What You Work For Is What You Get

Family. More often than not, a word which hits home for a lot of people. Family is our origin, our foundation our legacy and even our travel guide through the ever-winding road called life.

For Macey Huard, a sophomore guard for the Oklahoma State women's basketball team, family has played an instrumental role in shaping her journey through sports and beyond.

Her father, Brock, played quarterback for the University of Washington before embarking on an NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts, while her mother, Molly, was a standout basketball player for the Huskies.

Her two siblings contribute to the family's athletic legacy as well. Her older sister, Haley, played basketball at the University of Montana, while her brother, Titus, currently showcases his talent as a multi-sport standout at Valor Christian, the esteemed alma mater of the likes of former Cowboy golfer Wyndham Clark as well as NFL star running back Christian McCaffrey.

Initially enamored with soccer, Macey switched gears after her mother pointed out her potential on the basketball court.

"My mom was like, Macey, you're great at soccer, but do you know the potential you have in basketball?," Macey Huard said.

This revelation ignited a fierce competitive spirit in Macey, who began to chase her dreams with renewed focus.

Even with the abundance of athletic ability in the family, one could assume that Macey was just born into it or blessed with talent.

However, for Macey that is far from the truth, there was never a moment that she thought she was destined to just be given a scholarship.

"I feel like growing up, I didn't expect it," Macey Huard said. "I worked really hard, but I was never like, 'Oh, I know, this is going to happen.' I always wanted to be somewhere where I was just always working toward it."

She learned that nothing would just be handed to her and that it was going to take dedication and sacrifices to achieve her dreams.

"Having my dad, who played professionally, and my mom, who played at a super high level, taught us from the earliest stage, what you work for, you will get." Macey Huard said.

This mentality was reinforced through rigorous workouts, often led by her father, who pushed her to her limits.

"He took us to the football field and we would run 16 100-yard sprints," Macey said, laughing at the memory of those demanding sessions.

After a successful freshman year at Montana, where she played alongside her sister Haley, Macey took on the daunting challenge of the transfer portal and the uncertainty that can accompany it.

While her first season was filled with personal growth and the opportunity to compete with her sister, Huard reached the conclusion she needed a new environment.

When the time came to establish a plan and road map to achieve her goals, Macey drew on the invaluable experience of her parents.

Her father emphasized the complexities of this transition, acknowledging the emotional toll it took on the family.

"What you start, you finish," Brock Huard said. "But we also knew this was the right decision. This place is built for her."

When it came to Stillwater, the Huard family did not know what to expect. Brock had only been to Payne County a handful of times with the majority of his exposure being spent on the roof of Boone Pickens Stadium calling college football games for national television audiences.

But one thing always came to Brock's mind when he thought of Stillwater that aligned with his daughter as well.

"This place is toughness, like when I think of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and I think of Oklahoma State, I think of toughness," Brock Huard said.

When the moment finally arrived, Macey took her official visit to OSU and this trip was unique compared to her previous visits, as her entire family joined her for the experience.

To Brock what stood out the most was the family environment that Stillwater strives to provide.

"The resources are just incredible, the coaches and the people, just like this place, right?" Brock Huard said. "Just like Mike Gundy and what Jacie is building, and what the Hollidays built with baseball. It is the people, it is not always the building's resources those help, but it's the people."

Now, after being at OSU for several months, Macey said she is living her best life, perhaps the best few months she's ever had.

"I've never been in an environment like this, like small town, like real college feel." Macey Huard said. "It's just been the most amazing place I could have asked for."

Word has already spread around Gallagher-Iba Arena about the sophomore who is constantly in the gym, wearing out the nets with her relentless shooting practice. According to ShotTracker, Huard made nearly 42,000 shots over a time span from June through September, making over 10,000 more than any other player in the country who charted their work.

"I'm always in there getting shots up," Macey Huard mentioned with a smile.

This tireless work ethic is a cornerstone of Macey's approach to the game, rooted in the values instilled by her family.

"What you work for, you will get," she reiterated, echoing the lessons she learned growing up.

Each shot taken in Gallagher-Iba Arena is a testament to her determination to succeed, not only for herself but for the legacy she aims to uphold as a Huard.

Now there is only one thing left for her to do in Stillwater and that's to step on the court for her first game as a Cowgirl.

"I'm just super excited to step out on that floor and just compete with my teammates." Macey Huard said.

"I think we have a really special team and big goals, so I'm really excited to see what's to come this year."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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