Follow along this February as Auburn soccer catches up with some of its most notable and successful alumnae as we celebrate Black History Month. Next to take the field is Ronda Brooks Black, an NSCAA All-American and the 2006 SEC Defender of the Year.
Q: Why did you choose to continue your career at Auburn?
Black: There were several reasons. First and foremost, I fell in love with the campus and the people that I encountered on my visits there. Someone once told me the right place would feel like home, and Auburn instantly felt that way to me. I also had three very good friends, Kristin Stewart, Jada Stewart and Chrissy Culver, on the team already who I loved and respected as people and soccer players. I knew that if they chose Auburn, it had to have been a very special place. Auburn had an up and coming team and they were a huge reason why. I realized that I wanted to be a part of building a program and not join a program that was already at the top. It really spoke to me in that way. Lastly, I chose it because of my biggest supporter — my momma! She said that I could go anywhere in the country as long as Southwest flew there. Luckily, she was able to easily make the less than two-hour drive each weekend for our games.
Q: How would you describe your college experience in a single word?
Black: Memorable.
Q: What did it mean for you to be a representative of a black student–athlete succeeding at the highest level?
Black: Ha! I didn't realize I was a role model at the time, but now, I hope that little girls who see me and know that I played soccer at a high level, are able to see themselves doing the same. Representation matters. I didn't have that, but the sport is changing and growing and I find myself smiling when I attend soccer games and I see all of the POC who are now helping to move the sport forward.
Q: What is your favorite memory from your time in college?
Black: Wow, there are so many. I loved living with some of my best friends — Kelsey, Jen Lee, Jada, Kristin. I loved attending my fellow student athletes' games/events. I loved traveling with my teammates all over the country and playing under the lights on Friday nights.
Q: What did you earn your degree in and what are you up to now?
Black: Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a minor in sport coaching. I'm a full time mom, 2.5-year-old and one on the way, work part-time as the Director of Operations for a small DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) consulting firm in Atlanta and coach part-time at Tophat Soccer Club.
Q: How are you still involved with the game of soccer?
Black: Soccer will always be a part of who I am and I have never strayed far from it. There's only been a very short period where I was not coaching girls youth soccer. I hope to be able to coach for years to come. I also still love playing in adult leagues, coed and women's, when my body allows it. Playing becomes more painful as you get older!
Q: What does it mean to you to be one of the most successful players in the history of the program?
Black: I'm extremely proud of what I've done, but ultimately, I look back and I'm thankful for the lessons I learned along the way that the sport of soccer taught me. There have been so many talented players that have gone through the Auburn program and I'm just proud to have stood alongside some of them.
Q: What would you consider your biggest accomplishment during your career?
Black: I have so many accomplishments to be proud of during my career at Auburn, but I always go back to winning the national championship in 2000 with my youth team — GSA 85' Phoenix Red. I am so thankful that I was able to join the team when I did and contribute in the way that I did in order for us to become the best team in the nation. This was the jump off point that allowed me the opportunity to play at such a high level in college. I will be forever grateful to my coach and for those girls.
Q: What makes Auburn Soccer special?
Black: The same thing that makes Auburn special, it's a family. We may not have all been best friends at the time, but when the time came, we fought for each other.
Q: What advice would you give to current and future members of the program?
Black: First, take several times each year to reflect on your journey. The time flies by and you want to soak up all of the good and the bad and store that in your memory bank. These will be some of the toughest, physically, emotionally, mentally, moments of your life, but boy will they be some of the most precious and enjoyable too. Second, use all the academic support/counseling/guidance that is offered so you have an idea of what you would like your future to look like after soccer. As a student-athlete, your identity gets wrapped up so deeply in athletics and when that ends it can be a difficult transition. Third, try to experience all that Auburn has to offer — the people, academic events, sporting events, campus events, restaurants, traditions, etc. Lastly, be true to who you are and use your voice when you see injustice.
Q: What is your legacy? What do you want people to remember about Ronda?
Black: I hope that they don't just remember me as a soccer player. I hope that they remember that I care about them and if they need me, I will do all that I can to be there. I pride myself on being fiercely loyal and protecting those around me.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add regarding your time as a black student-athlete at Auburn?
Black: The black student-athletes at Auburn were all supportive of one another. We might have come from different backgrounds but we shared a lot of similarities and experiences.
Black History Month: Catching up with Ronda Brooks Black
