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Check out her recent conversation with The Enterprise of Brockton.
Student-Athlete Kayla Raymond ’22 Reaches 1,000 Career Points
The senior forward talks playing hoops, balancing school with sports and making a difference.
Senior Forward Kayla Raymond '22
While most people like to spend their Saturdays relaxing, Kayla Raymond ’22 of Easton, Massachusetts, prefers to stay busy helping lead her team to glory.
During a February 5 game against Saint Anselm College, the senior forward became the 33rd player in Stonehill women’s basketball history to notch 1,000 career points. Two days later, Raymond was named the Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Week in women’s basketball for the second time during the 2021 to 2022 season.
As the Oliver Ames High School graduate continues working hard to ensure she and her teammates finish out the season on a high note, we chat about playing hoops, balancing school with sports and making a difference.
Kayla Raymond's teammates celebrate the senior forward following their February 5 game against Saint Anselm College.
You recently became the 33rd player in the history of the Stonehill Women’s Basketball program to net 1,000 career points. What does achieving this milestone mean to you?
Reaching this point in my career means a lot to me, especially being one of only 33 women to have reached this milestone. I have worked my whole life to get to where I am today, but I couldn’t have achieved this without my family, teammates and coaches. They push me to be better every day. I’m proud of myself and I truly owe it to everyone who has supported me.
You grew up in Easton and attended Oliver Ames High School. What led you to attend Stonehill College?
There were many factors that came into play when choosing Stonehill. I grew up around this campus my whole life. I remember going on a campus tour and already knowing my way around. Growing up only 10 minutes down the street, it doesn’t feel like I’m that close to home when I’m on campus. It’s almost like a different world. The environment, the reputation of the school and the basketball program really made me feel like this would be my home for the next four years. The coaches and women on the team made me feel like one of them.
The environment, the reputation of the school and the basketball program really made me feel like this would be my home for the next four years.
You are part of the Athletic Task Force Against Racial Injustice. Can you tell me a bit about this group? How and why did you get involved with their work?
The task force is made up of student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff. I joined the task force when it was first formed in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter movement. I chose to get involved because I didn’t want to be silent during a time in which the Black community had to fight to be heard. Racism or discrimination of any kind is unacceptable, and it always has been. To make change happen, we need to have difficult conversations with each other, be more open-minded and educate ourselves on topics that matter in our communities. The task force meets to discuss many problems associated with systemic and institutional racism, not just in our Stonehill community, but throughout our country. We have helped educate the community about racial injustice by posting on social media, facilitating panel events, inviting guest speakers and encouraging discussions. Change must start somewhere. The task force is always looking for new student-athletes to join.
Part of being a superstar athlete is being a superstar in the classroom. Do you have advice for students who are balancing sports and school?
The biggest piece of advice I can give to student-athletes is related to time management. Athletes balance busy schedules, whether they are going to school, working jobs, or enjoying their social lives. It helps to plan out your days in advance and write things down when needed. This is an essential skill, and it helps you to stay organized and on top of your work.
You are studying criminology and communication at Stonehill. What do you hope to do after you graduate? Has playing basketball taught you any lessons that might come in useful as you pursue a career?
After I graduate, I hope to further my basketball career at a higher level, though I’m not sure what that’s going to look like yet. I’m not too sure what exactly I want to do career-wise. Basketball has allowed me to learn many skills related to time management, communication, leadership and so much more that I will carry over into whatever path I choose.