George Washington University Athletics
Beyond the Buff and Blue: Brooke Feldman
5/6/2019 2:02:00 PM | General, Women's Squash, My GW: Celebrating our Stories
Squash senior's constant commitment boosted the Colonials
Sprawled out on a trainer's table, Brooke Feldman could barely move.
Searing back pain had put a damper on Feldman's season finale match at CSA Teams Nationals in February 2016. She made it through a five-game marathon vs. Brown's Hannah Safford, but barely, before the injury overwhelmed her.
Looking back, Feldman points to one of her lowest days in Buff and Blue as a eureka moment. A nightmare ordeal turned into a cherished memory because of the way the rest of the Colonials supported her, doing whatever they could to lift her spirits and make her more comfortable on the four-hour van ride home from Princeton.
"Healthy or not, they were there," Feldman said. "It was a moment when I stepped back and realized how lucky I was to have them there for me."
Closing in on graduation, Feldman's passionate commitment to the team stands out.
After months of rehabilitation to combat herniated discs in her back, Feldman was able to return to the court. The New Jersey native had to work diligently to stay there over the past two years, persevering through the aches and pains with a dedicated stretching regimen and a major assist from athletic trainer Chris Duncan.
Along the way, Feldman emerged as a model Colonial, excelling as a student, athlete and leader to boost a program cemented in the top half of the national rankings.
"She's really a coach's dream," said head coach Wendy Lawrence, who is set to retire after 12 years in Foggy Bottom. "She exemplifies a kid who just loves her school and loves her teammates. All these magical little things have clicked for her, but it's not without a lot of hard work."
Feldman has known Lawrence since she was nine years old. Her older brother Brett was the coach's first recruit as leader of the men's program.
Lawrence grins remembering her first impression of little Brooke, who took center stage at a team dinner after a match in Philadelphia to belt out a tune from the musical Annie.
Years later, Feldman opted to put aside a budding career in musical theater to get serious about squash. She entered the college recruiting process unsure if she wanted to continue in the sport until Lawrence entered the picture with an offer to join the Colonials.
(It's a delightful full circle moment for her family that she was a captain for the coach's final season at GW.)
"Wendy was always this constant figure in my brother's life that I wanted in my own," Feldman said. "When I knew that I was playing for her, I knew I would love the sport again. And I did."
Feldman credits the family atmosphere Lawrence has created with fueling her success.
In high school, Feldman started feeling burnt out after years of practicing and competing solo. The team dynamic renewed her passion for the sport.
She's long made it her mission to be the team's most enthusiastic supporter, positioned right up against the glass cheering on her teammates.
"Anything to let them know that they're not alone on that court," Feldman said. "That was the big thing: I wanted my team to know they have their support system behind them all the way no matter what."
Pushing through her injury, Feldman found success collecting 26 career wins and rising as high as No. 5 on GW's ladder.
She was at her best as a junior, piling up 10 wins to help the Colonials finish 14th in the nation. Her veteran leadership was paramount this season as the Buff and Blue battled through a string of injuries that left them short-handed to secure a No. 15 season-ending ranking.
"It's been incredible seeing how the team dynamic developed from year to year," Feldman said. "By my senior year, it was the strongest, most cohesive team I've ever had. For that, I'm going to be forever grateful."
In the classroom, Feldman shined, posting a 3.90 GPA in spite of a demanding courseload. She's earned a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication while also maintaining a pre-med track.
She plans to take the MCAT exam this summer to leave her medical school options open, but in the interim, she's moving to New York to pursue her interests in musical theater and writing.
"Storytelling's my passion," said Feldman, who trained in a Broadway theater last summer. "I'm going to find a way that I love to do it, whether it's being on stage or through writing and shining a light on other people's stories."
Regardless of what's ahead, Feldman is grateful that these four years in Buff and Blue are a part of her story.
"I know I wasn't the best squash player to come through this GW squash program – that's for sure – but I hope to be remembered as a team player who always pushed everyone to be the best versions of themselves, on and off the court," Feldman said. "I wanted to be someone who was there for her teammates, no matter what they were going through. It was really important to me to be someone who brought a positive mindset and a positive energy to the team and to whoever I encountered here at GW."
Searing back pain had put a damper on Feldman's season finale match at CSA Teams Nationals in February 2016. She made it through a five-game marathon vs. Brown's Hannah Safford, but barely, before the injury overwhelmed her.
Looking back, Feldman points to one of her lowest days in Buff and Blue as a eureka moment. A nightmare ordeal turned into a cherished memory because of the way the rest of the Colonials supported her, doing whatever they could to lift her spirits and make her more comfortable on the four-hour van ride home from Princeton.
"Healthy or not, they were there," Feldman said. "It was a moment when I stepped back and realized how lucky I was to have them there for me."
Closing in on graduation, Feldman's passionate commitment to the team stands out.
After months of rehabilitation to combat herniated discs in her back, Feldman was able to return to the court. The New Jersey native had to work diligently to stay there over the past two years, persevering through the aches and pains with a dedicated stretching regimen and a major assist from athletic trainer Chris Duncan.
Along the way, Feldman emerged as a model Colonial, excelling as a student, athlete and leader to boost a program cemented in the top half of the national rankings.
"She's really a coach's dream," said head coach Wendy Lawrence, who is set to retire after 12 years in Foggy Bottom. "She exemplifies a kid who just loves her school and loves her teammates. All these magical little things have clicked for her, but it's not without a lot of hard work."
Feldman has known Lawrence since she was nine years old. Her older brother Brett was the coach's first recruit as leader of the men's program.
Lawrence grins remembering her first impression of little Brooke, who took center stage at a team dinner after a match in Philadelphia to belt out a tune from the musical Annie.
Years later, Feldman opted to put aside a budding career in musical theater to get serious about squash. She entered the college recruiting process unsure if she wanted to continue in the sport until Lawrence entered the picture with an offer to join the Colonials.
(It's a delightful full circle moment for her family that she was a captain for the coach's final season at GW.)
"Wendy was always this constant figure in my brother's life that I wanted in my own," Feldman said. "When I knew that I was playing for her, I knew I would love the sport again. And I did."
Feldman credits the family atmosphere Lawrence has created with fueling her success.
In high school, Feldman started feeling burnt out after years of practicing and competing solo. The team dynamic renewed her passion for the sport.
She's long made it her mission to be the team's most enthusiastic supporter, positioned right up against the glass cheering on her teammates.
"Anything to let them know that they're not alone on that court," Feldman said. "That was the big thing: I wanted my team to know they have their support system behind them all the way no matter what."
Pushing through her injury, Feldman found success collecting 26 career wins and rising as high as No. 5 on GW's ladder.
She was at her best as a junior, piling up 10 wins to help the Colonials finish 14th in the nation. Her veteran leadership was paramount this season as the Buff and Blue battled through a string of injuries that left them short-handed to secure a No. 15 season-ending ranking.
"It's been incredible seeing how the team dynamic developed from year to year," Feldman said. "By my senior year, it was the strongest, most cohesive team I've ever had. For that, I'm going to be forever grateful."
In the classroom, Feldman shined, posting a 3.90 GPA in spite of a demanding courseload. She's earned a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication while also maintaining a pre-med track.
She plans to take the MCAT exam this summer to leave her medical school options open, but in the interim, she's moving to New York to pursue her interests in musical theater and writing.
"Storytelling's my passion," said Feldman, who trained in a Broadway theater last summer. "I'm going to find a way that I love to do it, whether it's being on stage or through writing and shining a light on other people's stories."
Regardless of what's ahead, Feldman is grateful that these four years in Buff and Blue are a part of her story.
"I know I wasn't the best squash player to come through this GW squash program – that's for sure – but I hope to be remembered as a team player who always pushed everyone to be the best versions of themselves, on and off the court," Feldman said. "I wanted to be someone who was there for her teammates, no matter what they were going through. It was really important to me to be someone who brought a positive mindset and a positive energy to the team and to whoever I encountered here at GW."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Squash
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