Get to Know Former Women's Volleyball Student-Athlete Becky Falk '01

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The next alum in the Moravian College Department of Athletics & Recreation's Get to Know Series is former women's volleyball student-athlete Becky Falk from the Class of 2001. Falk helped the Greyhounds to the only three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances in school history. Falk had 922 kills and 193 blocks in her career while playing in 125 matches over four seasons.

Becky Falk
Class: 2001

How did you choose the sport you played when you were growing up? My dad played volleyball, and he was actually at a volleyball game on the night I was born.  My mom was worried he would miss the birth, but it was a playoff game!  Volleyball then became something my younger sister and I always did together throughout school

Why did you choose to come to Moravian College? I actually was accepted into three very different schools, Penn State, Drexel and Moravian.  The minute I stepped on Moravian's campus I could see myself there, the small class sizes, not being just a number, and being able to play volleyball at the collegiate level with a great program.  Being able to play volleyball definitely sealed the deal.

What experiences as a student-athlete at Moravian helped prepare you for life after college? Being a student athlete taught me a lot about time management and the importance of being part of a team.  To this day I try to surround myself with teammates with differing skill sets than I have so we complement each other, just like you need on the court.  Both wins and losses are shared, there really is no I in team!

How did you get into your current occupation? While at Moravian I did an internship at OraSure, a small medical device company in south Bethlehem.  Moravian is in a great area with lots of these types of opportunities and I'd encourage everyone to seek them out to get some real-world experience before graduation.   

What was your favorite place on campus? Hahaha, honestly, it was the cafeteria.  My volleyball teammates and I would eat a meal together and then just sit and talk for hours.  I also loved hanging out on the quad in the spring. 

What activities/organizations were you involved in at Moravian College as a student-athlete? I was a member of 26 Points and in AST.  I also worked in the library.

What was your most memorable moment at Moravian? My freshman year we played Juniata at home.  They've been the powerhouse team in our conference for years.  While we lost the match, we took a game off of them.  As a freshman I didn't quite realize how big a deal that was, but over the next 4 years I learned more about their program and realized how huge that really was!

What advice do you have for prospective student-athletes looking to attend Moravian College? Spend some time at Moravian, visit for a weekend, go to a game, talk to the players on the team.  You'll see if it feels right. The friendships and bonds I made playing volleyball at Moravian stay with me today.  Two of my teammates are my best friends to this day, we all still live in the area and our children call themselves brothers and sisters.  Months can go by without talking to other teammates and when we catch up it's like not a day has passed.  I cherish the relationships I made thanks to being part of the team.

What advice do you have for current student-athletes as they approach graduation? Don't rush it!  Enjoy the ride, you don't have to have all the answers right now.  Take time to appreciate your professors, teammates and peers and never stop learning

What is the best piece of advice you've been given? I have 2, couldn't pick just one. Walk a mile in someone else's shoes before you pass judgement.  While you can't control everything around you, you can control how you react to it.

Who are your role models/most influential people? Not sure I can name just one.  I admire anyone who has integrity and the courage to blaze their own path.  I look up to strong, independent women and strive to be a good example of one for all the females in my life.

Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with? My grandfather, Elizabeth Akinwale and Pink

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people. I spent time in Ghana with Peace Corps after graduation, thanks to Dr. Langhus' influence! 

Quick Hits:
Favorite Color – Black
Favorite Food – Cheeseburgers
Favorite Restaurant – White Orchid
Favorite Movie – Dirty Dancing and Usual Suspects
Favorite TV Show – Don't really have one
Favorite Musical Artist – Dave Matthews Band and Metallica
Favorite Athlete – Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
Favorite Pro Team – Eagles
Hobbies – Crossfit, cooking, watching my children's sports
Most Prized Possession – My family
Ideal Travel Destination – Thailand
Your Spirit Animal – Snake
Superpower you'd Like to Have – Invisibility!