It's drama because we don't mesh. It's because we don't have the same personalities like they just don't buy.

But like, I think I appreciate Jackson State so much. It's because it's like, oh, my gosh, that's a black girl in majority situations playing in a predominantly white sport. So I definitely understand. And I'm six-to soccer players. So like everybody thinks I know everybody thinks like I'm just like aggressive and mean. And like they they label me like that right right out the gate. So like coming to Jackson State, we went through a water crisis. Like, girl, we didn't have no water. We would have to go to practice, be dirty and couldn't shower because we had no water. Like the AC didn't work. Like it was. Don't get me wrong. It was a struggle. It was a mental battle. Like I had to convince myself this is where I needed to be.

But like it's just once you get into the bigger picture, it was just like, yeah, like, no, this is through all the struggle. But it was all worth it because we got them rings. Like, I can't even lie. Once you put a ring on, it's just kind of like, whoa, that was worth it. But so how do you think you've grown as an athlete from the beginning of your college sports career? I would definitely say my mental state. OK. You know, coming in, my mental state definitely wasn't the best because, you know, of transitioning from a very toxic tennis academy to coming to FAMU, but then having teammates that treat you bad and then now losing my motivation and then having a team that was. Even worse on the mental. But.

There was a quote that I read that really put everything in perspective, which was 'don't be a prisoner of your past.' It's not a life sentence. And sometimes I feel like when we go through stuff, we now we know it's part of our identity. We make it part of our identity instead of rejecting it. And once, my junior year came in, I was like, you know what? I'm going to make sure I'm waking up every morning, putting in that extra work. I'm going to make sure every day I'm working on my mental health. I'm giving myself breaks from tennis. So when I'm playing tennis, I'm putting in a lot of quality and it's not just all this quantity with. Yeah. But, you know, not really doing much. Yeah.

And knowing that, like, you know, coaches can say this, but you don't have to take it 100 percent. Take what you need and move on. Yeah. And do what you've got to do, because sometimes you have to do things on your own so you can get to a position where you can get better help, where you can improve and do what you've got to do. Yeah. So it was more of taking control of myself and not letting anybody else control me. I love that. That's what it was. I really liked what you said. About, like, don't be a prisoner of your past. My dad died when I was about 15. So, I think going into college, my coach expressed that my passion was because I was grieving for my dad.

And it's like they were forcing that identity on onto me. And it was just like it was so hard because I was like, no, I was like me being passionate about my sport is not because my dad is dead. Like, and I I want people to understand that so much just because I talk about my dad's death doesn't mean I'm using it as an excuse, just because I'm feeling emotions about my dad's death doesn't mean I'm using it as an excuse to get things out of life or to get like permission to do other things instead of the things I'm supposed to be doing. Like, I think I love that you said that because a prisoner of your past, like, not only do I don't necessarily think I put myself as a prisoner.

I think a lot of people lock me up in that same stereotype, that same narrative, like that. Oh, you can't handle this because you've lost. And it's just not true. So I really appreciate you sharing that part of your story. And so do you think like playing for an HBCU has made your college sports easier or harder for you? I'll say harder. OK. Only because, yes, there are good schools in the SWAC that we play against, but there's also schools that, like, aren't too good in the SWAC. Like, there'll be some schools where like they'll have like the top three players. They're good. But then the bottom three on the roster. Haven't touched a racket before. And it's like this is Division One. You know what I'm saying?

And I feel like going from playing high-level tennis and then then playing some of these matches where it's like, OK, well, you just learned tennis this year. And I've spent years of my life. It definitely lowered my level in that way. So that's why sometimes we play. We'll go play this school. But then the next match. We're playing Florida State. You know what I'm saying? And it's like, how am I going to be prepared to play those types of matches when they're hitting harder? Their ball, their shot tolerance is higher. And it's just, it's just, it's a lot different. Yeah. But I'll definitely say, like, definitely moving to Georgia State. I'm going to be used. I'm going to get used to, you know, consistent play.

That's like, you know, a lot better than when I was in the SWAC where it was very up and down. Yeah. So do you feel like Georgia State will be a better fit for me? Definitely, especially being in an environment that I like, because me personally, I wasn't going to transfer anywhere where I didn’t know or like or like I wasn’t secure in my decision because with the coach there, a lot of people that I used to play against or train with, they were coached by him. So he and also a coach that I met in Delray was coached by him. And he was like, he’s a great guy. He’s a great coach. So it was it was random. I was like, oh, I didn’t know he was going to coach by him.

But I know that he’s a he’s very consistent in what he does. And I like his mindset because we played against them. I would see how he coaches his girls. I see how he uplifts his girls, how he works them and everything like that. And I want to be part of something like that. And I see the team dynamic because you can see a team and know, oh, this is kind of fake. Like y'all, y'all don't actually like each other. You know what I'm saying? Like none of y'all. But you can definitely see the team dynamic and how they work together, because when they're competing, you can tell that like they're not just playing for themselves. They're playing for each other because they want to win.

So it's about being in a positive environment and being led with someone who is a great leader. So that's what I wanted. And I saw it. So like, no, I definitely understand that because my coach at Jackson State, shout out Coach Ted. I will always give him a shout out because, as like a person, he cares about his players so much. And no matter if we do not like each other or not, he likes it not. I hate to use the word force, but it's like sometimes when you keep trying to make something happen, it just it just magically starts to work. But like he cares about you so much as a person. And I have the utmost respect for this man because, like, I just he just knows how to talk to me.

We know how to have a conversation because I'm not the easiest to deal with. I can admit that. But like him just breaking down and being that coach that I needed instead of what I thought I wanted was such a blessing for me. So you went through some adversity in high school and college. What kept you so strong or helped you get through the tough times? Oh, hey, what did help me? If I'm being honest, definitely my parents and my friends. But your village. Basically, like I'm not going to lie. At first, when I was scared to talk to my parents, like I said, I didn't want to quit. I didn't want to look like a quitter. You know what I'm saying? Shout out to my best friend, Taylor. I love her.

She really got me through a lot of hard times. You know, friends that I had before, like long-term friends I had before, when I transitioned into becoming a full-time, you know, they they stopped talking to me. But Taylor was always there. Definitely in the hardest times where I'm crying. I'm like, I can't do this. I don't want to be at this place anymore. Really keeping me going and also making friends that are very passionate in what they do. Yeah. And it rubs off on you. You know, you you want to also be that good role model that they are to you. Yeah. So it definitely helped a lot. And also talking to my family more because I felt like while I was at that tennis academy, you would say something like, you know, this is how I'm feeling.

And to them, it's like; that's not how you feel. Yeah. Like, invalidate your feelings. Yeah, exactly. Because it's them against a 15-year-old black girl. Who are they going to believe? You know what I'm saying? Sidebar. Sidebar. Listen, but there was; I'm not going to say which one because I don't want to get in trouble. But one of the owners at the academy. Right. I remember. I remember my friends told me this story. They were like, 'oh, this happened.' He said this. And I was trying to like justify because I don't know. It's like; I was delusional or something. Like this can't be real. They can't be real. I'm trying to justify their actions because I'm so used to like the coaches justifying other coaches' actions when it when it was like, no, they're 100 percent wrong.

Just to make you feel like, you know, you're delusional. You're it's not what you saw, what you heard, what they did to you is not real. It didn't happen. So I was exactly. So I was like, I was like, OK. Three days later, the same thing happens again, but I'm there. So I'm like, OK. So he goes to use the bathroom. Mind you, this is after school. We're all hanging in the hallway. Mind you, it's like five black kids, including me and two Colombians. Right. So we're like, we're chilling. And we're talking like usual after school. He comes out the bathroom. He's like, 'Oh, so this is what it looks like when they open the gates to jail.' And I was like, 'I was stuck because the thing is, is like none of us had the confidence to say anything because he controlled everything.' I remember we went to the Hamptons because me and this other girl for our age division, we were considered the best juniors.

So and we also had sponsors. So we went over there and I'm literally at the table at the last house. We were at this huge mansion. They had chefs. They were giving us food. There was asparagus. I hate asparagus. That's nasty. You know? Yeah. They're passing everything around. And I passed asparagus because I didn't want to take that. Right. And so he's like, 'oh, Sierra, you don't want asparagus.' I was like, 'no, thank you. I'm good.' And then he proceeds to put it in my face. And I was like, 'no, thank you. I'm good.' I'm trying to not say his name, but I was like, 'no, thank you. I'm good.' I give back. I come back to practice the next week after being in the Hampton for four days.

My coach comes up to me. I'm disappointed in you. So I'm like, 'what did I do?' And so basically he was like, 'she was like, oh, he said that you were being very disrespectful, saying get stuff out of your face and stuff'. And I was like, hmm. So then I started crying because I was like, I can never win, bro. I was at my breaking point. And so I'm calling my dad. I'm like, this is what's going on. My dad was like, you know, just talk to him, you know, bring like a pen and paper so you can like write down what you did and everything. So I go to talk to him and he was like, oh, then it's probably just a misunderstanding. I get it. Whatever.

So we came to an agreement. Right. He was like, OK, I probably misheard it. I'm leaving his office. The head coach goes into his office. I forget my pen. So as I'm walking back, I'm hearing him talk to the head coach. He's like, I don't understand. She's just so rude. Like, I don't, I don't understand what she was talking about and this. And I was like, hmm. So I can never win. And that's when I realized I'm going to be treated differently. I'm going to be seen differently. Whatever I say is going to be changed just because of how I look. And I was like, you know what? This is horrible. And it's not just him who owns the place. It's the receptionist. It's. It's some of the coaches.

It's some of the parents, even the athletic trainer, you know, not treating certain people because her daughter doesn't like them. It was just it was just bad. And everybody that got the most of the people that got the short end of the stick were the people that look like me. So. So what, what advice do you give people that are going through those tough times? Like, what can you even say to them to be like, I don't know, boost their spirits? I will definitely say, think to yourself, can I handle this environment? Is this environment beneficial to me? Yeah. And everything like that, because one thing that. And it's crazy how you learn things after something happens.

One thing that I did learn is that sometimes you cannot grow in the area that you grew up at because they're going to see you as the old you and not the new you. Come on. But even when I went back, they were like, because the thing is, I was I was one of those players that was always in the front, always wanted to hear what the coaches were saying, you know, very motivated. But once I became a full timer, all that went down the drain. And like after every day I was dreading, you know, and they see me as the person that I changed into. But once I left that environment, I came to FAM. Everybody's like Sierra's a very hard.

Hard worker, because if you weren't seeing me in class or in the calf, you're either seeing me on court or running around campus getting the miles in. You know, everybody knew me as a hard worker. But if I go back to that environment, they're going to see me as the player that I turned into being in that environment. So definitely. It's OK to leave. You know, they may feed into your head like it won't get better than this. You won't find a better academy or distance that in the third. But I'd rather but I'd rather be in a situation where someone cares about me. Yeah. She's where I can be at then be in an environment where you have these couple of coaches that care about you.

But when those coaches aren't around, it's like open fire on you. Yeah. No, that's really. Yeah, that's real. So before I get to the last question, is there anything else you want to share about your story that you think listeners should hear or anything about your experience as a student athlete at FAMU? One thing. That FAMU taught me. Especially as a student athlete. When you're transitioning into your adulthood, it's take control of your life. Because sometimes, you know, a lot of us, you know, our parents are doing a lot of things for us, you know. But when you rely on other people, like how you rely on your parents, sometimes they're not going to do things how your parents would do them. No disappointment. They'll disappoint you. Thank you. They'll disappoint you.

So definitely take control of your life, of your environment, because you know what's best for you. You know yourself. Obviously, take help, but be in control. Because the moment you're not in control, they may mess up your class schedule. Then when you get towards the end of your college career, you're like, oh, you need this class. But you can't take this class right now because only for next semester. You got to graduate a semester later. Yes. That's one of the worst stories. Like, don't let that happen to you. Yeah. Like, trust, because it's coming from a first point of view. I've experienced it. So, yeah, don't let them do something because, like, they were telling me I was missing non-credits. And I was like, how? Like, that's impossible.

But I did end up graduating May 4th with my bachelor's in psychology. So we're good. We're good. Okay. So our last question is presented by our sponsor, Cricket Wireless. So shout out to Cricket, a proud supporter of HBCU culture and community. So how has going to an HBCU influenced the person you are today? It's definitely made me more confident. I'll tell you that. If you go to HBCU, it's very hard to, like, try to hide. Yeah. Because no one's going to find you. They're going to talk to you. Come here. Even in class, especially if you're one of those. I was a business major for a semester. And they're going to put you out there until you fake it till you make it. And I think that's definitely really helped me because after being homeschooled for a while, I lost my confidence when it came to that. Yeah. You know? I always wanted to hide. Don't talk to me because I want to be in my corner. Yeah. But definitely made me more confident. Helped with networking, connecting with people. And definitely just putting myself out there because you never know what opportunities you can get. You know?

I love that. You know what they say. You know? You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Exactly. So, right. Like, this has been so good. Thank you so much for joining me and sharing your experience. I literally have enjoyed it so much, Sierra. Thank you. Like, thank you so much. Literally. Listeners, thanks for tuning in. We've got tons more great guests. And we'll continue talking about HBCUs from all angles. So, make sure you rate, review, subscribe. So, you don't miss out on more Echoes of the Yard presented by Cricket Wireless. Thank you so much. Of course. Thank you.