CHENEY, Wash. — The process of deciding where to go to college is defining for a student-athlete. They weigh multiple factors and decide which is most important to them and where they have the best chance for success. For
Myles Mayovsky, studying and playing close to home was the key factor.
"It's great being able to be this close to home and I can go home pretty much anytime I want or my family can come visit me. That's the biggest advantage for me," Mayovsky explained.
A native of Kennewick, Wash., the short distance to EWU makes Mayovsky feel right at home in the area.
"I love it here in Spokane. I am able to fish, hunt and mow yards, which I was doing all when I was in Kennewick. I really enjoy the Cheney environment; it's not too small and it's not too big. I really enjoy how many good lakes there are in the area and that if we want to go snowboarding, it's only an hour and a half away."
Arriving at Eastern in 2022, Mayovsky graduated from Kennewick High School where he earned four letters in both football and basketball, adding one in baseball. Mayovsky has a family connection to university, as his dad D'Waine and aunt Jamie both are Eastern alumni.
"My dad told me that he was always going against other football players when he would do intramural sports here. He had a lot of fun with that and would beat up on them pretty good; I thought that was funny."
Along with football and the location, Mayovsky picked Eastern to pursue his education and career goals.
"I wanted to be able to play football and get my degree in construction management, while being close to home so that all of my family and my girlfriend, Hallie, would be able to watch me play. My inspiration for pursuing a construction management degree is that you start a project from nothing and then next thing you know, you have a beautiful big building. It's important for me to be able to provide for my family and me in the future."
Between family, location and academics, Mayovsky feels connected to the Cheney and Spokane community. He understands his responsibilities as a student-athlete and the impact he can make to the region.
"Giving back to the community is a big one for me and it is a responsibility of mine because so many people in my life gave up things for me and helped me out along the way."
Mayovsky enjoys making an impact off the field, but remains focused on making one on the field as well.
During his career at Kennewick HS, Mayovsky earned three All-MCC first team honors at linebacker, but was also a force at running back. Mayovsky rushed for 2,300 yards and 26 touchdowns his senior year, earning All-State honors. He finished his career with over 5,000 all-purpose yards and 61 touchdowns.
When Mayovsky arrived at fall camp prior to the '22 season, he made the full time switch from running back to linebacker.
"Switching from running back to linebacker was different for me because I never really played defense besides my junior and senior year," Mayovsky described. "It basically came about that the coaching staff thought it would be a better fit for me on the defensive side of the ball. It was really different when I came out the first day of fall camp and was only on defense."
Experience at both positions in high school has been key for Mayovsky to better excel as a full time linebacker in college.
"Playing running back helped me so much with being a linebacker because of how I think at backer I sometimes think as if I was running back and what I would do in a certain situation."
Mayovsky played in all 12 games for the Eagles this past season, recording 42 tackles, with 16 solo and 2.5 for a loss. He was tied for fifth on the team in total tackles.
"It was great being able to play last year and my goal for going into 2025 is to be our starting Mike linebacker and lead our defense."
While the individual goals are important for Mayovsky, he sees the growth in the team from the fall through spring practice.
"I don't think there is necessarily only one position group that will improve. I think that, as a whole, our defense is all going to step up and have a better year because we are going to trust each other."
Eastern Washington's season begins on Aug. 30 against Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.
2025 EWU football season tickets are now on sale! Join Spokane County's team for five home games at Roos Field in Cheney starting as low as $99. Group tickets are also available. For more info, visit goeags.com/fbtickets or contact the EWU Ticket Office at 509-359-6059 or tickets@ewu.edu.
Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season ticket and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access, and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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