For Grandpa
By Craig Lawson
It is rare for someone to find success without the support of others. For Boise State senior outfielder Mykenzie Hanna, one of her biggest supporters was her grandpa, Brian Hanna, Sr.
Mykenzie and her father lived with her grandpa until she was 4-years-old, about the time she started playing softball.
“He would spoil me.” Mykenzie said. “We had a pool and he bought swim jets that go under water. He and my father bought a boat. Then he bought sea-doos.”
Mykenzie remained close to her grandpa until his death in 2020 from stage 4 lung cancer, but his memory remains. She honors him with the words “FOR GRANDPA” on her softball glove.
“When I was getting my driving permit, he would ask if I wanted to get Starbucks and drive around,” Mykenzie recalled. “I feel like I took that for granted because sometimes I would say no not today. He would ask every other day. Sometimes I look back and think I should have went. I loved my grandpa. I was his only granddaughter. He wanted to be at everything and do everything with me. He always tried to make it to my games and I would definitely hear him.”
Becoming a Bronco
Mykenzie Hanna has signed her NLI! Please help us in welcoming her to Bronco Nation??
— Boise State Softball (@BroncoSportsSB) November 11, 2020
Mykenzie is an outfielder out of Chino Hills, CA!#BleedBlue #Classof21 pic.twitter.com/D1N5hRDgi1
A native of Chino Hills, California, Hanna chose softball over soccer.
“In California, we play softball all year round and I always chose softball when there was a conflict with soccer,” Mykenzie said. “My stepmom and dad always made sure I had opportunities. They put me on the best teams and made sure I had hitting lessons.”
Recruited by former Bronco head coach Maggie Huffaker, Hanna chose Boise State over East Carolina after visiting both schools.
“I did not know Boise State existed until I got recruited,” Mykenzie said. “I was eager to make a decision my junior year. This felt like home. Boise has four seasons.”
As a freshman under current head coach Justin Shults, Hanna played in 37 games, including 21 starts. She batted a respectable .253 with five doubles and five home runs.
The following season, she made 44 starts and batted .357 with a .440 on-base percentage, .650 slugging percentage and 1.090 OPS. She collected 10 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and 14 multi-hit games and was named NFCA All-Pacific Region Second Team.
Power Surge
In 2024, the power numbers went up as Hanna engaged in a home run race with then sophomore teammate Sydney Groves. In the end, the duo tied with 18 to lead the Mountain West and ranked 23rd nationally. The total also tied for second in Boise State single-season history and set a school record for a junior.
“We would always joke with each other,” Mykenzie said with a smile. “It would be hey Syd I am not up or ‘hey Kenz, I tied you.’ The game we went back-to-back against UNLV, we literally talked about it. And then we did it. It was a friendly competition.”
Named All-Mountain West Second Team last spring, Hanna enters 2025 ranked fifth all-time at Boise State with 33 home runs, seventh in slugging percentage (.611) and 10th with 96 RBI.
In her career, Hanna has been part of a school record-tying 40 wins in 2022, a conference championship in 2023 and a Mountain West Championship runner-up finish in 2024. What has eluded the program under Shults is an NCAA postseason appearance.
The Broncos begin their 2025 campaign at the NorCal Kickoff hosted by Sacramento State and UC Davis, February 7-9. Boise State’s opener is slated for noon PT/1 p.m. MT, Friday against Saint Mary's in Sacramento.
“I think we are super deep at positions,” Mykenzie forecasted. “Mac (Makenzie Butt) and Syd (Groves) at first, but Syd can also play third with Quinn (Southerland) and Maddie (Madyson Aguilera). Then we have Chloe (Hughes) and Hollie (Farmer) at short and Hollie can also play third. If something is not going somebody’s way, we have so many other people who can help the team to success.”
Senior Leader
As one of four seniors, Hanna also has taken on more of a leadership role this season.
“The upperclassmen are very close with the underclassmen,” Mykenzie said. “I think our bond is so strong that will help us to stay with our standards and our expectations we have for ourselves. Brook (Thompson) and Megan (Lake) are the chatty ones with the underclassmen. (Brooklynn) Pettis has been more vocal this year. I’m more quiet. My tone comes off differently. I am direct. Other seniors will say don’t listen to my tone, listen to what I am saying.”
Hanna cites the communication with teammates on the field as a big reason for the team’s success.
“Our infielders are great at communicating,” Mykenzie said. “Having them talk to us is crucial to how we think. We can just pick up the ball, know where there at and throw it. Our outfielders, we can’t shut up. We’re always talking.”
From her primary position in right field, a lot of Hanna’s conversations are with centerfielder Sophia Knight, a 2024 Freshman All-American and 2025 MW Preseason Player of the Year.
“I love Sophia Knight,” Mykenzie said with admiration. “She helps us a lot in the outfield. She is very good talking to us when we’re down. She knows how to calm us down.”
Hanna, who will celebrate her birthday next week during Boise State’s trip to Mexico for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, wants to be remembered when her time in Blue and Orange comes to an end.
“Leaving an impression on everyone else is what really matters to me,” Mykenzie said. “I want our fans to see I was a good teammate. I want my teammates to know I was a leader. I don’t care about my stats. I don’t want to focus too much on them. I need to take the small wins. If I barrel four balls in a game and go 0-for-4, I have to feel good that I hit four balls on the barrel.”
After graduation, Hanna plans to stay in the Treasure Valley and pursue a master’s degree. After attending CONNECT, a BroncoLife event that provides student-athletes networking opportunities, Hanna may have found her calling.
“I met this lady who is an occupational therapist,” Mykenzie said. “I am a psychology major and I want to work with kids. Hearing her talk about her job was so cool.”
Throughout her senior season and beyond, there is no doubt Hanna will lean on memories of her grandpa and the people who have provided love, support and opportunities for her to achieve her dreams.
Leaving an impression on everyone else is what really matters to me. I want our fans to see I was a good teammate. I want my teammates to know I was a leader.Mykenzie Hanna