Get to Know: Brianna Allen
The talented administrators, coaches and staff working at our member institutions help to make the Empire 8 Conference successful. And the Get to Know Feature is a way for fans to get a better idea of who these individuals are.
Brianna Allen is the head softball coach and marketing coordinator at Houghton College.
Where did you attend college? I did my undergraduate in sport management at Niagara University and received my masters in business administration from Alfred University.
What made you choose to attend Niagara and Alfred? I played softball at Niagara and it was part of the reason I chose to go there. And they had a strong sport management program that encouraged athletes to be successful. It is also in a beautiful location being so close to Niagara Falls.
I chose Alfred because it was a great opportunity to earn my degree and gain coaching experience.
How long have you been at Houghton? I have been at Houghton for just over a year and half.
What is the best thing about Houghton? All of the students are involved in a variety of different activities. And the faculty and staff are supportive of the student interests.
What is the first word that comes to mind when you hear ‘Houghton’? Community
Who has been the most influential person during your career? Gino Olivieri, former Alfred coach, taught me I could do anything I wanted to do and love it. I didn’t want to be somewhere that I wasn’t truly loving because I knew I wouldn’t be passionate about it. And Gino always had that passion in him and some of that rubbed off on me.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to run, play with my dogs and visit my family.
Top three things on your bucket list?
I’d like to travel to Ireland, climb all 46 high peaks in New York State and drive across the country.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I’d like to get into roller derby.
Rapid Fire questions
Favorite food: Peanut Butter
Favorite Band/Musician: Sam Hunt
Favorite TV show: Fixer Upper
Favorite Movie: Miracle
Favorite Book: Wicked
Favorite Place to visit: Lake George
One thing you can’t live without: Coffee
Pet Peeve: When people scrap their teeth on their fork.