Southeast Missouri State’s Hull is missing his senior season due to the pandemic, but he still has a future in athletics
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (BVM) — A wise storyteller once said, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Brayden Hull is missing his senior season of football with Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), but he has gained invaluable experience from being part of the team. Like a true athlete, Hull is willing to sacrifice for the well-being of his teammates.
“When I saw COVID numbers starting to increase again I knew it wasn’t good for us,“ Hull said. “At the end of the day, I’m completely fine sitting out my senior year if it means everyone on my team is going to be safe and healthy.”
The Redhawks came back to campus at the beginning of July and despite their efforts to keep everyone healthy, ended up suspending camp the second day out of concern for the players. The Ohio Valley Conference canceled the conference season, and SEMO decided not to pursue any out of conference games.
Hull had the option to wait and play in the spring, but he already has an internship lined up second semester. As a student studying health management and exercise science, Hull will be interning with SEMO Strength and Conditioning. He has always wanted to work with athletes in some way or form. He plans to pursue a graduate assistant position with a college strength program after graduation and hopes to someday be head strength and conditioning coach at a Division I school.
“I’m super excited to be working with athletes again even if I’m not playing,” Hull said. “I will be working with my teammates and other sports teams on campus.”
As for the experience of playing, Hull had sentimental reasons for joining the SEMO team as a running back.
“My dad played football at Southeast Missouri State in the early ‘90s,” Hull said. “My mom attended college there too…it has meant the world to me and it makes me smile to see them both happy about my accomplishments here.”
Hull also has bragging rights over his father, as the current team has accomplished much in recent years. When Hull joined the football program, they were a 3-8 team. Since then, they have been nationally ranked two years in a row, had a playoff win and an OVC Championship win. These victories are partially a result of a winning motto.
The team believes in doing things “brick-by-brick”, doing common things with uncommon attitude, effort, self-discipline and love over time. Hull’s coaches also taught the players to use the equation E+R=O, event + reaction = outcome. They cannot control that the pandemic took away their season, but they can control their reaction which can make the outcome more positive.
“It doesn’t just take 22 people to win a conference title, it takes the whole team,” Hull said. “No matter how small, we all have a part in it. For me, it was running the opponent’s offense for our defense to practice. Did it hurt at times, yes, but it didn’t matter because every day I was doing what I loved – playing football.”
Hull’s best memory at SEMO was his first touchdown against West Virginia State. People doubted his college decision and he received criticism for joining a Division I team.
“I was told I’d never see playing time, let alone a touchdown,” Hull said. “It was a heart-warming moment for me.”
His SEMO teammates are like family and they celebrated the moment as much, if not more, than Hull.
Ultimately, Hull loves playing football and wants to make a career out of helping other athletes find their strengths and enjoy the experience. He appreciates being part of something bigger than himself and will take that attitude into the strength room and out on the field with future athletes.
“If I can attack each day brick-by-brick I don’t see how I can fail in life,” Hull said.
Hull is making the most of a negative situation. His resilient attitude will help him as he trains future athletes, and he can continue to do what he loves – be part of a team that aspires to be better, stronger, and bring home wins at the collegiate level.
