BY Peyton Rhoda
BERKELEY BULLETIN DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Emerson College's volleyball captain and senior musical theatre major Semaj' Byrd is not unfamiliar with performing when the lights are brightest. Uniquely a star of the men's volleyball team and in Emerson's theater productions, Byrd is Emerson's version of Troy Bolton.
The volleyball captain from Rockledge, Fla. has donned purple and gold for the last four years. On the court, Byrd doesn't only stand out due to the color of his jersey — as a starting libero, he wears the opposite color from his team — but also for his skilled gameplay.
With 348 digs in four years, Byrd has led his team through thick and thin. He is the only senior this year on the team, choosing to stay all four years after many either went abroad or chose not to return.
Unlike many college athletes, Byrd never played in high school. He only occasionally practiced with his sister's volleyball team and had no aspirations of playing sports at the collegiate level. Byrd walked on to Emerson's team during the 2023 season after some convincing from a friend.
"I came to Emerson because of its great musical theatre program," Byrd said in an interview with The Beacon. "I told myself, there's no way I can play an NCAA sport and do musical theater at the same time."
Turns out he can.
Byrd is one of one, currently the only Emerson student to be both a musical theatre major and an athlete at the same time.
"Sometimes I have to be in two places at once," Bryd said. "At that point, you're like, what needs more of your attention?' Because you're a student athlete, not an athlete student."
Byrd has performed in Emerson productions starring as Sheriff Reynolds in "Batboy the Musical," "Adam in The Mad Ones," and many more. Byrd's typical day juggles four hours of classes in the morning, two hours of volleyball practice in the evening, and four hours of rehearsals into the night — and that doesn't include the six additional rehearsal hours over the weekend.
Beyond attending practices and games, Byrd has faced many moments that test his leadership skills.
This was showcased recently, when the team won a hard fought four-set game against Dean College last week. The win came off the heels of a stretch of four games in which the Lions lost in three sets. Byrd said he had to step up as a leader in a game that meant so much for the team.
"We had a do-or-die game on Saturday, and if we lost it, we probably weren't going to be in the playoffs," Byrd said. "Before that game, I was like, 'Guys, if you're not doing it for yourself, do it for me. Do it for the years that I've put into this program. I'm going to fight with all I can, and I can only ask that you do the same.'"
If you have had the opportunity to watch the Lions play this year, then you might have noticed their grit and fight regardless of the outcome of the game. The demand is also higher for all players on the team, while a typical team rotates 14-16 players, the Lions only have 10 players on their roster, meaning fewer substitutions.
Byrd shouted out the fans for being the team's support during a tough season.
"It's very encouraging. When we're down, I look back, and I'm like, 'Okay, I'm doing it for them now,'" Byrd said. "It gives me something extra."
Despite his successful career at Emerson, No. 1 does have a moment he wishes he could take back.
"My sophomore year, we played La Salle [University], who was one of the top teams in our conference, and we took them to five sets and almost won," Byrd said, "We lost 18-16 because of a few unforced errors, and I wish I could go back and clean some things up."
While he loves the sport, Byrd thinks this is the end of volleyball for him. He sees volleyball as something that he will leave in the past as he looks to pursue his theater performance career with an exciting announcement: shortly after graduating this spring, he is departing for Aspen, Colo. where he will join a local group, Theatre Aspen, during their summer season.
As Byrd looks to leave Emerson and the sport, he has one message for his freshman year self.
"You will be fine, and what's meant for you is meant for you," Bryrd said. "Nothing will pass you by that you're meant to be a part of."
