The Sun is Breaking Through, It's a Brand New DayYear … 

Summer is fading fast and a new school year is beginning to rise on the horizon. Here On the Hill, it means Trevecca athletes are arriving even as you read this.

Here are nine quick thoughts that might just benefit any student or student-athlete to get the most out of the new year physically, spiritually, socially and scholarly. 

Find Balance – Make sure to include time for sleep and activities outside of class, training, and games that get you excited. Life on the Hill is terrific, but make sure you take time to explore other parts of the Music City. 

When you think about going on a mission trip, you usually think about how your group will impact those you are traveling to serve. However, like many, our recent mission experience resulted in all of us being blessed and moved by those we served. Our team used three different flights and a 6-hour bus ride to reach St. Maria Guienagati, a community affected by earthquakes we watched on the news months ago. 

Hola Amigos!

We are headed to Southern Mexico with anticipation to witness what God has prepared for us during this eight-day trip!

Our travel party of 16 is excited, nervous, and eager to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people of Mexico.

We are grateful to our supportive Trevecca Community who helped us with prayer, encouragement, and donations for this trip. We go proudly carrying your name and representing everyone On the Hill!

 

A few years ago, and even several months ago, if you were to ask me what my plans were, I’d have told you I’d be preparing for my first semester of physical therapy school, on my way to becoming Dr. Olivia Chapman. Somewhere along the way the title I felt appropriate for my future changed to Coach Chapman. I do not remember an exact time or place this realization came to me, but I do know I felt an undeniable tug on my heart, drawing me towards the profession of coaching. I followed my heart, and it led me to an assistant coaching role at Trevecca Nazarene University.   

 

As a coach, I now understand what every coach and teammate saw in me over the years. We are capable of more than we think, especially on the court. I have the great privilege to speak into young athletes' lives and push them closer to who they were made to be. I see great potential in every player in our program, and I want to help them reach their potential while fostering grow both on and off the court.  

Growing up, I am sure we have all been told, “There is no ‘I’ in team.” It is proven to be even more accurate as the years go by. There is more to being on a team than worrying about yourself. Say you just finished your last sprint and are utterly exhausted, but you see your teammate struggling; what do you do? Do you focus on how hard it was and how tired you feel? Or do you step up, get out of your comfort zone, cheer for your teammate, and give them a high-five when they finish?

 

What does it mean To Be a Trevecca Trojan Women’s Basketball player? It means being To Be committed daily to a cause greater than yourself.

Our program is centered around four pillars: Give, Grow, Love, and Win.

GIVE - means to sacrifice selfish desires and to have a servant’s heart.

GROW - means to increase your physical skills, basketball IQ, and understanding your role.

At the start of the spring semester each year we have a team meeting usually just to create a schedule, some goals, and expectations we need to know for the year. This year coach presented us with the opportunity to organize, run, and play in a refugee futsal league. Futsal is soccer played in a gym or on a futsal court. It is an intense, fast-paced, and an incredibly technical version of soccer. It’s entirely different from the outdoor version, and yet it is remarkably similar. Both are played with a ball, goals, and a willingness to compete and have fun. The latter is all we asked of the refugee kids in the league.

 

In every athlete’s life, there comes the point where one has to make a decision; do I pursue my dreams and try to compete in college or do I give it up and move on with life? This time is not an easy one, mainly because most athletes spend countless hours on the court, field, track, or in the pool perfecting their craft. However, a low percentage of high school athletes make it to this bigger stage. Collegiate athletics have different levels: Junior College, NAIA, NCAA Division III, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division I. No matter what level the athlete decides is the best fit, competing at a higher level is quite the accomplishment.

Our last full day in Colombia was spent exploring and further appreciating God’s creativity. Colombia is such a gorgeous country, and sadly the pictures don’t come close to capturing it. The colors are so bright and vivid, and the mountains are unreal.

A bad day…

It’s something defined by perspective. What you might see as a bad day may be considered a great one to someone else. However, there are some days when you really can’t see the good in your situation, even when it’s there. People will say, “Just think about how good you’ve got it.” Sometimes, though, when inspiration and determination are hard to find, you can’t think that way, and you only do what is asked of you to get through the day.