In The Nest: Hannah Best Leading The Way On The Court And On Campus
Presented by Medical Mutual
8/30/2023
A captain for the Falcons, Hannah Best has become a leader for BGSU Volleyball and has taken those skills on campus, becoming President of We Are One Team and working towards her MBA.
Q: We will lead off with a non-volleyball question. Did you do anything fun or special this summer?
Best: This summer was busy, but full of special and fun moments. After returning from Europe, I began an internship with Real Good Ventures, a talent optimization firm in Toledo, Ohio. Real Good Ventures uses the behavioral analytics to help organizations, corporations, teams, and leaders to diagnose and solve their people issues. My work with the firm included working with sport teams and organizations. I had an amazing experience working with the BGSU Men’s Soccer team and coaching staff. Additionally, I was selected to attend the 2023 NCAA Career in Sports Forum at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis at the beginning of June. Alongside 200 student-athletes from across the country, I gained insight on numerous career opportunities in sport from the collegiate to professional level in sport, learned about myself, developed as a leader, and made countless professional connections and friends. I also had the privilege to attend the All Rise Live Global Summit in Toledo, Ohio. The purpose of the summit was for women leaders to speak their visions to power. All Rise is rooted in supporting women to RISE and be bold in advocating and speaking up for themselves, then for issues that impact inequities they care about, and to be a champion for those issues in their businesses and communities. To wrap up the summer, I head up north to Traverse City, Michigan with my parents, brother, and sister. Northern Michigan is home to many memories with my family and it was a beautiful end to the summer.
Q: The summer began with volleyball's European Tour. What was that experience like?
Best: Ah. This answer is hard to put into words. What an experience it was. Visiting Germany, Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic was incredible. We ate amazing food and saw some of the most stunning views. We competed against amazing athletes with different techniques. The experience was second to none because we did it together. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity.
Q: What was your favorite part of the trip?
Best: I don’t think favorite is the right word to use, but I am most grateful for our guided tour at Auschwitz-Birkenau. This day was hard. It was an emotional day, but an extremely valuable experience. It is a part of history that is crucial to be taught. Visiting Auschwitz as a team was an experience I will never forget.
Q: Moving into volleyball, when did you start playing volleyball and how did you know that was the sport you wanted to continue playing?
Best: I started playing volleyball around third grade. I played many sports growing up, but volleyball always remained at the top of my list. Going into high school I knew I wanted to dedicate my time to volleyball.
Q: When and how did you first learn about BGSU volleyball?
Best: Bear with me on this one…I grew up right across the street from the University of Toledo and was a Rocket fan. BG wasn’t on the radar for me for me until I reached high school. The first time I saw BGVB play my eyes widened. I knew that BGVB was special. Additionally, my club teammate and very good friend, Kat Mandly saw just what I did and was already committed to BG. Kat was an incredible teammate during our club volleyball years and it’s been absolutely amazing to continue playing together.
Q: What made you decide that you wanted to attend BGSU?
Best: The one-of-a-kind team culture brought me to BGSU. BGVB is home to the most amazing people and I wanted to be surrounded by them. I knew I was going to be pushed to my best in BGVB’s environment and I was exactly right. I love who I am becoming and I am grateful for BGVB’s role in my development as a person, leader, and player.
Q: Being a local athlete, what has it been like playing collegiately so close to home?
Best: Being a local athlete brings so many blessings. It is truly special to feel the energy and support of familiar faces. I am grateful to compete for BGSU and feel the love from my family, my friends, the St. Ursula Academy community, and Toledo Volley Club. Not only am I blessed with an amazing Toledo community, our local BGSU and Findlay fans are incredible.
Q: You have been a leader not only for the team, but in the community at Bowling Green. What all extracurricular activities are you involved with?
Best: Outside of volleyball, I also serve as President of We Are One Team.
Q: Any big plans with We Are One Team this year?
Best: WA1T’s mission is to foster an environment of belonging on BGSU's campus and community. WA1T does this by promoting social justice through sport. This year, WA1T has multiple projects in the works to promote gender equality, religious justice, and racial justice.
Q: You also started in the MBA program here at BGSU. How valuable is it to gain two degrees while playing for the Falcons?
Best: I am so beyond grateful to pursue not only one, but two degrees as a Falcon. Being a student-athlete is no small accomplishment, but I have been supported and pushed to be my best in the classroom. My time playing for the Falcons is coming to a close, but I am excited and confident I am prepared for what is to come next.
Q: What is one of your favorite moments as a Falcon?
Best: Winning two MAC Championships are obvious answers. The feelings of joy, pride, and love in those post win huddles are unmatched. However, those moments would not feel nearly as special without the good practices, bad practices, hard practices, bus rides, training room and locker room shenanigans. These moments take home the win for me. In these moments, our connection is fostered, we’re forged to be better, and we learn the gift of being present in each and every moment. These moments are invaluable.
Q: What are some of the most valuable lessons you can take away from BGSU and BGVB?
Best: Gratitude first and foremost. I have learned the importance of practicing gratitude. There’s so much to be grateful for, especially when your surrounded by the people I am surrounded by every single day. I have also learned the importance of a team and the importance of developing others. As a leader, I have learned that using your voice is a gift. We better each other when we share and we learn as well. I am committed to being a lifelong learner because of my time as a Falcon. Finally, volleyball has taught me the power of impermanence. Just like each set and match eventually comes to an end, so do all things. Because of this, I understand the beauty of being present.
Q: What are your career plans after Bowling Green?
Best: While playing team sports for most of my life, I have developed quite a passion for teams and helping teams find success. I am passionate about finding success through the betterment of others. After completing my MBA, it is my desire to help teams find success and optimize their talents through the use of behavioral analytics and leadership development.
Q: Who inspired or encouraged you the most athletically growing up?
Best: I often referred to my dad, Tim Best, as Coach or Coach Best. From a very young age, my dad was avid on involving my siblings and me in sport. I can recall catching pop flies in the street, running sprints down the block with a parachute behind me, doing box jumps on homemade boxes, and shooting baskets in the back yard. He taught me to be the hardest worker. He served as my coach for multiple sports which I will admit was not always easy having your dad as your coach, but he consistently challenged me to be my best, no pun intended. My dad is the definition of an educator. I am the leader, teammate, and competitor I am today because of him.
Q: Do you have any pre-match superstitions or routines?
Best: I am not a superstitious person and I don’t have a specific routine. However, I enjoy breathing and praying with my team pre-match to ground myself and get ready. Sometimes, just sometimes, the pre-game dance moves break out in the locker room too.
Q: What is your go-to restaurant and/or meal?
Best: My go-to restaurant is the Stubborn Brother in Toledo. The Mancy family holds a special place in my heart and their New York style pizza is the best in Toledo.
Q: What is your favorite spot on campus?
Best: The Stroh Center is most definitely my favorite spot on campus. It is home to so many moments of joy and so many memories.
Q: Describe Coach Tomic in one word…
Best: Educator
