This year I had the incredible opportunity to play behind Maddie Brem. But she is much more than a defender and teammate. Check out this senior spotlight on Maddie Brem, our teammate, sister, and friend. Maddie Brem, a player and leader who stands out in the crowd. Defender, Captain, Teammate, and Friend. Brem, from the moment she became a Sooner, stepped into the role and made an impact, one that will last forever in this program. In her four years here, Brem has totaled 8 goals, one of which being the game winner against North Texas and another game winning against Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament, both in her freshman year. She also as on the team that led the Sooners to their greatest season in 2016, where they made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Named to the First-Team Academic All-Big 12 for three years, the CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team sophomore year, and the CoSIDA Academic All-District Seven Team her junior year, Brem shows excellence both on the field and in the classroom. She is a true leader and exhibits this in everything she does. This year playing behind Brem made me a better player, but she has a way of touching all of those around her whom she plays with. Before I start into Brem’s responses to questions I asked her I advice every athlete to be like Maddie Brem. She is determined, strong-minded, and let’s nothing stand in her way from achieving her goals. She is an ideal athlete and player, and it has been an honor to get to play with her. Brem leaves behind more than just what she has proven on the field. She gives advice for those to come after her, “Keep moving forward. Things aren’t always going to go the way you think they will, but as long as you keep giving and working hard it will pay off, even if it’s not always in the ways you imagined. There will be good days and there will be bad days, but you have to use the good to get you through the bad!” Brem has to be one of the wisest players out there. She has played in almost every game here as a Sooner, and started every single one, SO I advice you listen to her input. This lesson that she leaves behind is vital to success. You can’t dwell on the past or else you’ll be stuck in it. And that goes for both the good and the bad. If you want to succeed you always have to look forward at to what else you can do, because remember there is always room for improvement. Brem has shown this quality in every game, especially this season when things may not have been going as though we had planned. Brem says that “soccer has made me into who I am today, given many of my best friends and so many good memories. Taught me lessons of commitment, hard work, how to be a good teammate, leadership, and how to just get through life! I don’t think I’d be anywhere close to the person I am now had I not chosen to play soccer.” I think that this is an extremely valuable thing we can all learn from Brem. While we learn things on the field, we often can take those lessons and transfer them to our “off the field” lives. Whether it’s in the classroom, friendships, or your life in general, this piece of advice is so important. Brem has been an incredible teammate, leader, and has executed hard work every time she steps on the field. Although Brem will be moving on, she “plan[s] on being back in Norman and catching a game or two! Will definitely keep up with the program and see all the great work y’all do in the future!” She has left an incredible impact on this program, and has set a standard for all. Brem wants to be remembered “For having an impact on this program in a positive way and for being a good teammate, sister, friend like people have been for me. Also, to show that leadership can be done in many different ways and is needed in many different way…you can lead by example and people will still respect you”….and that is EXACTLY how she will, and so much more. Brem has taught me so many lessons in such a short amount of time. Plenty on the field, but even more about those off the field, ranging from leadership to being a good friend to mental strength. BUT even though she is graduating, Brem has some great moments that she loves to remember. Brem says her favorite memory is “Playing under the Friday night lights. My very first game here was the home opener against OSU on a Friday, I had no idea what to expect and just seeing all the fans and how excited everyone got and their reactions to us scoring and winning the game is one of my favorite memories and what got me excited to play every game.” Although, what she says that what she will miss the most is “-having a team environment and all the people I’ve built close relationships with over the years.” The relationship that you build with your teammates is a bond that is special and can’t be replaced by anything else. It is something to cherish for a lifetime. Brem wants to be remembered “For having an impact on this program in a positive way and for being a good teammate, sister, friend like people have been for me. Also, to show that leadership can be done in many different ways and is needed in many different way…you can lead by example and people will still respect you.” And I think it’s very safe to say that this is going to be held true. She is leaving behind high standards and expectations, a leadership role both on and off the field, and last but not least a teammate who touches each individual personally. Thank you for everything you have done Brem! I’m going to miss having you as a teammate on the field, but more importantly as a leader and friend.
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GoalTo keep girls involved in sports for longer Archives
October 2021
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