Athletics to academics: Mya Hansen leads in hoops and healthcare

Hansen is already helping fellow student-athletes as a representative on Boise State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, or SAAC, and an ambassador for BroncoBOLD, a student-athlete mental health initiative that spreads a message of hope, help and resiliency to the entire campus and greater community.

Hansen doesn't just dabble in these commitments; she gives 100% in everything she does, an attitude she says she learned from her parents growing up in Billings, Montana. And she does it all with a positive attitude and enthusiastic energy - something her coaches and faculty praise.

Experiencing the patient side

Part of Hansen's passion for physical and mental health comes from personal experience. While dealing with knee injuries, she experienced physical and mental struggles.

"The first time I had to be away from basketball for an extended time was when I partially tore my PCL [posterior cruciate ligament, located in the back of the knee]," Hansen said. "That was a very difficult time because I'd never missed that many games. And that's what opened my eyes even more to rehab careers, because I knew what it was like to start from ground zero and try to work my way back to being the player I used to be - both mentally and physically."

Hansen credits her trainers, sport psychologists and coaches for their support in her recovery. She's developed a sense of gratitude for every day she's healthy enough to play the game she loves.

More than an athlete

From head coach Gordy Presnell, sports psychologists and BroncoBOLD, Hansen has learned that it's important to see herself as more than her accomplishments on the court.

"The biggest thing is finding joy in other aspects of your life," Hansen said. "For me that's hanging out with friends, going on walks, finding relaxation techniques. And that's where I think BroncoBOLD has helped too. As I help other people, it has also helped me with those painful pressures."

She spreads this message to other student-athletes by being a BroncoBOLD ambassador and in her work with the SAAC. As a BroncoBOLD ambassador, Hansen travels to high schools to meet with younger athletes and participates in events on campus, such as Chalk the Walk, an initiative where students write positive messages in chalk on the university's sidewalks in honor of National Suicide Prevention Week.

As part of the SAAC, Hansen enjoys helping plan events to build the student-athlete community beyond the silos of their own sports. Events she's proud of include the Welcome Back BBQ, dodgeball tournaments and Best of the Blue, an end-of-the-year awards ceremony where student-athletes share memorable moments from each sport.

"Obviously, our sports can be strenuous," she said. "There can be some tough times. But to have a moment at the end of the year to reflect on all the good that we've experienced, mingle, and just support one another - it's very cool."

A cool, calm, collected leader

Hansen's mature, relationship-oriented communication style draws attention. Presnell praised her ability to connect with others.

"She seeks out kids to bring them into the inner circle of our team. She is an awesome campus recruiter when we have kids here," Presnell said. "She's just a stellar student-athlete. She's a 4.0 student and she's zeroing in on 1,000 points in her career. Her greatest asset really is her ability to communicate and connect, because she commands respect."

Assistant coach Mike Petrino has watched Hansen play basketball since her high school days.

"What stood out to me right away was - here's this freshman out there who was very mature, a very experienced player. She just had this stoic, focused presence," Petrino said. "And it's not just on the athletic field, it's also in the classroom."

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