University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: Kiara Buford
2/11/2019 5:19:00 AM | Women's Basketball
In honor of Black History Month, Gopher Athletics is celebrating those who made us great. Throughout February, GopherSports.com will share short interviews with African-American alumni from various Gopher programs. In these interviews, former student-athletes reflect on their time at the U of M, provide advice to current Gophers and share what Black History Month means to them personally.
Kiara Buford
Sport: Women's Basketball
Years: 2008-2012
Hometown: St. Paul, Minn., currently living in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Occupation: Behavior Interventionist/Varsity Girl's Basketball Coach
What is it you miss most about the University?
The community. The relationships and friendships you build with your teammates and other University athletes. The dorms and apartments we lived in and all the memories we created. We all supported each other!
If you could give the current student-athletes any piece of advice, what would it be?"
Your potential is whatever you want it to be. Your work ethic and passion can get you a long way. This is the beginning of a new chapter and it's okay to not have everything 'figured out'. You'll learn so much about yourself and your path in sports and career while at the University.
What was your favorite university or athletic event you've attended since you graduated and what made it so special to you?
I enjoy going to the football games, men's and women's basketball games! All for different reasons but I enjoy each of them! I also try to squeeze in volleyball games, they were one of my favorites to watch while I was at the U.
What are you grateful for?
The relationships I've built and the opportunities I've had.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
A celebration of our culture and our history! It's an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate our amazing people of color and what we have accomplished. Recognizing our black leaders!
I work at Roseville Area high school as a behavior interventionist. I coach Varsity Girl's Basketball at Robbinsdale Cooper High School. I am a mother of two, a daughter and a son. My kids take up majority of my time outside of work and basketball! :)