This is part of a series on athletics.covenant.edu with feature stories written by the student-athletes about their time at Covenant. The series is in conjunction with NCAA Division III week, an annual event to celebrate the accomplishments on and off the field of the student-athletes in the NCAA's largest division.
By: Scotty Smith
(Covenant '25, Baseball)
As I started my journey as a Division III student-athlete it meant that I had to learn how to become a Covenant Scot. For many, we are defined by our successes solely on the field and the accolades we achieve. I quickly realized that becoming a Covenant Scot meant much much more than that. I learned to find my identity in Christ rather than worldly successes of our sports or academics. I learned to strive for more than simply beating another team and gained the ability to witness to other teams. I gained the joy of having Bible studies with the same guys that shed sweat and tears on the field with me. This led to meaningful relationships that I will be able to cherish for the rest of my life as I got to know the players personally that practiced next to me everyday. I learned what it felt like to be pushed off of the field academically as well. Even as athletes, we are pushed to not only strive for good individual GPAs but also a good team GPA and this leads to taking teammates with you to sit in the front of the class or to study with your teammates. The fellowship of athletes and the journey that you get to share as a Covenant Scot will be something I will cherish forever.
As I look back on my soon to be four years of college and collegiate baseball, it can be hard to pinpoint favorite memories. Many of these memories include walk-off celebrations or celebrating important wins. What sticks out the most to me is the fellowship gained and bus rides shared to away games. I will never forget the jokes made, playing mafia on the bus, or the many meals shared with my teammates. It may be difficult for me to remember a specific pitch, out, or hit, but I will never forget these memories made with my teammates as a Covenant Scot.
Within my own journey I have been able to grow in many ways aside from growing athletically. As Division III athletes we are pushed to become the best athletes that we can be, but as a Covenant Scot we are pushed to strive for excellence in the classroom as well as being called to pursue Christ. As I showed up to Covenant College I did not expect to gain much other than the ability to play baseball at the collegiate level. As I near the end of my collegiate career I am able to look back and see how much being a Covenant Scot has shaped me spiritually and academically. I am truly able to appreciate how this journey is able to prepare me for a world beyond sports and for an eternity with Christ. Go Scots!
CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS
Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.
