By Emma Hawkins
Being a student-athlete demands discipline, organization and a structured work ethic. One must balance exams with tournaments and homework with practices and leadership while prioritizing individual output.
Sara Bond is a senior pharmacy student at Samford, as well as a fourth-year pitcher for Samford’s softball team. The pharmacy program is incredibly exclusive, with an elite set of courses that are difficult on their own without any extracurriculars. On top of this, Bond is embedded in her team and consistently present to lead- not an easy balance.
“Balancing pharmacy school and softball is very challenging… (but) this is the life I prayed for and worked hard to pursue,” said Bond.
When the spring semester comes, academics and softball begin to overlap. Bond highlights that she must miss class at least one to two times a week, and is usually late to practice. But through communication with her teachers and coaches, her schedule is able to work.
One professor in particular stands out. Professor Broeseker is in the pharmacy department and has taught and known Bond for several semesters now.
“Sara has a fantastic work ethic… [she] is an extremely respectful, responsible, mature and caring person… and is an outstanding representative of Samford University,” said Broeseker.
Bond’s efforts as a student-athlete are noticed in class as much as they are out. She is noticed for being a teammate in pharmacy school, coinciding with her influence in the softball program.
There is not only an overlap with schedule but also with lessons.
“My professors often reference athletics in class because the lessons sports teach are invaluable,” said Bond.
She knew these values of pharmacy and athletics were ones she wanted and was called to pursue. A close personal experience with a pharmacist and a family member drew her to this career path, and her passion stays persistent.
Bond gives her success as a student-athlete entirely to God and glorifies Him for her talents. She expressed that her spirituality is the most important and prevalent thing in her life, centering God in the middle of all she does.
She said, “The Word of God, pharmacy and softball all emphasize the importance of putting others first, because when you do, your relationships begin to reflect the fruits of the Spirit.”
Sara Bond is a pharmacy student, a softball player and a role model.
She said, “ Being a student-athlete has allowed me to form meaningful connections with so many people, and that is what I am most grateful for.”
