The student-athletes selected to receive the 2014 GP4L Character award are Taylor Pill (Maranatha Baptist University) and Leah Rutt (Dallas Baptist University). This year's athletic staff recipients of this award are Adam Preston (Campbellsville University) and Cammie Petree (McMurry University).
Taylor Pill, a junior soccer player from Maranatha Baptist University, embodies all the character qualities of the Game Plan 4 Life - Love, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence.
Taylor’s Love and passion for his sport and compassion through his sport has been demonstrated on and off the field. Taylor shows respect and care for other students, prospective students and opposing players. He is loved and respected by his teammates, coaches, professors, and has been selected to hold positions of leadership on his team and on campus.
Taylor was elected team captain by his teammates for both his sophomore and junior seasons. He also serves as the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) on Maranatha’s campus. His Integrity as a leader is unquestioned by his peers. “As a student athlete, Taylor is quick to pick up skills, demonstrate initiative, adjust to time sensitive and person details, and thorough in completing tasks,” says Robert Thompson, Maranatha Baptist University’s Athletic Director. “He is honest and trustworthy and gives his best effort in each endeavor."
Additionally, Taylor has demonstrated a commitment to his Faith. He is active in several capacities in his local church while serving in volunteer capacities in his community through outreach programs at Maranatha. Taylor has also been involved in a soccer ministry team that travels the country to a number of Christian schools and churches to run soccer clinics and present the gospel.
It is without question that Taylor demonstrates Excellence on and off the field. He is extremely diligent in his studies and maintains a high standard of excellence as he has maintained a 3.75 GPA in Sport Management. Taylor has been the recipient of numerous athletic awards as well that depict both his character and his ability including NCCAA All-Region (2012, 2013), NCCAA All-American (2nd team in 2013), NCAA AD3i All-American (2013) NSCAA Scholar Athlete (2013) NAC Honorable Mention (2012). Taylor was also the recipient of the Jamie O’Dell Leadership Award in 2013.
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Leah Rutt, a senior tennis player from Dallas Baptist University, embodies all the character qualities of the Game Plan 4 Life - Love, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence.
Leah is a Business Marketing major and has served many roles on the Dallas Baptist University’s campus. Leah exemplifies Love for Christ by loving others on and off campus. Leah was selected to be the captain of the tennis team three out of her four years at DBU which is a testament of her genuine love and care of each of her teammates. Additionally she serves as the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) within the DBU Athletic Department.
Leah's Integrity as a leader has been recognized by all who have had the privilege of knowing her. On the court she is known for her competitiveness, fight and good sportsmanship. During tennis matches she gives opposing players the benefit of the doubt when she cannot see the ball clearly to make a line call.
Leah is not only passionate about her sport but she is passionate about her Faith. “The most important facet of Leah’s life is her faith and her relationship with Christ." says Reagan Ratcliff, the Sports Information Director at Dallas Baptist University. “Her heart is on fire for the Lord and is a wonderful witness of His love,"
Leah is a three-time All-Heartland Conference selection and was named an NCCAA All-American as a freshman in 2010-11, when Dallas Baptist captured their third NCCAA National Championship. Leah’s Excellence does not stop on the court though. She maintained a 3.7 GPA while balancing a part-time on campus job her senior year of college.
"Leah Rutt is a stand-out student-athlete, teammate and Christian woman,” says Sarah Gray, Head Tennis Coach at Dallas Baptist Univeristy. “Her maturity with her school, tennis training and spiritual walk are inspiring to those who know her."
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Adam Preston has led the Men’s Soccer team at Campbellsville University for the last 11 years. In that time he has cultivated a program that strives for excellence on the field and in the community. He lives out all of the character qualities of the Game Plan 4 LIFE – Love, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence.
Preston’s Love for his players and for Christ is evident. What impresses Campbellsville University’s Director of Athletics, Rusty Hollingsworth the most is Coach Preston’s love for his players. “Each year, Adam’s number one goal is to expose his team members to the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” says Hollingsworth. "How can any coach show a greater Love for their players than sharing Christ with them?”
In addition to leading his players to know and love Christ, he leads with Integrity in all facets of his life. He believes in constantly being a student of the game in order to continue to grow and develop his players to their maximum potential. Not only does he believe in continuing his development as a coach, he also maintains a level of professionalism and honesty in the way he conducts himself on and off the field. Campbellsville University Men’s Soccer Assistant, Alex Adams, commented that “Coach Preston follows the rules to the very bottom line, and makes sure that every recruiting decision that he makes is done ethically.”
Preston’s Faith has remained constant in victory and defeat. He has committed to ensuring that through his program others will experience Christ. He prays with and for his players on a daily basis, invites them to attend church with him, and has led his teams on soccer-based mission trips over the years. He also encourages his team to participate in Engage 24, a campus wide attempt to share the Gospel with all kids on campus.
Coach Preston expects a standard of Excellence from all involved in his program. He has led his team to three NCCAA National tournament appearances and was named Mid South Conference Coach of the Year in both 2006 and 2008. "Adam’s intensity and desire to be great is contagious. His desire for Christ is intense, too,” commented one of Coach Preston’s former players, Luke Lawless. "His desire for greatness has left a lasting impression on my life.”
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Cammie Petree, has spent 18 years making extraordinary contributions in her role as Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at McMurry University. She lives out all of the character qualities of the Game Plan 4 LIFE – Love, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence.
Coach Petree demonstrates a deep Love for both her team and her community. Her passion for sharing her love for Christ is admirable. She understands the value of a servant heart and volunteers her time ministering to those in need in her community. Regularly volunteering with “Meals on Wheels,” she leads by example and instills these values in her players and her family, teaching them the importance of serving the Lord. According to Janet McMurray, Head Athletic Trainer at McMurry University, “Cammie strives to instill Godly virtues in her player’s lives. Her concern for her players extends well beyond the court. Excellence is expected on the court, in the classroom, on campus and in the Abilene community."
Not only does she show her love for her players, but she leads with a high level of Integrity. “She never sacrificed integrity for a better record or exposure. The team had certain rules and standards, which she enforced with grace, mercy and justice, “ says former player Tracee Ellwein.
In addition to being known for her Integrity, Coach Petree is known for living her Faith. She is a woman of prayer, always seeking the Lord’s guidance in both her personal life and professional life. Most notably, Coach Petree organized a program called “Prayer Warriors” comprised of faculty, staff and friends of the McMurry volleyball program for each player that prays for the team throughout the year. Assistant Volleyball Coach, Danielle Roberts commented about her faith saying, “I see the Lord through her everyday walk. She is never afraid to say the Lord is my rock.”
Her pursuit of Excellence extends far beyond the volleyball court. It is evident that Coach Petree is mentoring young women, inspiring them to love the Lord with all their hearts, and in the meantime she has lead her program to numerous championships including the 2012 NCCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship.