On Tap with ... Brad Howard

Q: Where are you from, and what is it like there?

A: I’m from Northern California, but I’d rather be from Southern California. [North California] is pretty laid-back and people are chill, but I’d still rather be from Southern California.

Q: What was your “welcome to college” moment?

A: Probably having to do my own laundry and clean my own room. I didn’t appreciate how much my mom did for me until then.

Q: What’s the best thing about being an athlete on campus?

A: All the free gear. We don’t get as much as other teams, but I freak out whenever I get a new shirt because it’s more clothes to wear.

Q: What’s the worst thing about being an athlete on campus?

A: The early morning workouts with our new trainer. It’s good for our team, but it sucks because he works the crap out of us.

Q: What’s your role on the volleyball team?

A: I’ve become the self-proclaimed hype man. I’m there to pump everyone up, to sing, hashtag out loud and be loud and obnoxious. I’m there to keep everyone loose and ready to play and have as much fun as possible.

Q: What’s the greatest highlight of your sports career?

A: Winning MVP of a high school tournament junior year. That was when I felt like I was in the zone for the first time, and it was fun to be recognized as the best player in a tournament.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Q: If you didn’t play volleyball, what would you play?

A: Basketball. My dad played basketball in college. If I were any good, I would much rather play that, but it didn’t work out that way.

Q: Who is your quirkiest teammate?

A: Freshman opposite Cody Kessell, because he’s a great athlete and great guy, but senior [setter] Scott Liljestrom and I think he’s a boy trapped in a huge man’s body. He has quirky celebrations and it’s funny to watch.

Q: What’s the weirdest thing that’s happened to you during a match?

A: One time I was playing in freshman year of high school and one of my teammates kicked the ball at the ref because he was so angry and got a red card. I guess that was a “welcome to high school” moment.

Q: How did you start playing volleyball?

A: My mom played in college and for the national team, so she showed me the way and would play pepper with me in the backyard.

Q: Does the team have any odd rituals?

A: After our last match in California we have a celebration where we welcome the freshmen by some fun activities, so those are some rituals. They killed it this year and did a great job.

Q: What’s been your favorite class at Princeton so far?

A: ECO 100: Introduction to Microeconomics, because it was the easiest out of everything I’ve had to take. My freshman year was all physics, chemistry and math, so taking a class I actually wanted to was a great change of pace.

Q: What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod?

A: “Teenage Dream” by the Glee Cast. I rock out to that whenever I’m studying and need a break.

Q: If you were coach for a day, what would you do?

A: I would not have “closet time.” He makes us go in a closet everyday, which is embarrassing for our team morale. We go into the closet to talk about our practice and team, but I’d rather bond in the locker room than in a closet. I would try to have as much fun with it as possible and make everyone laugh.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do besides volleyball?

A: Go to [Tiger Inn] and have an awesome night out with the teammates and everyone else.

Q: If you could be any superhero, which would you pick?

A: Mr. Incredible, because a lot of times I feel like I’m this big guy stuck in cramped areas like him. You know the scene where he’s at the little desk in the insurance company and his pencils fall and he gets all pissed? I feel like that a lot in the Whitman Library. But I want to be like him.