More than 15 years after she graduated from Brooks, softball standout Brittany “Britt” Hart is back, coaching and sharing her personal story to inspire others.

Hart delivered Brooks School’s annual Kippy Liddle Day Chapel speech on April 10, challenging all who listened to find their passion and let it bring them peace during tough times.

Watch Hart’s talk on our Chapel Videos page.

As is tradition at Brooks, each spring the school holds a Chapel honoring Katherine “Kippy” Liddle, a faculty member who died during a pre-season practice in 1984 with the Brooks crew team. In remembrance of Liddle, Brooksians honor the outstanding achievements, accomplishments and character of female athletes.

Hart — who was a soccer, basketball and softball team captain, ISL MVP, All-League honoree and broke the school’s career softball strikeout record with an astonishing 652 — went on to compete at Division I level at Bryant University, where she played in 101 games, made 68 starts and tallied 185 career strikeouts.

Brooks School's 2009 yearbook. “When I look back it’s great to remember the big wins, and some of the losses still hurt, but it’s the teams I was a part of that I remember the most: the team breakfasts, the pre-game rituals, and most definitely the bus rides to away games,” Hart said. “It was knowing that every day I could put aside anything going on in my life, show up to practice, and have some fun. It was the support we had for one another.”

“While I am an extremely competitive person, to me, sports are about more than just games,” she told all gathered in the Frank D. Ashburn Chapel yesterday. “They are a testament to the human spirit, a celebration of teamwork, and a powerful tool for mental well-being.”

She knows this firsthand. The marketing professional had been coaching softball at Brooks for several years alongside her former coach, current Director of Athletics Andrea Heinze, when, going into the 2022 season, Hart’s three-year marriage ended.

Falling into a depression and bouts of crippling anxiety during the season, she said, “the thing that got me up and out of the house every day was Brooks softball. As an athlete, it was ingrained in me to not give up on my team.” So each day, she came to campus, focused on practice and gave herself a break from everything else.

“If anyone here has experienced any sort of anxiety or depression, you know it’s hard to escape your own thoughts,” she said. “Showing up to practice, hearing about [the players’] days, watching them work hard and really coming together as a team was good for my soul.”

“Engaging in activities you love allows you to take a break from your problems, clear your mind, and find joy during difficult times,” said Hart (above middle with Brooks girls softball players). “ It helps you maintain a sense of balance and perspective, and can be a powerful tool for coping with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.”

“Even though the girls did not know what was happening in my life, that team and the support they had for one another were instrumental in getting me through a really, really hard time,” she continued. “Brooks softball was my escape and what showed me that I could be happy amidst a lot of sadness.”

Meeting with current softball, basketball and soccer players after Chapel in a reception in the admission building, Hart continued to offer them advice and reminisce with Heinze, family and former teammates who’d come to campus to hear Hart’s remarks.

“If the students take away anything from my speech,” she said toward the end of the day, “I hope it's the importance of finding your passion, being a part of a team, and letting both those things bring you joy and comfort.”

“Life will inevitably throw challenges your way, but finding something that drives you can make all the difference,” Hart said in Chapel.