Kyra Rose: Breaking Barriers At Fitchburg State University

Kyra Rose was a four-time Enterprise All-Scholastic and previous three-year captain at Rockland High.

Forging ahead, the freshman guard finished the season 11th in the nation and first in New England amongst all NCAA Division III women's basketball players, averaging 20.8 points per game over the course of the 2016-17 season.

The 5 foot 9 guard has done more than just score enough baskets to attest her place as a starter on the Falcons women's basketball team. What we unravel about Rose, is that she is effortlessly a well-rounded athlete, who can do a little bit of everything on the court; she's a hard-working student, free spirited, and a most charmingly, humble character, a rare ruby to find at the Division III level. 

First year Fitchburg State women's basketball head coach Dan Nagle has no doubts in his words on Kyra, emphasizing in interviews, that yes, she's an astonishing scorer and rebounder but, "most importantly, she's unselfish, she's a great teammate & she wants to get everybody involved and make everyone around her better."

In addition to this, he noted that in his perspective, "that's probably the best thing about her, she's a team first player, and a team oriented player and even with all the awards and accolades she's got on an individual basis, all she really cares about is helping our team win as best as she can, and that really makes her an awesome person to have in your program." 

Rose is certainly executing as a team leader, prospering notably during her first season, recently collecting the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Rookie of the Year to go along with 12 weekly season-awards for both the MASCAC and the Worcester Area College Basketball Association (WACBA).

But, we aren't finished yet…the list goes on, and we can recap her being honored 7 more times combined, by the New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA,) and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) DIII New England Women's Basketball Associations as well.  

Coach Nagle and Rose were a key combination to transform the women's program at Fitchburg State University just one season after finishing 0-25. It's tremendous to see a student-athlete that is conscientious toward the community. For Kyra, that's on the court, in the classroom, and with her future years at FSU. 

With hardly hearing an "I" in an interview and mostly team oriented answers, you most likely won't hear much bragging from Kyra personally herself, so, here's the scoop:  

It's half time of a Men's Basketball game, and you're surrounded by your teammates with headphones plugged into your A1, game day play list. It's a comfortable feeling almost, being completely distracted from the unnecessary. And as you're reading the scouting reports and checking out the personnel on the opposing team, you're hungry, you're motivated, and your only concern is the challenge ahead of you. In reality that would be you, if you were Kyra Rose. 

When you get to know Kyra, you discover that she is so motivated, yet, you could easily mistake this easy-going personality for carelessness or purity of talent. But then, there is no doubt that you would be indefinitely discrediting the logistics of her work ethic. The day to day grind that she commits to her roles and responsibilities is absolutely refreshing, inspiring to many and should not be minimized.  

"She's really different, she doesn't think about it, she's s really nonchalant about things, and before a game, she's really calm, doesn't really need to "prepare" because honestly, she's that kind of player, "said senior captain Shabeli Villa.

Villa, a soon to be post-grad at Fitchburg State University with a degree in Nursing, not only mentioned the enjoyment from playing with Rose but also learning from her – freshman teaching senior. Villa is a determined player and proudly mentioned her thoughts post senior night to close out the year on February 18^th.

"Kyra is a remarkable player with such a high basketball-IQ. If you need her to play the point, Kyra will play point, the 5, she will. I just try my best to lead by example and if I can't perform, she definitely will." Villa shared the competitiveness of Rose and her ability to connect the missing pieces for the Falcons.

Rose was furthermore able to narrate her focus and elaborate her life through academics and once again - to no surprise - the versatility engrained in this girl will move you. Although she is on still testing the waters of a possible major, Rose is leaning toward Criminal Justice with characteristically noble intentions.

Her point of interest is to have a career that allows her to help people and make each day a new experience along with being able to make a difference in all of her encounters. As many of her fans see her mobility on the court, its tough to imagine her being in an office for hours a day with and without a community to grow within.

Not only is the the women's basketball team and coaching staff excited for Rose's future at the university, but the university's fan base has grown accustomed to Kyra leading the Green & Gold.

Students are excited to see the work and leadership that Kyra will continue to bring to the program off the court, and we can surely expect a big return and no slump from Rose in her sophomore year.  

Article Courtesy of the Falcon Report - Shaina Cruel-Reynoso