The Athletic Department of Arlington Baptist University endeavors to prepare men and women for Christian life by integrating faith to develop them academically, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Arlington Baptist University Athletics will enable student athletes to become champions on and off the field by modeling a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rod Reed Sport: Basketball Position: Point Guard Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies Years at ABU: 2009-2014
Awards: 2011-2012 NCCAA Southwest 2nd Team All-Region 2011-2012 ACCA All-American 2012-2013 NCCAA Southwest All-Region Team 2012-2013 ACCA All-American 2012-2013 NCCAA National Tournament Team 2012-2013 NCCAA Southwest Region Champion 2012-2013 NCCAA National Champion Runner-up 4 Year Team Captain
Why did you choose Arlington Baptist University? “I chose ABU because of basketball. I saw an opportunity to play at the college level and also help build a men’s basketball program.”
What impact did ABU have on your life? “ABU has made a huge impact on my life because that’s where I accepted Christ as my Savior. I had professors that truly and genuinely cared about my life, not just my grades. I thank Ms. Downey, Mrs. Massingill, Josh Moody and Coach McDaniel for always being there; holding me accountable, challenging me spiritually to grow and be a better young man. I have made plenty of friends but most importantly a brotherly bond with my former teammates at ABU.”
Where they are now… “I am now a secondary teacher/coach at Wichita Christian School in Wichita Falls, Tx. I teach Government, Economics, World Geography, and U.S. History. I am a Varsity coach for football, and girls basketball, as well as head coach for junior high boys and girls basketball. I have a profound joy for teaching and coaching. I know God has called me to be a mentor and have an impact on a lot of young guys and girls, just like my teachers/coaches did for me. I enjoy serving my students/players and hopefully, I’ll get a call from them one day saying how much they appreciated me pouring into their lives. God has blessed me in so many ways, and now on His platform I get to tell others what He has done in my life.”
Alumni Spotlight: Amanda Carlson
Amanda Carlson
Sport: Volleyball
Position: Middle Blocker/Right Side
Degree: Bible/Education EC-6
Years at ABU: 2010-2014
Awards:
2011 NCCAA Southwest All- Region Honorable Mention
August 20-26, 2011 NCCAA Student Player of the Week
2013 NCCAA Southwest All-Region
2013 ACCA All-American
2014 NCCAA Southwest All-Region Honorable Mention
2012 ACCA National Champions
2013 NCCAA Southwest Region Champion
Why did you choose Arlington Baptist University?
“I chose to attend ABU to continue my love of playing volleyball, to be a part of an amazing education program, and to further my walk with Christ.”
What impact did ABU have on your life?
“ABU has impacted and changed my life in so many great ways! I got to walk away with lifelong friends and amazing memories. I also owe it to the education program for preparing me in becoming a teacher. Everything I know and have used in my teaching career, I learned from the amazing professors in the education department.”
Where they are now…
“I am about to start my second year of teaching in a kindergarten classroom and I am moving to Corpus Christi, Texas.”
Alumni Spotlight: Tori Sanders
Tori (Wise) Sanders
Sport: Basketball
Position: Guard
Degree: Bible/Interdisciplinary Studies
Years at ABU: 2014-2016
Awards:
2014-2015 Southwest All Region Team
2015-2016 Southwest All Region Team
Student Athlete of the Week
2015 ACCA Scholar Athlete
2015 NCCAA Scholar Athlete
2016 ACCA Scholar Athlete
2016 NCCAA Scholar Athlete
2012-2013 ACCA National Runner-up
2013-2014 ACCA National Runner-up
2013-2014 NCCAA National Runner-up
2014-2015 ACCA National Champions
2014-2015 NCCAA National Champions
2015-2016 ACCA National Champions
2015-2016 NCCAA National Champion
Salutatorian of 2016 Graduating Class
Why did you choose Arlington Baptist University?
“I was recruited by a few different schools in the DFW area. After visiting the different colleges, I felt like God was leading me to ABU.”
What impact did ABU have on your life?
“It changed my values in life. I made forever friends and met my husband at Arlington Baptist. The most important impact ABU had on my life is I found the Lord during my first semester of school and grew in a personal relationship with him.”
Where they are now…
“I am a Senior Customer Service Representative at Packaging Corporation of America in Plano, Texas. I have been married to my husband, Trent, for over a year now. We are expecting a baby girl, Presley, in early November. We are also in the process of having our dream home built.”
Alumni Spotlight: Christian Bare
(L-R) Christian Bare and Phillip Nwakamma
Christian Bare
Sport: Basketball
Position: Guard
Degree: Bible/Education with a concentration in 7-12 Social Studies
Years at ABU: 2011-2016
Awards:
2012-2016 Dean’s List
2012-2013 NCCAA National Runner-up
2013-2014 ACCA National Champion
2013-2014 NCCAA National Runner-Up
2014-2015 ACCA National Champion
Why did you choose Arlington Baptist University?
“I chose ABU to stay close to home, to get a college degree, and for an opportunity to play college basketball.”
What impact did ABU have on your life?
“ABU has impacted my life in unbelievable ways. I am the founding athletic director and head boys basketball coach for R.W.G.S.T.E.M. Academy here in Arlington. I had the amazing opportunity while at Arlington to complete my student teaching at Kennedale High School under varsity coach Doug Groff. God has impacted my life in such a positive way, through my mentor teacher, Dr. Massingill, Coach McDaniel, Dr. Moody, and my best friend/teammate, Phillip Nwakamma.”
Where they are now…
“I just got married on June 22nd. I met my wife, Ashley, while I was a student at ABU. I am thankful I get to work with her at R.W.G. S.T.E.M. Academy where she is the cheerleading coach.”
