Senior Athlete Profile – Austin Prouty, Offensive Lineman #67For Austin Prouty, the journey to college athletics began in Schuylerville, New York, a small farm townwhere family and community are imp

For Austin Prouty, the journey to college athletics began in Schuylerville, New York, a small farm town where family and community are important parts of life. As a member of the Brockport Golden Eagles football program, Prouty has spent his college years developing as an athlete while discovering that some of the most meaningful parts of the experience have little to do with the game itself.

Sports have long been part of the Prouty family story. Austin’s father played high school football and stood an impressive 6 feet 7 inches tall. His sister, Alexa, also participated in numerous sports, making athletics a shared experience for the siblings.

Their mother, while not particularly involved in sports herself, supported both children in their athletic pursuits. Her encouragement helped Austin and Alexa explore their interests and follow their own paths.

When it came time to choose a college, Austin could not necessarily identify one specific thing that drew him to Brockport. But during his recruiting visit, he experienced something that made the decision feel easy. He knew almost immediately that Brockport was the place for him. Sometimes, the right choice is not about a single selling point. It is simply the feeling that a place is where you belong.

Throughout his time at Brockport, Austin credits his position coach, Coach Potter, with having an immense impact on his growth, both as a football player and as a person. A coach’s influence can extend well beyond technique, preparation and performance, shaping how an athlete approaches challenges and develops away from competition. For Austin, Coach Potter has been an important part of that broader college experience.

As Austin reflects on his college football career, his most memorable moments are not necessarily tied to a particular game, a big play or an accomplishment on the field. Instead, he remembers the camaraderie and friendships he built with his teammates.

Some of those memories were made in the dining hall, sharing meals and conversations with people who had become much more than teammates. Away from the field, those everyday gatherings provided opportunities to laugh, connect and build relationships. The meals themselves may have seemed ordinary at the time, but they became part of what made his college experience special.

Football brings players together through practices, workouts and competition, but it is often the moments in between that turn a group of athletes into a close-knit team. For Austin, those dining hall meals represent that side of college football: the shared experiences, friendships and simple routines that create lasting memories.

Looking back on his time at Brockport, Austin offers younger teammates a simple piece of advice: “When the going gets tough (and it will be tough), don’t give up.”

He also reminds them that they do not have to face challenges alone. If they need someone to talk to, there will always be someone willing to listen.

His advice reflects the sense of connection that has made his own Brockport experience so memorable. To Austin, being part of a team means more than competing on the field. It means supporting one another through difficult moments, both in sports and in life. As he prepares to leave his mark on the program, he hopes younger teammates carry that same sense of connection with them long after their playing days are over.

As Austin Prouty closes out his senior season at Brockport, his legacy extends beyond the football field. It lives in the friendships forged over dining hall meals, the bonds shared with teammates, the guidance of coaches like Coach Potter and the support he encourages younger athletes to offer one another. From a small farm town in Schuylerville to his place among the Golden Eagles, Austin has found more than a college football home. He has found a community.

As he prepares for life beyond Brockport, his message to those who follow him is one worth remembering: when the going gets tough, don’t give up, and never be afraid to lean on the people around you. The games will eventually end, but the friendships, lessons and memories made along the way will last far longer than the final whistle.