By Adam Stanek
Before MACU’s softball team won its first-ever NCCAA National Championship this spring, one student-athlete was already crowned a champion of character.
Senior outfielder Faith Hollingsworth was selected as the recipient for the NCCAA Game Plan 4 LIFE award, becoming the second Evangels softball player to ever win
the award.
“I was extremely grateful to even be nominated for it, but to receive it out of all the nominees was such a surreal moment for me,” said Hollingsworth. “I wasn’t expecting to be chosen, so for Coach (Robert) Wakefield to nominate me and the NCCAA to select me as the recipient was such an immense honor.”
The NCCAA Game Plan 4 LIFE award is an honor that is presented to a student-athlete who embodies the Christian qualities of love, integrity, faith and excellence.
Hollingsworth was presented the award at the NCCAA Awards Ceremony on May 17 at Alive Wesleyan Church in Central, S.C.
“It was an exciting experience to share with my team and my family,” said Hollingsworth. “I am so grateful for not just receiving this award, but to have my team there to encourage me as well.”
When Hollingsworth won the award, she served as an English tutor for MACU students and was a member of the English Club, where she contributed articles to the MACU Anglicus Chronicles. Currently, Hollingsworth serves as a Bible study leader for grade school children at Central Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
In her two seasons with MACU, Hollingsworth was a two-time All-Sooner Athletic Conference honoree with an impressive record. On top of her feats on the field, Hollingsworth was named a two-time NCCAA and NAIA Scholar-Athlete while majoring in Secondary English Education at MACU.
“Faith was an incredible leader on our team,” said MACU Head Coach Robert Wakefield. “She was the sort of leader any coach would want on their team and we were very blessed to have her the last two years.”
For all that Hollingsworth accomplished on the field, what she has accomplished off the field has made her all the more special. Currently enrolled in the final semester of her bachelor’s program at MACU, Hollingsworth is currently serving as a student teacher in the Oklahoma City metro. She taught for the Moore Public Schools system this fall and is currently completing a seven-week curriculum at Newcastle High School in Newcastle, Okla. Hollingsworth will graduate with honors in December and plans to pursue a full-time English teaching career at the middle or high school level after graduation.
“MACU was always such a welcoming campus and I love the Christ-centered atmosphere,” said Hollingsworth. “It is an extremely supportive environment. Being on that MACU team was such a fantastic experience because not only did I love my teammates, but it gave me purpose every single day. Being a leader on the squad was extremely rewarding. For me to share winning the National Championship with my teammates in my final game will be a moment I will never forget.”