From Student to Teacher
2/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
For the last several years, the NCAA has been emphasizing the concept of the student-athlete to the general public, but the Liberty women's basketball team seems to have things down pat. Not only have the Lady Flames built a dynasty in the Big South Conference, but the squad has ranked among the nation's top 25 teams in grade-point average for three years in a row. Senior guard Rachel Hammond has led the charge, carrying a 3.95 GPA and reading philosophy commentaries for enjoyment, in between nailing three-pointers and racking up steals on the court.
Hammond, a three-time Big South Presidential Honor Roll member, cites a simple key to her classroom success at Liberty. "Once I get myself to the library, it's easy to do well. It's so peaceful and quiet there. The key is just taking the initiative to actually go there."
Not all of Hammond's lessons have come so easily, however. The Clearwater, Fla., native was one of the top girls' basketball players in the Sunshine State as a senior. Hammond helped Clearwater High School go 114-14 on the hardwood during her four years of high school and was tabbed the 2004-05 Florida Class 5A Player of the Year.
When Hammond arrived on campus for her first semester, though, she quickly came to the realization that all of her teammates, including her five fellow freshmen, had also been high school standouts. Not everyone would be able to maintain the same starring role for the Lady Flames.
Hammond's career has included numerous highlights, including a berth on the 2006 Big South Championship all-tournament team, after leading the Lady Flames to their 10th straight conference title. However, she admits that basketball has been a struggle for the most part. But her struggles have also been educational experiences.
"Struggling individually has been a mechanism to trigger a lot of searching for God and focusing my attention on Him," observed Hammond. "This experience has really helped me to grow in my faith."
A true student of history, Hammond has also learned not to her repeat past mistakes. "As a junior, I put too many expectations upon myself and was disappointed. This season, I reminded myself that I'm not going to suddenly contribute more, just because I'm now a senior."
As a result of this revised outlook, Hammond admits that she has been able to find love and enjoyment for the game of basketball once again. This is a lesson which has been reinforced by the Lady Flames' large infusion of new players this season.
Light-hearted, fun-loving newcomers like Brittany Campbell, Amber Mays and Avery Warley have impacted Hammond, who believes, "I've learned so much more from our younger players than they've learned from me. They've changed me for the good and helped to loosen me up a bit."
With less self-imposed pressure weighing down on her shoulders, Hammond has turned up the pressure on opponents throughout the first half of her senior campaign. A regular starter for the first time in her collegiate career, Hammond has resided among the Big South leaders in steals all season. Hammond's scoring, rebounding and assist averages are also the highest of her time at Liberty.
Such production has been a necessity for a Lady Flame squad, which has been decimated by injuries this season. Hammond and her fellow veterans helped the team maintain composure during its period of adversity and an uncharacteristic 1-6 start to the year.
"Our team morale stayed up, even when we were losing," explained Hammond. "We were still trying to make improvements and stay in the process. We knew we were getting better at certain things, and we weren't looking at the final score as the tell-all sign of how we were doing."
Hustle and an impeccable work ethic have been the most consistent part of Hammond's game throughout her career. These qualities, which have made Hammond a fan favorite at the Vines Center from day one, are among those the senior attributes to her parents, another important pair of teachers during Hammond's life, on and off the court.
Hammond, who has worn No. 22 on her basketball jersey since her AAU days because she saw her father James donning the same number in his high school yearbook, has learned to be part of a sizable team from birth. Long before she was one of six incoming Liberty women's basketball freshmen in 2005, Hammond grew up as one of six children.
Hammond had older siblings and more experienced teammates to emulate as she matured, but the life-long student has now begun to tackle more of a teaching role herself. She was voted one of the captains on this season's women's basketball team, giving Hammond an appropriate preparation for her chosen profession.
The Floridian debated among several majors after arriving at Liberty, before eventually settling upon social science. Her career objective is to be a high school history teacher, because Hammond greatly appreciates all of the education which has been imparted to her in various forms.
"Much of my searching and greatest learning has taken place within the academic realm," stated Hammond. "So, I see teaching as a platform to pass those things along to others."
Hammond will complete her preparation for becoming a teacher this coming fall, by completing her student teaching. However, she still has a few more things to take care of on the court before initiating her professional life.
"I want to be as poised as I've ever been for the remainder of my senior season," noted Hammond. "I want to help this team by playing to the best of my potential."
Even though she will probably not appear in one of the NCAA's "student-athlete" commercials anytime soon, Hammond has provided a great example of how the same character qualities of hard work, dedication and persistence can lead to success on the field of play, inside the classroom and beyond college. These lessons have been gleaned from numerous teachers throughout Hammond's life, and now she aims to pass them on to future generations.
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Paul Carmany is an assistant athletics communications director for Liberty University who has covered women's basketball for three seasons.
Hammond, a three-time Big South Presidential Honor Roll member, cites a simple key to her classroom success at Liberty. "Once I get myself to the library, it's easy to do well. It's so peaceful and quiet there. The key is just taking the initiative to actually go there."
Not all of Hammond's lessons have come so easily, however. The Clearwater, Fla., native was one of the top girls' basketball players in the Sunshine State as a senior. Hammond helped Clearwater High School go 114-14 on the hardwood during her four years of high school and was tabbed the 2004-05 Florida Class 5A Player of the Year.
When Hammond arrived on campus for her first semester, though, she quickly came to the realization that all of her teammates, including her five fellow freshmen, had also been high school standouts. Not everyone would be able to maintain the same starring role for the Lady Flames.
Hammond's career has included numerous highlights, including a berth on the 2006 Big South Championship all-tournament team, after leading the Lady Flames to their 10th straight conference title. However, she admits that basketball has been a struggle for the most part. But her struggles have also been educational experiences.
"Struggling individually has been a mechanism to trigger a lot of searching for God and focusing my attention on Him," observed Hammond. "This experience has really helped me to grow in my faith."
A true student of history, Hammond has also learned not to her repeat past mistakes. "As a junior, I put too many expectations upon myself and was disappointed. This season, I reminded myself that I'm not going to suddenly contribute more, just because I'm now a senior."
As a result of this revised outlook, Hammond admits that she has been able to find love and enjoyment for the game of basketball once again. This is a lesson which has been reinforced by the Lady Flames' large infusion of new players this season.
Light-hearted, fun-loving newcomers like Brittany Campbell, Amber Mays and Avery Warley have impacted Hammond, who believes, "I've learned so much more from our younger players than they've learned from me. They've changed me for the good and helped to loosen me up a bit."
With less self-imposed pressure weighing down on her shoulders, Hammond has turned up the pressure on opponents throughout the first half of her senior campaign. A regular starter for the first time in her collegiate career, Hammond has resided among the Big South leaders in steals all season. Hammond's scoring, rebounding and assist averages are also the highest of her time at Liberty.
Such production has been a necessity for a Lady Flame squad, which has been decimated by injuries this season. Hammond and her fellow veterans helped the team maintain composure during its period of adversity and an uncharacteristic 1-6 start to the year.
"Our team morale stayed up, even when we were losing," explained Hammond. "We were still trying to make improvements and stay in the process. We knew we were getting better at certain things, and we weren't looking at the final score as the tell-all sign of how we were doing."
Hustle and an impeccable work ethic have been the most consistent part of Hammond's game throughout her career. These qualities, which have made Hammond a fan favorite at the Vines Center from day one, are among those the senior attributes to her parents, another important pair of teachers during Hammond's life, on and off the court.
Hammond, who has worn No. 22 on her basketball jersey since her AAU days because she saw her father James donning the same number in his high school yearbook, has learned to be part of a sizable team from birth. Long before she was one of six incoming Liberty women's basketball freshmen in 2005, Hammond grew up as one of six children.
Hammond had older siblings and more experienced teammates to emulate as she matured, but the life-long student has now begun to tackle more of a teaching role herself. She was voted one of the captains on this season's women's basketball team, giving Hammond an appropriate preparation for her chosen profession.
The Floridian debated among several majors after arriving at Liberty, before eventually settling upon social science. Her career objective is to be a high school history teacher, because Hammond greatly appreciates all of the education which has been imparted to her in various forms.
"Much of my searching and greatest learning has taken place within the academic realm," stated Hammond. "So, I see teaching as a platform to pass those things along to others."
Hammond will complete her preparation for becoming a teacher this coming fall, by completing her student teaching. However, she still has a few more things to take care of on the court before initiating her professional life.
"I want to be as poised as I've ever been for the remainder of my senior season," noted Hammond. "I want to help this team by playing to the best of my potential."
Even though she will probably not appear in one of the NCAA's "student-athlete" commercials anytime soon, Hammond has provided a great example of how the same character qualities of hard work, dedication and persistence can lead to success on the field of play, inside the classroom and beyond college. These lessons have been gleaned from numerous teachers throughout Hammond's life, and now she aims to pass them on to future generations.
-----
Paul Carmany is an assistant athletics communications director for Liberty University who has covered women's basketball for three seasons.
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