Class of 2022: Josh Sproul

Josh Sproul is a Kinesiology major from Princess Anne, Maryland.

When I took my first step on the Hill, I was: A high school senior excited to begin the next chapter of my life.

The me who will ring the Old Main bell on Commencement Day is: A young man who is grateful for everything McDaniel has done for me, and a young man who is ready to take on the real world.

Real world experiences: I was able to participate in a research project that unfortunately, due to COVID, was not able to actually run. However, I had a lot of fun working with Dr. Richard Laird and Dr. Jenny McKenzie virtually during the summer of 2020. Also, I was able to shadow physical therapists in multiple settings during my time at McDaniel. I would have to say my favorite experience was shadowing at Pivot Physical Therapy, where I had the opportunity to observe an alum work as a PTA on a daily basis. This opportunity was extremely rewarding, and I learned a lot of clinical skills that I will take with me moving forward.

My aha moment: I learned that nobody here is alone. As students and faculty members, we all go through our own personal situations, and it is important to reach out for guidance because we are all here to support each other.

Footprints I’m leaving on the Hill: I want other students in the future to know that it is possible to be a dual-sport collegiate athlete, while maintaining a high GPA. As long as you manage your time effectively, you can be successful in athletics and in the classroom.

Faculty or staff member who most influenced who I have become: Gregg Nibbelink, the head athletic trainer, has most influenced who I have become because he has instilled a level of confidence in me that I never had before. I have learned so much from him that I will take with me as I move on to graduate school.

Best class ever: Exercise Physiology is the best class ever! Science classes and labs can be tough and frustrating at times, but there was never a day that I wasn’t looking forward to showing up to this class!

Took me totally by surprise: During the fall of my senior year, I took a class called West African Drumming Culture. I wasn’t too sure about this class at first, but it ended up being one of the most rewarding classes that I have ever taken.

My favorite spot on campus: The Rebecca L. Martin basketball court is by far my favorite spot on campus. I have made so many memories on this court with my teammates that I am forever grateful for.

Most mind-boggling idea I learned at McDaniel: Throughout my biology courses, I have learned so much about the complexity of the human body that still surprises me to this day. I am just blown away by how detailed and unique our anatomy is, down to the microscopic level.

My capstone title: “The Effects of Core Strength v. Ankle Stability on Explosive Power, Balance & Agility.”

What it’s about in plain talk: Balance, agility, and explosive power are all said to be important components and integral parts of performance to perform functional movements in sport activities. In order to be successful in high level sports, it’s important for athletes to have the proper strength and conditioning. My aim for this study is to examine the importance of strengthening an athlete’s core in comparison to ankle stability when it comes to athletic performance.

Tell us a little about your activities, including sports, during your years at McDaniel: During my four years at McDaniel, I have been an active member of several clubs including the Pre-Health Club and Kinesiology Club. I have also been a member of the men’s basketball and track & field teams here on the Hill.

What’s next: I will be attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program beginning in the fall of 2022.

If you received financial aid, what did that mean for you and your family? I was raised by a single mother, so being able to receive financial aid means so much to my family and I. Words cannot express how thankful I am to have received this financial aid.