Spotlight on Belhaven Athletes

Get to know a few of our Belhaven Blazer Athletes.

When you attend any Belhaven Blazers’ game you’ll see an action packed display from our talented athletes.  Belhaven sponsors 13 intercollegiate sport programs and creates an atmosphere where student-athletes can compete for championships and mature as men and women created in the image of God.  We believe that the academic and spiritual development of our student-athletes is just as important as their competitive development.

Discover more about Belhaven’s Athletic Departments.

 

Goss, Belhaven Cheerleading

 

Callie Goss, Cheerleading

Callie is from Alexandria, LA. She is a senior and graphic design major.

Favorite aspect of being an athlete at Belhaven University:  “I love how all of the athletes are so supportive of the others sports. The stands are normally full of other athletes cheering each other on.

Lessons learned while being a Belhaven athlete: “That God is the most important thing and that it is possible to be successful in your sport and glorify and keep Him first in your life.

 

Duarte, Belhaven Tennis

 

Daniel Duarte,  Tennis

Daniel is from Bogota, Colombia. He is a freshman and business major.

Favorite aspect of being an athlete at Belhaven University: “I love that even while spending a lot of time studying, I still have enough time to do what I love the most, which is Tennis.”

Lessons learned: “While being an athlete here at Belhaven, I have learned how to be a part of a team and how to utilize teamwork.”

 

Atwood, Belhaven Volleyball

 

Christina Atwood, Volleyball

Christina is from Vancleave, MS.  She is a senior and sports medicine major.

Favorite aspect of being an athlete at Belhaven University:  “Being blessed with the second family I have in my team.”

Lessons learned: “I have definitely learned a sense of self-discipline on a much stronger level. It is very hard to balance school, practice and social life, but over the years I have slowly learned more and more about balancing it, all in a way to be as successful as I can in each of these areas!”

 

Colvin, Belhaven Soccer

 

Michael Colvin, Soccer

Facts: Michael is from Glasgow, Scotland.  He is a freshman and economics major.

Favorite aspect of being an athlete at Belhaven University: “Being part of a very close team  and having lots of other athletes to support you.”

Lessons learned: “I have learned to become a better communicator with my peers, and have become more disciplined through soccer which has helped me in the classroom.

 

Lopez, Belhavn Baseball

 

Kevin Lopez, Baseball

Kevin is from Caracas, Venezuela. He is undecided about his major and is a freshman

Favorite aspect of being a Belhaven University athlete: ”I really feel comfortable. I can see the intentions from the staff and I can tell that they really want to make me better. This is important to me since my primary objective was to go to a school with a good sports organization, and Belhaven is one.”

Lessons learned: “While being part of a team, I have learned how to arrange my priorities. The coaches teach us that God and family come first, school comes second, and our sport should come third.”

 

Kingsbury, Belhaven Women's Soccer

 

Kaylie Kingsbury, Women’s Soccer

Kaylie is from Lansing, Michigan. She is a freshmen and sports medicine major.

Favorite aspect of being an athlete at Belhaven University: ”The friends and awesome people I am surrounded with everyday challenge me to work hard in school, soccer and in my faith.”

Lessons learned: “I have learned that I don’t need to do everything by myself, If I need help I have teammates, coaches, teachers, and other people all willing to help out and give insight on whatever my problem may be.“

 

Stingfellow, Belhaven Basketball

 

Terence Stringfellow, Basketball

Terence is from Memphis, TN. He is a junior and sports administration major.

Favorite aspect of being a Belhaven University athlete: “The coaches stress that we are playing for God, not for our own glory.“

Lessons learned: “A lot of people look up to athletes, therefore we should play in a way that is pleasing to God and live a life that is pleasing to God on or off the court because people are still looking up to us.”

Homecoming Q & A with Michael Dukes

Michael Dukes, Alumni Director

Michael Dukes, Alumni Director

Michael Dukes, class of ‘98, is Belhaven’s Alumni Director. If any of you alumni are on the fence about coming “Back to Belhaven” this year, read this short Q & A before you make up your mind! Register Online for all of the Homecoming events you plan to attend.

What is your favorite aspect of being Alumni Director? The interaction with alumni (and friends) from varying eras is always satisfying to my soul.  Helping connect alumni passions with something that is currently going on at Belhaven, and see them get involved, is the most enjoyable aspect of my role here.

What is your favorite time of year? Homecoming is the pinnacle for alumni involvement during the school year, so naturally it is my favorite time.  I could put together a Homecoming schedule full of activities and events, but my philosophy is to plan a few meaningful events and reserve the bulk of time available for simple conversation and “re-connection” for alumni.

What are some annual favorites that will be back again for Homecoming 09? Of course, the Alumni Awards Luncheon is a highlight each year.  This event allows us to honor a handful of Belhaven’s alumni who have made significant impact in their churches, careers, and communities since departing Belhaven.  This year’s recipients are certainly a worthy group.

Other staple events are the Sports Hall of Fame Banquet (Friday night), the Fifty Year Club Fall Meeting, and the 5k Run/Walk…AND the Football team will square off with Shorter College on the gridiron this year…GO BLAZERS!

Homecoming Court 2008

Homecoming Court 2008

What are some special events that are new this year? The most significant new event for Homecoming this year will be the “Thirty Years of Excellence” Celebration, honoring Drs. Al Chestnut and Phil Kelly.  It’s a pretty remarkable thing to have faculty stay at one institution thirty years or longer, yet alone in one department.  We wanted to do something to honor these gentlemen and allow those who sat under their teaching the opportunity to express their thankfulness.

Although it’s not a totally new event, this year will see the return of our Blazer Basketball Mini-Camp (Saturday morning).  We want to encourage alumni with children or grandchildren to bring them and let our Belhaven student-athletes interact with them and teach them some basketball skills in the process!

What is the one thing  you hope all alumni experience when they come “Back to Belhaven?” Much of who I am as a person was shaped during my time at Belhaven, so my passions for the College run deep and true.  I know I am not the only one for whom this is the case.  So, my hope is that all alumni who are even remotely tempted to come back for Homecoming will make the choice to do so.  I am persuaded that just simply being back on campus will bring back some powerful memories for us all of what the Lord accomplished in our lives through Belhaven College and the people who were here with us.