Athlete in the spotlight: Katy Campbell

by Kristin Gnile, Feature/Sports Editor

Everyone knows that the women's basketball team did well this season, but they may not know why. Leading the team from victory to victory is Katy Campbell, #33. As team captain, she makes sure that the team aims for high standards both on and off the court.

"I strive to lead by example and vocally making sure that my team is ready to step onto the court every day and give everything they have," said Campbell. "I love the game and the competition. And I absolutely love my team."

She believes that the team's chemistry, along with dedication and their coaches, caused the successful season.

"We have an amazing group of girls who are so dedicated to each other as a team and would do anything for one another," said Campbell. "When you have this type of team chemistry, the game of basketball starts to become easy and fun... not that we don't have to work hard every day we step onto the court."

Campbell has been surrounded by the sport for most of her life. As a kid she was a self-titled "gym rat" as she went to all of her father's [Glen] basketball games. Her father helped coach her teams in high school and continues to "shoot around" with her before games. He ultimately inspired her to play basketball.

"He has so much knowledge about the game of basketball and I am so blessed to

have a father who is willing to share that with me and be willing to take time out of his life to encourage and help me be the best that I can," said Campbell.

When she came to George Fox on a basketball recruiting visit, she immediately felt it was the place she was supposed to be.

"From a young age I have been determined to practice veterinary medicine and Fox had the curriculum to help me achieve that goal and professors that were determined to have their students succeed," Campbell said. "I also came because of basketball. I knew that by playing at a smaller school I would be able to still play and maintain a rigorous course load."

And it has been quite the rigorous course load. She has learned first hand what a hard task it is to balance both school and sports.

"I am a Biology major which requires a lot of time spent in labs, many study hours, long lab write ups etc," said Campbell. "Add my commitment to basketball of 3-4 hours

a day on top of that and I don't have a lot of extra free time in my schedule."

However, the balancing act has allowed her to develop time management and multitasking skills.

"There have been a few times over the last four years where I felt like I wasn't going to be able to make it," said Campbell. "It comes down to what you value most in your life and what you are determined to accomplish. For me, that is my team and my education."

Campbell lives her life by a phrase her grandfather once told her: "You are fast becoming who you are going to be."

"It means that what you do every second of every day determines who you will be in the future, that you should make choices that will positively impact your integrity and other's perspective of who you are," Campbell explains.

As Campbell finishes off her final semester at Fox, she leaves some advice behind to aspiring athletes.

"Never give up," she said. "Don't let someone steer you from a path you wish to follow.

Take criticism as a learning experience."