Feature Story
Finding a Spiritual Brotherhood on the Basketball Court
From San Clemente, CA, Kade Harrick (‘27) came to Southern Virginia University looking to play basketball and live in a Christ-centered environment. During his freshman year, he was supported by his teammates to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he has since rejoined the men’s basketball team for a record-breaking season.
“I was debating going on a mission, and having my teammates around me and the influences I had at SVU really helped me get out on a mission, and so that was very impactful for me,” said Harrick. “Having returned missionaries on the team and some Christ-centered guys really helped me. They were like big-brother roles.”
Harrick attended Southern Virginia for the 2021–22 academic year before serving in the Lansing, Michigan Mission. During his freshman year, the men’s basketball team set a team record for the most wins since joining the NCAA, with Harrick playing all 26 games that season and leading the free throw percentage.
“My first year here was our team’s best year since joining the NCAA,” Harrick said. “And this past year we broke that record again, and so I’ve been really grateful to be part of two historic seasons for SVU. Hopefully I can keep expanding on that as well. I’ve seen our hard work pay off these past two years.”
During the 2024–25 season, the team finished 19-8 with the most wins of the program’s NCAA Division III era. Harrick played all 27 games, scoring 47 points, with 24 steals and recording 28 assists, growing in his role on the team.
“One of the biggest blessings of Southern Virginia is that both years have been some of the most tight-knit teams I have ever been on,” said Harrick. “It’s been like a family there. My freshman year and this year have been two completely different rosters too, but that just shows the brotherhood coming from the men’s basketball team.”
Harrick is a business major with a concentration in financial planning. In addition to focusing on basketball and school, he is a member of the Institute Council for the Southern Virginia Institute of Religion, where he enjoys the opportunity to serve the students around him by helping plan activities.
“Institute has really helped me adjust to post-mission life and settle in and still have spiritual moments in my day-to-day life, while adjusting to being a student again,” explained Harrick. “It’s been really cool to have the opportunity to serve those around me.”