The students behind Team Handball at UGA bring different backgrounds and levels of handball experience — each has found something meaningful through the club.
Lourdes Calvo — Founder & President
- Hometown: Marietta, GA / Argentina
- Major & Graduation Year: Biomedical Physiology, Class of 2029
- Preferred Handball Position: Center Back / Wing
Personal impact of handball: Handball gave me a sense of belonging and helped me find a sport I genuinely enjoy. It also motivated me to get back on a healthier track.
Advice for newcomers: If you've never felt like you were "good at sports," this might just be the sport for you. Give it a chance!
Victor Cristian — Vice President & Men's Team Captain
- Hometown: Marietta, GA
- Major & Year: Exercise & Sport Science B.S. / Nutritional Sciences M.S., Sophomore
- Preferred Handball Position: Center Back / Right Back
Personal impact of handball: Handball has been a great activity to keep me in shape while, more importantly, creating a group of some of the funniest and nicest people I have ever met.
Advice for newcomers: If you are concerned that you do not know anything, do not stress! A lot of people are probably in the same boat as you because handball is still growing in America, and we are here to teach you.
Peyton Bergquist — Director of Recruitment & Outreach, Women's Team Captain
- Hometown: Suwanee, GA
- Major & Graduation Year: Regenerative Bioscience and Applied Biotechnology, Class of 2029
- Preferred Handball Position: Left Wing
Personal impact of handball: I love the people on the team and the connections I have made while playing the game. I played basketball, volleyball, soccer, and archery throughout my life, so finding handball at UGA was perfect.
Advice for newcomers: Don't be afraid to try something new! I didn't really know what handball was when I first started, but I'm so glad I joined. Get out of your comfort zone and have fun!
Michael Andrews — Director of Budget & Operations
- Hometown: Snellville, GA
- Major & Graduation Year: Accounting, Risk Management, and Marketing, Class of 2028
- Preferred Handball Position: Left Back / Right Back
Personal impact of handball: Having the ability to play a competitive sport after high school has been great. I've met so many new people and have had a great time traveling to compete.
Advice for newcomers: Play with intent and have a good time. Don't half-commit to things out of fear. Enjoy the game, make mistakes, and learn.
Kyle McDole — Director of Player Engagement
- Hometown: Peachtree City, GA
- Major & Graduation Year: Civil Engineering, Class of 2029
- Preferred Handball Position: Left Back / Right Back
Personal impact of handball: Handball has helped me stay active and has given me some great lifelong connections.
Advice for newcomers: Handball is not an intense club whatsoever, so if you even think you might have fun, you're more than welcome to come try it out and possibly make some new friends.
Brandon Jones — Director of Media & Communications
- Hometown: Eastman, GA
- Major & Graduation Year: B.S. Biology, Class of 2028
- Preferred Handball Position: Pivot
Personal impact of handball: Handball has allowed me to get back into a team sport, stay active, try my hand at leadership, and meet some incredible people who I now consider dear friends.
Advice for newcomers: Don't be scared to try something new! I wasn't that good for the first long while of my time with handball, but if you stick it out, you'll have so much fun and come away with so many memories and great connections.