BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The next alum in the Moravian College Department of Athletics & Recreation's Get to Know Series is former men's track & field student-athlete Ozzie Brown from the Class of 2010. Brown won the 2008 NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championship in the decathlon, and he was the 2008 NCAA DIII Indoor National Champion in the long jump. Brown, who was selected to the Moravian Hall of Fame this past summer and is currently the Head Track & Field Coach at McDaniel College, was a four-time All-American for the Greyhounds and a 30-time conference individual and relay champion including 13 titles in one year competing in the Landmark Conference.
Ozzie Brown
Class: 2010
How did you choose the sport you played when you were growing up? It started with my sister running club track and my mom chasing me around in the stands during her practice when I was 5 years old. The coach asked if they wanted me to expend some energy on the track and my mom happily said yes. And the rest is history!
Why did you choose to come to Moravian College? Coach Douglas Pollard hands down. I was recruited by a few other schools, but none had a coach who cared like Coach P did.
What experiences as a student-athlete at Moravian helped prepare you for life after college? Multitasking skills, networking and my personality all greatly improved at Moravian. Especially as a Decathlete and having to balance classes as well as all the practices.
How did you get into your current occupation? I'm a Track and Field coach so I guess Moravian played a big role in that!
What was your favorite place on campus? I'd have to say the HUB. We used to play games outside the Cafeteria all the time!
What activities/organizations were you involved in at Moravian College as a student-athlete? Track and Field took up most of my time, but I was also a leader of our Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.
What was your most memorable moment at Moravian? Too many to count! But my top three would have to be as follows; 1) Coach P's passing. Definitely one of the toughest times at Moravian but the team became so much closer after. 2) When we won the inaugural Landmark Conference Championships both indoors and outdoors. For three years, we were hunting for a conference title and finally winning was awesome in our last year. 3) Has to be my Decathlon National Championship. Although I won indoor LJ, the Decathlon was the one I really wanted to win for Coach P.
What advice do you have for prospective student-athletes looking to attend Moravian College? I'll say what I tell all of my PSAs that I myself recruit. Make sure the school is the right fit for you and vice versa. You will be learning and growing for the next four years and you want your school to be a place to nurture your growth!
What advice do you have for current student-athletes as they approach graduation? Enjoy making the memories and keep in contact with as many friends as you can! Some of my best friends are from college!
What is the best piece of advice you've been given? It's better to ask for forgiveness than for permission ~Coach P
Who are your role models/most influential people? Coach P for sure! Then I have to say my Father would be my other role model.
Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with? My Paternal Grandfather who passed before I was born, Mike Tyson, and Barack Obama
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people. My sophomore year in high school I was 5'4" 115 lbs.! Much different from the 6'2" 190 lbs. my senior year in college!
Quick Hits:
Favorite Color – Green
Favorite Food – Wings
Favorite Restaurant – Maryland Mallet (local Maryland Crab spot!)
Favorite Movie – Friday
Favorite Musical Artist – The Weeknd
Favorite Athlete – Lebron James
Favorite Pro Team – N/A (I'm a Track guy!)
Hobbies – Reading and playing video games
Most Prized Possession – My grandfather's chain that was gifted to me when he passed.
Ideal Travel Destination – Japan
Your Spirit Animal – Husky
Superpower you'd Like to Have – Toss-up between super speed and Teleportation
