BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Campbellsville University's Brianna Scott was named the Mid-South Conference Softball Champion of Character, conference officials announced tonight at the annual awards banquet.
The honor is the third straight conference Champion of Character recognition for the senior from Summersville, Ky. She becomes the first-ever student-athlete in the MSC for any sport to earn the award three times.
"Throughout these four years I have seen change within myself," said Scott in her personal statement turned into the MSC. "I have seen a typically quiet young girl, who enjoys keeping to herself, blossom into a young outspoken woman. I have also seen a young girl afraid of change learn how to deal with the ever-changing situations of life. I have seen a girl who follows others transform into someone who leads others. I could keep going on for forever. Throughout this process though, one thing has always remained the same, this young girl's character."
"It is quite an honor to be recognized by your teammates and coaches as a Champion of Character," said director of athletics, Jim Hardy. "It is even more remarkable to be recognized by all the schools in the conference as the overall Champion of Character but to be recognized as the top in the conference three straight years is truly one of the greatest achievements I have ever seen.
"Bri has consistently demonstrated every attribute of character throughout her career at Campbellsville University. It has become evident to us in the athletic department what others have seen in Bri as she has worked in our athletics office this year. I would like to say congratulations to Bri on this incredible accomplishment and I know you will impact others for Christ the way you have throughout your time here at CU."
Scott was nominated by her coach, Shannon Wathen, who has watched her also be a champion on the diamond for the Lady Tigers. In her career, she's a .303 hitter and has tallied 28 home runs, 44 doubles, four triples and stolen 34 bases.
Scott had a standout season as a sophomore with 15 home runs and 61 RBI.
Wathen submitted a letter as part of Scott's nomination packet: "Since arriving on campus in 2014, Brianna Scott has made an immediate impact on Campbellsville University, especially among her fellow students and teammates while emphasizing her Christian values.
"Brianna has exemplified what it means to be a student-athlete and a Champion of Character through dedication to her church, family and the university. For the last seven years she has been part of Constructors for Christ, when, during a week each summer, she assists in the building of a church in a different city or state. While at the worksite, Bri helps with a variety of duties, including ductwork, insulation, roofing, electrical wiring and dry walling.
"She also has volunteered for the past seven years teaching Vacation Bible School at the Aetna Grove Baptist Church. It is a weeklong program where she spends time teaching children about the Gospel.
"Brianna has excelled academically, being named to the Dean's or President's List each semester on campus.
"Two summers ago, she joined the Campbellsville University Athletic Department on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. That trip was a life-changing experience for her and also a teammate, Morgan Gailor, which she led to Christ.
"Through softball, a game that she loves, she also had the opportunity to touch numerous lives through fundamentals camps and prayer.
"I am extremely honored to write a letter of recommendation for Brianna. It is without a single doubt she embodies what it means to be a Christian first and a student-athlete second while embracing the five core character values of a Champion of Character. The impact she makes on our softball team is in direct correlation to how she lives her everyday life. She has a tremendous positive influence on the success of this team, both on and off the field.
"Being a student-athlete is a full-time job. To see her so engaged and making such a positive impact in other facets of her life is truly amazing and is a true testament to the outstanding person Brianna is ... a true Champion of Character."
Scott hopes to someday become a high school math teacher and a coach if it's God's plan, she said.
"From a young age, I made the decision to never compromise my own morals and to always be the friend that I wanted to have," continued Scott. "I have devoted my life not only to the service and mission work listed in my application but also to the service of others on a daily basis. I've devoted my life to the things that you cannot write down such as being the only smile someone sees that day or opening the door for someone not expecting it. The little things that people don't even realize make their day better."
The Lady Tigers are scheduled to open the Mid-South Conference Tournament on Friday morning at 11 a.m. ET at Michael O. Buchanon Park. See the link above for the complete game and conference preview story.
