Alumni Spotlights are Q&A's with former Brandeis student-athletes, across a myriad of disciplines, as they reflect on their Brandeis experience and how it has shaped their lives today. Read more spotlight features here.
Name: Harold Small '74
Sports: Men's Track and Field
Current job: Retired social studies teacher
BIO
A New York City native, Harold Small came to Brandeis after two years at the New York City of College of Technology. As a Judge, he became one of the first members of legendary coach Norm Levine's track and field squads to earn All-America honors. In the University's pre-Division III era, he finished third at the NCAA championships in the 880-yard run as a junior and was part of Brandeis's first All-American relay team in the two-mile relay as a senior. While he was on the team, Brandeis won 24 straight tri-meets.
Small graduated from Brandeis magna cum laude with honors in 1974 with degrees in American History and African and Afro-American Studies while completing the education program as well. He returned to New York to receive his Master's from NYU in 1978. Though he spent the first 20 years of his career working for Chemical Bank, rising to Assistant Vice President, Small transitioned to education in 1994, working for the New York City Department of Education as a social studies teacher, coach, consultant and trainer. He retired in 2018 and has been volunteering with CentsAbility, a non-profit organization that promotes financial literacy for children in school and community groups in New York.
Harold Small will be one of six Judges inducted into the Brandeis Athletics Hall of Fame during
Homecoming on September 28th.
Registration for the Hall of Fame is open now!
Q: What attracted you to Brandeis in the first place?
A. The primary reason for attending Brandeis is because of its outstanding American History and African-American Studies programs among academic institutions in the Northeast.
Q: Describe your overall experience as a student-athlete. What does it mean to you now/what did it mean to you while you were an undergraduate?
I enjoyed my studies at Brandeis, being able to interact academically with many prominent professors and receiving athletic support from my coaches Norm Levine and Chris Lane.
My experience with my teammates helped me to be a better student and athlete and assisted in shaping part of my character.
Q: Do you have any advice for current or future Brandeis Student-Athletes?
For those future students looking to enroll in Brandeis, my advice is to remember your priorities by seeking to excel academically and as an athlete your role will be fulfilling. You don't have to be the best, but you must be willing to give your all in competing.
Q: Do you keep in touch with any of your former Brandeis teammates? How?
Although it has been some years since I have reached out to my former team members, I make an effort to communicate with them through cell phone and email.
Q: What was Brandeis like in the 1970s?
The climate at Brandeis seemed to promote independence among students and encouragement for students to seek higher academic and professional goals at other universities and professional schools.
In addition, students became involved with organizations that helped some underprivileged communities in Waltham.
Q: Looking back on your career at Brandeis, do you have any one or two moments that you look back on and cherish?
When I reflect on my years at Brandeis, I appreciate the support of the diverse body of students, my teammates, coaches and, overall school personnel. They all contributed to my cherished moments at Brandeis.
Q: What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of since you graduated?
Brandeis provided me with a solid academic and athletic background that assisted me in achieving my educational, financial, social and pursuing my spiritual goals in life. I became a Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President at a major bank in New York City and an educator in the New York City Public Schools. These positions assisted me in raising a family and having children who are professional in the medical and legal field.
I believe that a good education at a valued academic institution is one of the keys to success in life and you need to be prudent in making your selection.
