Camry Sturdivant continued to have faith even as the doubt crept in.
As the days passed and Sturdivant counted down to the end of her Columbus High School soccer career, she wondered if she was going to realize her goal to play soccer in college. But Sturdivant said she leaned on her faith and believed God would help her find a school where she could study and continue to play the game she loves.
Sturdivant’s confidence paid off Tuesday, when she signed a scholarship to play soccer at Judson College, a private, four-year, Christian college in Marion, Alabama.
“At the end of the soccer year, I got pretty doubtful (about her chances of playing soccer in college),” Sturdivant said. “With God, anything is possible. I always dreamed about it and I prayed about it, and God answered my prayer.”
Sturdivant has been playing soccer for nine to 10 years. She came up through the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority (CLRA) leagues and played competitive soccer with Columbus United. She said soccer always has been fun and it made her happy. She said she always has felt it would be something she would do for the rest of her life.
“When I play soccer, I feel happy, I feel relieved, and I feel God has given me the ability to play, so whatever talent He has given me I need to use it and broadcast it,” Sturdivant said.
Sturdivant said it was a “blessing” to make contact with Judson College women’s soccer coach Justin Pino’. She said she was excited to go on her visit and had the confidence Judson College was the right place for her. She said the calm feeling she had on the trip carried her through the training session and allowed her to make a great impression.
Columbus High School girls soccer coach James Rush coached Sturdivant for the last two seasons. He said she was a team leader on and off the field who has tremendous leg strength that allows her to play a variety of positions.
“She is real coachable and is just a good kid, and real smart,” Rush said. “They are getting a steal.”
Rush said Sturdivant’s knowledge of the game enabled her to play several positions. He feels she will have to work on her footwork to help her transition to the next level, so he isn’t sure where she might be best suited to play. Sturdivant was a captain the last two seasons.
“When I wasn’t there or one of the other coaches wasn’t around, she would make sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to do,” Rush said. “That is what makes her so coachable because she knows what you want her to do and she works hard to get it done.”
Pino’ said he found Sturdivant on one of the recruiting websites he frequents to keep track of players who might be interested in the school, which offers degree programs in liberal arts and the sciences. Pino’, who completed his third season as head coach in 2016 with an 8-5 record, said it is important to find the right players who want to attend a Christian school, so he invited Sturdivant to come to Marion, Alabama, for a visit and to participate in a training session. He said he liked what he saw and offered Sturdivant a scholarship.
Judson College is a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Its basketball, equestrian, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball teams compete across the Southeast.
“She ended up really enjoying it,” Pino’ said. “I was really, really, really happy with the kind of person she is, and I saw a lot of potential. I thought she would be a fantastic fit.”
Sturdivant has been one of Columbus High’s leading scorers for the last two seasons. This season, she played a number of different positions, including forward and outside midfielder. Pino’ said he isn’t sure where Sturdivant will play, but he is confident she will be able to adjust to a new group of players, his style of play, and the team’s training sessions.
“She passed the test, and I think she fit in really well with the girls,” Pino’ said. “That is one of the things I like to see, how they mingle and intermix with the players that are already there. It seemed like she was a really good fit with all of that.”
Pino’ said Sturdivant is the first player he has signed from the state of Mississippi.
Sturdivant, who is an Honor Roll student, said she might study secondary education and minor in religious studies. She said she is considering becoming a teacher and a coach and mentoring student-athletes in soccer, volleyball, and cheer, the sports she participated in at Columbus High.
Sturdivant said the challenge she faces moving to college is “never underestimating her opponent,” which is something that might pertain to all of the coaches who didn’t extend a scholarship offer to her to play soccer at their schools.
“Don’t think you have it under control. Always work harder,” Sturdivant said. “Always do your best and always try to be the best.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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