FALL 2024 25 College athletes face unique challenges when transitioning from college into their next season in life. Many NCAA student-athletes struggle to receive and/or pursue broader academic activities like internships and other career readiness opportunities because of their athletic obligations. DBU Athletics recognizes this tension and introduced Patriots Prepared as a holistic solution to ensure that student-athletes are set for success in all of life, including a post-sports career. This initiative is just one way that DBU Athletics fulfills its mission to foster professional, spiritual, and civic growth among its student-athletes. On February 28, 2024, DBU Athletics hosted the fourth annual Patriots Prepared event. Three distinguished keynote speakers spoke to the heart of the issues that student-athletes face when considering life after sports and balancing academics and athletics. One issue that is not exclusive to student-athletes is the role God plays when it comes to choosing one’s career. Does God really have a purpose in mind for each young man and woman at DBU? Wayne Walker, Founder and CEO of OurCalling, gave a resounding response to that question and one that too few student-athletes hear on university campuses—to let your faith guide your career. Boomer Collins, a Special Agent for the Secret Service and Patriot Baseball Alum, used his own life story to help connect the dots between the various experiences of a student-athlete and later success in a chosen vocation. Athletes don’t have to compartmentalize their lives—what they’re learning and experiencing now in athletics can inform the rest of their lives. They carry those stories and life lessons with them as they become employees, leaders, fathers, and mothers. The closing address by Lindsay McManus, an esteemed attorney at Hall Render Law Firm and Patriot Soccer Alum, emphasized the importance of relationships in pursuing God’s call. She too used her own life story as a reminder of what the Bible teaches about the lifelong value of Christian fellowship and community and challenged current athletes to deepen and rely upon their relationships with teammates, coaches, and alums as they are preparing to search for jobs after graduation. Representatives from over 20 companies then welcomed the student-athletes afterward at an exclusive job and internship social. Former DBU student-athletes represented many of these companies, providing invaluable networking opportunities and access to internships and full-time positions for current Patriots. Where many student-athletes at other universities are left to face the future alone, DBU offers another approach. Through events like Patriots Prepared, the University will continue to empower student-athletes to excel beyond the parameters of their respective sports. The goal is to give each student-athlete the best and the broadest opportunities to feel confident and prepared to pursue God’s very best for them—now and throughout their lifetime. SHAPING THE WELL-BEING OF ATHLETES BEYOND GRADUATION A record seven million women and girls played golf on a course in 2023. According to the National Golf Foundation, female golfers now account for over a quarter of all on-course golf players in America today, and DBU Women’s Golf is showcasing Champions for Christ who bring both sterling character and incredible golf skills to the game. And God is getting the glory. A recent example happened this spring when two DBU standout golfers were named All-Americans at the NCAA DII National Championship. The Women’s Golf Coaches Association announced this year’s First Team All Americans in early May, naming DBU’s Julia Garcia and Olivia Mitchell as two of only 14 selections. At the end of May, the WGCA also added their Second and Honorable Mention AllAmerican Teams, including two Patriots, Ella Cheek and Jordan Karrh. As DBU Women’s Golf players continue to rise to the top of the game, more attention is being drawn to Christ. FOUR PATRIOTS NAMED ALL-AMERICANS Julia Garcia Olivia Mitchell
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