By Jeremy Brown
What causes one of the highest-rated outside hitters from the state of Arizona to come to Southern Virginia University?
Jaren Brown, an undeclared freshman from Mesa, Arizona (class of ‘27), chose Southern Virginia University (SVU) over many other offers he received.
“The community I felt on my recruiting visit” was at the top of his reasons for choosing SVU, “but solid athletics definitely played a role.”
Jaren is a four-time all-region team member, two-time offensive player of the year, and the region’s most valuable player. Jaren is a great addition to the men’s volleyball team. Christian Sheaffer, the All-American outside hitter from last year, had this to say about the freshman;
“He’s special, I’m super excited to see him contribute this year.”
Jaren’s hopes are high to help his team win a conference and national championship while here at SVU.
A new member of SVU’s Men’s Chorus, his love of music also played a role in picking SVU. A grand addition to the bass section, Jaren’s musical heritage stretches back to the times of the pioneers crossing the plans and beyond. Jaren has been forced to find ways to balance extracurricular activities with his academics but is beyond excited to be a part of this amazing group.
Jaren enjoys the social aspects of the school, especially the dance, a bubble bash that Student Life put together at the start of school, and the carnival, where he won a stuffed unicorn. He attends all the different sports games for SVU when he’s not in practice. He has made friends with athletes from all across campus and loves supporting them at their games.
Another large reason for Jaren choosing SVU was the church-centered atmosphere. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he attends Church on Sundays with many of his classmates and loves the sweet spirit felt here on our campus. He plans on serving a mission for the Church after this year.
Jaren trends towards all different types of music but has recently been listening to a lot of Luke Bryan. He loves watching sports and enjoys any Star Wars media and playing Fortnite with his buddies. (If you enjoy these things as well, he is single, ladies.)
His new volleyball teammates describe Jaren as energetic, funny, and soft-spoken. You can find him at the sporting events across campus, in the library studying, or at the river with his friends.
Jaren is just one piece of the puzzle that makes Southern Virginia the place we all know and love, the family we have tucked away in the mountains.
The Next Piece: Jaren Brown was originally published in The Herald on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.