BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The next alum in the Moravian College Department of Athletics & Recreation's Get to Know Series is former women's track & field student-athlete Brielle Sutter from the Class of 2015. Sutter helped the Greyhounds win four indoor and four outdoor Landmark Conference Championships, and she was an 11-time Landmark champion in relays and individual events. Sutter also competed in the 2013 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.
Brielle Sutter
Class: 2015
How did you choose the sport you played when you were growing up? I first joined track and field when I was in elementary school and absolutely hated it. Running was so tiring and not fun to me. I continued to play other sports at the time like basketball and softball. However, when middle school came around, I figured I would try track and field again. This time around, I enjoyed running and competing in other events like long jump and high jump. I loved it so much I quit all the other sports I was playing and focused solely on track.
Why did you choose to come to Moravian College? When I was first applying for colleges my senior year of high school, I prioritized what was most important to me and what I wanted to focus on going forward. Nursing would be a main focus, I loved track and running and knew I wanted to continue with it, and I also enjoyed volunteering in which there are plenty of opportunities to do so at Moravian. This school had everything I was looking for; Moravian has a top tier nursing program, extracurriculars and clubs, and a very successful and accomplished track program. After visiting the campus, the choice was easy.
What experiences as a student-athlete at Moravian helped prepare you for life after college? Some important qualities you pick up as a student-athlete include teamwork, prioritization, and time management. As a student-athlete, you have a pretty busy schedule, so you need to know how to schedule your classes, practice, and homework to make the most of your day. Whether I was at practice or studying for class, I needed the help of my team or my classmates to help keep me focused, learn a new skill, or make me laugh.
How did you get into your current occupation? When I was in high school, I had taken an anatomy and physiology class and I loved it, so I thought of a making a career in medicine. My grandma was a nurse, who casually brought up that she thought I would be a great nurse while we were talking one day. I did more research into what nursing was and realized it was the right career for me. It was a perfect combination of science and helping people in need.
What was your favorite place on campus? My favorite place on campus is definitely the track. Moravian has that iconic bright blue track when you first drive on to campus. I have so many great memories with my teammates there – the 300M time trials, the warm days of spring track, and running relays with my team. Those are memories I'll never forget.
What activities/organizations were you involved in at Moravian College as a student-athlete? While I was at Moravian, I was involved in Habitat for Humanity where we did lots of fundraising and a Habitat for Humanity build on campus during Homecoming weekend. I was also involved in the Student Nurses Association where we were a part of various volunteering events and fundraiser walks. In addition to Habitat for Humanity and the Student Nurses Association, I was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, as well as held an on-camps work-study position in the mailroom.
What was your most memorable moment at Moravian? My most memorable moment at Moravian was going to the NCAA D3 Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2013 for the 400M dash. It was an honor to run with talented athletes and to be counted among them. I ran my personal best at that race at 56.97 seconds, and it was such an amazing feeling to break that threshold.
What advice do you have for prospective student-athletes looking to attend Moravian College? My advice for prospective student-athletes looking to attend Moravian College is to give your all to what you decide you want to do with your life. Whatever your major is or club or sport you enjoy, put your efforts into that and be the best at it.
What advice do you have for current student-athletes as they approach graduation? Have fun! College gave me some of my favorite memories. I met amazing people and made friendships that will last a lifetime. Moravian gives you a solid education and many experiences to bring with you into your professional career. You are prepared to enter the world and show them the skills and knowledge you have from your time at Moravian.
What is the best piece of advice you've been given? The best advice I've been given is by my parents, they would encourage me to be who I want to be. This advice has allowed me to focus on what traits I value most and what brings me happiness. Once I knew what I wanted to do, putting in the time and effort to be that person was easier and I was happy with my choices.
Who are your role models/most influential people? The most influential people in my life are my parents. They overcame so much to provide my siblings and me the best life possible. My parents love us unconditionally and never let up on supporting us. When I have a bad day or a problem which I need help solving, they let me discuss the situation with them and help me find a solution. I try to take their approach to problem solving and supporting people in my everyday life.
Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with? I would love to share breakfast with both my late great grandparents and my late grandpa. There's still so much I would love to ask them and catch them up on.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people. Most people may not know, but I found my future husband on the Moravian Track and Field team and we're planning to get married this upcoming April!
Quick Hits:
Favorite Color – Pink
Favorite Food – Donuts
Favorite Restaurant – Rum Runner in Sea Bright, NJ
Favorite Movie – Dumb and Dumber
Favorite TV Show – The Real Housewives franchise
Favorite Musical Artist – Lady Gaga
Favorite Athlete – Allyson Felix, Olympic Champion in Track and Field
Favorite Pro Team – NY Giants
Hobbies – Reading, CrossFit, Cooking
Most Prized Possession – Ring from my grandpa
Ideal Travel Destination – the Mediterranean
Your Spirit Animal – Butterfly because I am open to continuous personal growth and transformation
Superpower you'd Like to Have – Ability to control time
