BOWIE, Md. - Each week during the Fall 2020 semester, Bowie State University Department of Athletics will spotlight one student-athlete or administrator in wake of COVID-19 pandemic that forced CIAA to suspend fall competition until the spring of 2021. This week's spotlight will feature Tamia Byrom—a standout tennis player—from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. 

After graduating from CMIT Academy in West Laurel, Maryland, in 2019, Byrom had her heart set on attending Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, because she wanted to experience being away from home. She also had family down there and liked the environment in Atlanta. However, she ultimately decided to attend Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland, because of the cheaper in-state tuition that would save her money. 

Two years into her college career; it's a decision she is quite proud of. 

"I actually don't mind being close to home now," Byrom said. "And like I said, it definitely saved me a lot of money, so it was a good thing—because I didn't want to be in too much debt when I graduate. And I enjoy the school, too. It's pretty fun and a good environment to be in." 

At first, Byrom planned to attend Bowie State as a regular-student and at least tryout for the Tennis team, a sport she's played since she was 11-years-old, but those plans changed the summer before her freshman year began. 

"I was playing at two different tennis facilities—one in College Park and one at Watkins Park in Kettering, Maryland," Byrom said. "The coach from Bowie State was there, saw me play, and decided to offer me a scholarship." 

In a phone interview, Byrom talked about tennis, her future aspirations, and more. 

What do you love about Tennis? 
It's fun to play for one and being on a tennis team helps with team bonding and working together—and I enjoy that. I also like the traveling part of it: playing at other schools and being in different environments. 

What's challenging about the sport? 
For me, it's learning the other person's strengths and weaknesses because everyone has something that you can target. For me, I feel like my backhand is the weaker stroke to hit. So, for my opponent to see that, they're going to, of course, hit more to my backhand. But when you're trying to pay attention to their weakness, it gets a little tricky. But, other than that, as long as you have your form and all that, then you're good to go. 

How is your relationship with your coach and teammates? 
I like both. My coach is pretty cool, and everybody on the team is very friendly and we have a good bond. We all help each other with what we need to work on, and there's no disrespect or anything. We're just a good, strong team. 

Do you have any family members that play tennis or are you the only one? 
My dad. That's his favorite sport. So, he was the one who influenced it. 

Does he help you with your game? 
Yep. He was my coach for a while, but I have worked with other coaches, too. 

Is he your favorite coach to work with? 
I would say one of them, yes, because he makes it fun. He's not one of those strict types of coaches. While you're learning, you're just playing little mini games and stuff. So, it's fun. 

Who is your favorite tennis player? 
Coco Gauff since she's closer to age and because she's easier to follow than someone as big as Serena Williams. 

Have you played other sports other than tennis? 
Yes, I ran track a little bit in elementary and middle school and I tried playing soccer one year, but I didn't enjoy soccer that much. 

What are you looking to do after college? 
I want to be a child counselor, so I can help children at a young age before their problems arise and cause more problems when they get older. When I was younger, I used to want to be a veterinarian, but then once I took a psychology class in tenth grade and looked at my mom's work while she was getting her doctorate, it just made me want to be a psychologist. 

What made you want to be a veterinarian? 
When I was younger, I used to like animals, and the zoo was my favorite place to go. So, I just thought that that would be the job for me. 

Do you have a favorite animal? 
Yes. My favorite animal is a tiger. 

What do you like about tigers? 
They're just so pretty. I just like the way that their fur is and how they look. 

What do you like about psychology? 
It's just interesting to learn how the human mind works. 

How big is mental health to you then? 
Mental health is very important. It's important to try to be healthy mentally. I feel like that is one main reason why a lot of chaotic things happen because people aren't mentally stable. I want to be one of those people who help them get back to a normal state. 

Why do you think a lot of children have issues mentally? 
The environment they grew up in, bullying that happened in school, family trauma, or things they saw/experienced when they were younger that impacts them in the long run. 

What would you say is the most difficult thing about your major? 
I would say the terms because it's many different words and phrases that mean a lot of different things; like everything is broken down until it can't be anymore. But other than that, I think it's fairly easy. 

How has this global pandemic been affecting you? 
At first, it wasn't fun. It was something I had to get used to because the tennis season had just started and we had our first couple of matches. Then COVID came and stopped everything. So it's like my life was put on pause, but at the same time, it worked out because I was still able to work out and do homework and stuff.  

How has the transition to online instruction been for you? 
It's been pretty good. I'm a commuter, so that saved me a lot of energy going to-and-from school.  

Do you prefer online over in-class instruction? 
No, because sometimes we have group assignments, and it's hard to figure out when everyone is free. And, if we had those same assignments in class, we can just work on it together before class, during the class or after class—because everyone is right there.  

What do you like about Bowie the most? 
I like how it feels like a big family. Everybody talks to everyone. Everyone's friendly. It's not really too cliquish. A lot of people don't stay to themselves. It's just a welcoming environment.