 One of the greatest pictures in Little League World Series history made her way to Hampton University and now stars as a softball Athlete for the Lady Pirates and is here today to talk with us about her experience at her HBCU Life as an athlete as a college athlete during COVID and everything else Hampton University. Monet Davis joins us today, ma'am It is a great honor to be with you first Tell us how your experience has at Hampton as an athlete has been Within COVID you guys last played a game or at least in terms of Competitive in conference game marks 8th and what has life been like in the last year or so? I Mean it's not really what I expect it Especially you know graduating high school and then expecting like you second just to have the whole four years And then it just be cut short Because the virus is just something that you can you never dream of you would never see So it's been different, but You know, I just gotta take it day by day making sure that I'm safe making sure that you know Once we go back like my body's ready No little injuries because I didn't do anything the entire year that we've been off But I will say when I was there before COVID I definitely had a lot of fun The girls on the team were amazing The girls in my dorm were amazing Classes were good. So I feel like it wasn't for COVID I would still be enjoying the time but the time that I did have there was it was amazing It's tough because you would imagine I think from the outside looking in when Think about students and socialization and all the things that that you're missing just as a kid on a college campus and all the fun But athletes is it's tougher as you mentioned because you year-round have to keep your body in shape You year-round have to be academically sound to remain eligible to play Are those kind of the conversations that you have with coaches with your teammates about how to do that when it's so tough when you More often than not you're off by yourself or at least not with your team and not with your university I Mean for me growing up. I've always played three sports. So year-round. I've just been playing sports So when I'm home, I find little things that you know, I enjoy that'll help me to stay in shape So I'm playing basketball games Even just kicking a soccer ball around like just making sure that I'm using different muscles So it's not really it's not really too hard for me But I do have a lot of baseball teammates Who were home and we would go hit and go field Throw so it's not like I didn't have anyone around me who couldn't do the things that I do at school But it is different, you know, you don't have the coaches there to you know explain things to you Know the show them your swing and have them, you know talk about some issues that you're having So that is different but at the same time baseball is kind of similar to it So I do have people that I can do that with But each coach is different so you can't really can't really judge them Can't really judge them judge every I mean you can't really how can I see? Can't really put one coach against another So from my baseball coach, he's gonna tell me things about my swing That he thinks that I should fix but at the same time he'll like is there anything different like that? Coach Angie's telling you that you should do So those are two two different things so if that happens usually I'll you know Just think back to what we were doing on campus or if I have a question just Text coach Angie and ask her, you know, what what can I do to you know, come a better player? You know, it's interesting. I thought about you a couple weeks ago We we're hearing all of this stuff about athletes who are choosing HBC use right like top tier basketball players football players And I feel like people forgot like Monet Davis did that first a While ago like this was a top tier athlete that chose in HBCU Do you ever think about it like that and like you kind of set this trend? But you don't get that you don't get the glitter for it. You know what I mean? um See I'm a type person like I like to do things, you know quietly Um, so I don't like to be all out there like oh, I did it for us this and that like that's not who I am But like if you're a true sports fan, you know stuff like that. It's not something that should be in the spotlight all the time Like yeah, you see, you know these top basketball recruits talking about HBCU football recruits talking about HBCUs Which is good. Don't get me wrong. I love to see it Um, and I'm happy that it's happening I know so me and my baseball teammates a lot of us put HBCU's and we just were just like well It's one of the best decisions. So I hope they enjoy it as well But all that like I did it first of us It's not I don't that's not me. So I don't try to talk about it. You know, you know, you did it first though So you talked about some of your teammates from from the League World Series team They're at black colleges has the experience been the same like as much as you have enjoyed it Have you gotten the feedback that they've liked it as well? um Yeah, I mean So one of my good friends when he first went he goes to southern university So when he was down there, he was having a time of his life like Just having so much fun and I was just like looking like how are you having this much fun like but like I'm such a homebody like I For a long period of my time like of my life like I didn't really leave my house Like I was always just by my mom like home didn't want to stay in anyone's house So like when I first started going away It was a little hard Just because I wasn't used to being away from you know, my family, but then once I got to college I was like, well, I don't really know anybody like I gotta make new friends And I was like, how is he doing this so easily? And he was just like I he was just like I just go and just have fun Like this is a time that like you don't want to waste And after he said that I'm like, yeah, you're right. You're right. And then to start going out But he's having a great time down there He has another one of our teammates down there and he was saying how so he went to La Salle He was saying how that was like once he went down to southern And he's like the best three days I've had him up like since going to college like My whole time at La Salle. This is way better. And I've only been here for three days. I was like Crazy, like whatever is going on down there. I need some of that, but a few of my teammates go to Dell state They're enjoying it as well um So, I mean everyone's having a good experience and we hear so many, you know things about homecoming and uh Just just events that only acu Alums and students could you know really bond together with so it's amazing here how much fun that they're having and That they're enjoying their college experience When when you're a top tier athlete talk about that college selection process Um, I know that you and your family were intentional about Looking at a variety of different schools. HBC used to be included Um, I know you're very socially conscious and that's part of it But when you're somebody that you know, you know, everyone is looking at you You know that you're talented and that you are a sports commodity How do you kind of drill down to to understand like what is a good fit for me? As you mentioned, you know, there's a certain way that you run in your life. You're kind of in the house I'm cool being there How do you know that or what made hampton feel like it was a fit for your personality and for your talent? so For me when I was looking at colleges, I would just say I wanted to choose a place where you know, I You know just felt comfortable felt like myself and I decided to do softball so late So I was very limited to schools that I could So I would you know accept me um For on the softball team. So we just sent out a bunch of emails everywhere like Basically any college you can you know think about we sent emails There's just to get a response and we got a response from a few of them But a lot of them already had their 2019 class like recruited done signed. So I was like All right, like this would be a lot harder than I thought um, and then buffoon cookman and Han think I back to me And my coach is like my baseball coach has done. He's like, all right. Do your research on these schools like he's like Make sure they have what you want to major in um Check the student body check the roster. Um, you know just go from there and I was like, all right, and uh I did my official visit down at buffoon cookman and I was I always picture myself like can I see myself at at a place and that's not a place I could see myself. So I was like Like this is in me, but I had to take the the visit just so, you know, visualize things like that. Um and then when I uh Went to hemp and it was for a camp at first and it was It was it was fine. It was hot But like I didn't really get a feel for the campus because there was it was like a sunday and no one was out No one's usually out on like a sunday. Um So Talked to the coach and I was like, yeah, like I really enjoyed it all the girls are nice Like the way you guys want things that joy is just like how I was growing up how the coach style was um, and I was like But I would need to you know see like the campus more while it's in class like students like walking on campus Yeah, you see that 12 to 2 Yeah, you like you got to see things like that. So, um, we went down during homecoming. It was me my mom my stepdad And homecoming is just so so different than what people would expect. So I was like got down there. There's so many alumni there um current students kids from other schools adults from all over um, so when I got down there and met a few people um And it was just like everyone's just so welcoming like I was like, this is something that I want You know someone like people to make me feel like I'm at home when I step on campus And the team was just they're very family oriented. So I was like, yeah, that's something else that I want Um, and then I also picture myself like I'm not playing softball when I still be at this school That's something that I always think about And I was like, yeah, I mean Hampton has everything that I that checked off my box, especially journalism with the Scripps Howard School So, um, it just had everything and it felt comfortably felt comfortable on campus. It's Like a five and a half hour drive. So if I ever need anything like anything my mom could always come down Um had a lot of family friends around as well Um, so I felt pretty safe there. I felt like if I ever need anything I had people that can call So it was one of those things like once I checked off my boxes that I went into school. It was like That's the choice for me What was the transition like from Philly to Hampton? Um, Philly is a much different city Um, and just from my experience, you know being at Morgan Philly people love Philly To not talk about it not be around it not be there and for you as an athlete That's a little bit tougher because you kind of gotta be there You gotta be at Hampton to do what you need to do Was that a tough adjustment? Or was it relatively easy because of all the good things that you encountered on some of your visits early on? Um, I wouldn't say it was too tough. Um, just because so I moved out to new jersey I'm like middle school. So like I knew Um What it's like to be in the city and to be out of the city. Um But you know Philly, there's just so much to do like you just walk downtown and there's just so many people out Like you can go to Bowland alley that's downtown like there's just so much to do but in Hampton It's like that's not how it's like everything is like pretty far. You got to drive places. There's not like Yeah, there's not like a like a sports team nearby where you can just go to a game Um, so that was different for me. But other than that I'm I like to you know, I really like to Enjoy like the presence of friends. So like making memories with friends just having a good laugh Um, like that's something that I talked about with my friends now when we talk about college like just all the laughs that we have um But like just not being able to know like walk somewhere and be in the city Like that was that was a big challenge. But you know one side, you know got my good people friends and It didn't really bother me that much To to look at Hampton as one of the nation's top HBCUs and look at the student body as being very outspoken on a lot of what's going on in society today Have you have you Taken or embraced opportunities to to lend your voice to that conversation as you know We look to athletes a lot to to use their platform And use their you know the notion that they've traveled and been many places and seen a lot of things So when you guys speak we kind of look at it like okay They're no they're on to something and they're and they're trying to promote something Is that something you feel compelled to do because of your hbc experience? Has it always been in you? As the as college changed your view of it at all um I mean it's not something that I feel like I have to do I know Like whenever we talk about things that are going on in classes um, I usually just sit and listen at first because a lot of those uh No, everyone's from all over the place. So especially in like my Sports journalism class. I usually just sit and listen on those guys in the class are just they're older than me But that doesn't really change anything in my mind I like to just listen and see what they're saying and then go off of what they're saying they kind of know See if I can relate and if I agree, you know Disagree or if I disagree like disagree with them and see how they go off of that. Um, so I feel like with that it's just basically just You know getting a better knowledge of everything like asking questions and just you know getting the Getting everyone's opinions on it. Like I feel like I'm the type person I just like to like to sit back and watch first before I do anything um So, I mean, I don't feel like I have to speak about anything If I something that I'm passionate about that I think people need to hear. I let my voice be heard. Um But I I definitely do enjoy hearing other people Talk and other people like just hear their opinions. So that's something that I truly enjoy And then what do you what does life look like after hampton for you? I know it's very early on in your career. Um, but you're you're a very thoughtful thoughtful lady And I know you think about okay. What's the plan look like now? um In journalism and career in life. Where do you think you you want to go and how do you think hampton will help you to get there? I mean, I'll be honest from like from just being like sitting in the house Wait just from sitting in the house. Um, it allowed me to really think a lot and I mean feel like Just sitting and you know, not really having anything to do You know, I've had these dreams before of like, oh, I want to have like a tv show I want to do this do that but Once, you know, I just think into myself like I feel like that's something I do want to do But that's not something I want to do right away. Um, so I'm not really sure when I want to do right away Um, but I do know like down the future in my life. Like I want to coach some Do you want to have the tv show? So I just want to do everything. I got I can I'm a person that I always have to be active like always have to be active always have to be doing something I can't sit for too long or I'll get bored. Like I just always try to do something. Um, So I feel like that's going to be me in the future. Like I'm going to Want to do one thing but I'm going to want to do something else at the same time So right now I'm just I'm not going to say I like this is what I want to do Just because I know it's going to change Um, so I'm just really keeping my options open and just having in a free mind, you know, just Whatever happens in the future. That's what happens. But at the same time, I'm just going to keep, you know You know just expanding like my arsenal of of what I can do and not set myself to a certain standard and limit um So as amount is just whatever I'm thinking at the time. I see what I want to do All right, just a few questions now relative to to your hand experience and you a couple years ago you were like On everybody's mind And you're still a celebrity, but do you miss the time when you were on everybody's mind? ESPN Good morning America. Do you ever miss being in front of Kevin because you because you strike me as like You're so quiet. Like I can take it to leave it. But do you ever see the green light? Dang I wish I was on ESPN right now Not really. I mean It happened at such a young age that like I felt like it was just like I wouldn't say traumatizing is the word but like it was just too much It was too much especially at that young of an age. Um, and no one You can't get prepared for stuff like that. So like it's hard to Have you know people's attention at that age and it's like it's just not something that you would want a 30 year old to go through um But no, I don't wish I was I don't wish I was like Still in the spotlight as they say, um I mean, I see I see everything like on twitter instagram I even go on tiktok like I see everything and a lot of those You know kids that are in the spotlight at such a young age like It's not good for their mental health. Um And that's something that i'm big on like making sure like mentally that i'm good making sure that i'm No, enjoying what i'm doing enjoying, you know, just spending time with people. Um, so as of now i'm like, no I wouldn't want that but like before it was I was just like a i don't really care type of person. So it didn't really bother me, but it's looking back. It's like something that like Probably make sure like that. I was like mentally um, you like healthy, um And just really doing things that I wanted to do and not feel like That was just pushed into the spotlight and just doing whatever people wanted me to do But no, I don't really wish I was there especially like now with like the cancel culture and stuff like You do you say something that people don't enjoy and Next you know, you're canceled because you don't have the same. Yeah, you don't have the same opinion So I I I don't want to do that right now. I hear that. Um You mentioned southern is there hbc campus that you've been to that you say, you know what? Outside of hampton. This is my favorite campus um, I've only been to Bethune cookman in del state. Okay. Um, so I mean out of those two. I really enjoyed del state just because I feel like I know You know people there. Yeah. Yeah. Um, but I mean no, I've been to North Carolina and t but that was just for softball games. I didn't really get to see the campus and I'm driven. I'm driven. I've been in norfolk too. Um Let's get right down the street Yeah, um Probably probably del state just because I have friends up there and I spent more time there. Um but it's There a lot of them are very nice in in their own ways. Um But I feel like I can't go to a too big of a campus where I'll get lost like I struggled my first Week and a half. I struggled at hampton trying to find my classes. Um But you know, they're all they're all great. They're all great and I hope that's people that go there. They enjoy how great the campus is Is there a school that even just a year and a half in at this point where you say, you know what? I got love for all hbcs, but when we play I really want to beat the breaks off y'all And you better not say how No, no I mean really just anybody um You're gonna beat them all Yeah, you that's that's like the mentality that I have is just going into every game like We're gonna destroy you like basically you shouldn't be on the field with us. Um But like when we beat uh del state last year, um I had to let my friend know Yeah, let him know like listen we beat y'all like don't talk don't talk to me about it. Um but Yeah, really he's just like Whoever steps on the field like you're gonna get the same treatment that everyone else gets no matter Who's on your team what team like where you where you're from if I know anybody Everyone gets the same treatment, right? And then just a final question and again, we appreciate your time if there's one thing that you could tell um Anybody not just a top flight athlete like you but anybody who's really trying to consider an hbc when it's really thinking about it What's the top advice that you would say? You know you said do your research obviously, but is there a part of that research that that that weighs heavier for you? Um, would you say your family should be a big part of it? What's the number one thing that you would tell somebody to to to really look for when choosing a school? Um, I would say if you're an athlete, um Even if it's a pwi or even a hbcu Especially a pwi look at the roster And see if you see anyone that's your height Uh Like around your area The same race as you look at that like that plays a big factor because if you try to go to a school and there's only one black kid on the team like You gotta you gotta think about your like what you're gonna do like if you can really you know play with this team, um So that's one thing I really really tell people to look at like check the roster out um Picture yourself on campus as if you were a regular student and not an athlete and try not to think about these big name schools Um, because if you're good enough these scouts and these teams will find you no matter what school you go to um, so don't try to go to a big school because Oh, they have they had this many people go to the nba or to the league or whatever. Um But really really think about you know If this school can make you become a better person not just player, but a better person um That's like one one of the biggest things I always you know tell friends that are younger like Is this school going to make you a better person and not just a better player? And um, I think that hopefully that sticks with them because You want to be the best person you can be And if you're the best person you can be then you could be the best player You can be that that'll just follow right after