September 21,  2023

Serve > Train > Compete Feature I Presented by Kessinger Lee

WILMORE, Ky.— Asbury Athletics is committed to providing student-athletes an opportunity to serve, train, and compete through college athletics for the glory of God. The Kessinger Lee sponsored Serve > Train > Compete Feature aims to highlight Asbury student-athletes pursuing this mission. 

Kessinger Lee presents Jackson Cole as the Serve > Train > Compete featured student-athlete.

Jackson Cole I Special Education | Gr. | Mount Eden, Ky.

Jackson is a graduate student at AU studying special education. He graduated undergraduate with a major in Health/Physical Education. He embodies the vision of Asbury University Athletics to use the platform of college athletics to share the light of Christ and compete for His glory. 

Jackson has exemplified SERVE by serving at the Miracle League in Lexington and by being active in different Southland Church events.

He represents TRAIN by his consistent hard-work on the baseball field and pushing his teammates to be the best they can be.

Jackson reflects COMPETE with his competitive spirit both on the mound, and in the field. He was a 2023 Captain and was named to the 2022 NCCAA MidEast All Region team.

• What does serving, training, and competing for the glory of God mean to you?

Serving, training, and competing for the glory of God to me means I get to use my skillset to build relationships through the game or baseball. I have been grateful to meet many people through this sport at AU. It’s a privilege to compete with my brothers and chase goals together. I am looking forward for this year to compete one last season and lead our group of guys in hopes to win another regional championship and have a shot at the NCCAA championship. 

• Who are some of the coaches, faculty and staff that have impacted you at AU?

Manny Cervantes has inspired me as a baseball player and as a man. He has helped me grow spiritually and been a mentor to me. Coach Cervantes is one of the few coaches that I have played for that has cared more about who I am as a person than who I am as a player.

Chad Mayes is another person who has impacted my time at AU. I got the chance to go to Puerto Rico and serve in the summer of 2022 and work with him and LYNC8 project. This trip helped me grow in my faith, as I got to serve with Coach Mayes and other AU athletes while getting to repair/build homes.

Colton Back is another person who has impacted me in my time at AU. He has been a great teammate, friend and mentor in my 4 years at Asbury. He is someone who I have looked up to since I arrived as freshman. I’ve tried to treat others how he has treated me while also having the fight and the competitiveness that he had on the playing field.

• How have you grown spiritually during your time at Asbury?

I have grown in my faith tremendously at Asbury. Different events with baseball such as team church, working Miracle League, and going to bible studies at Southland have helped challenge me in becoming a better Christian. Also, being around different people with similar beliefs has helped me to stay consistent and continue in my growth. 

• What advice would you give to new student-athletes coming to Asbury?

Advice I would give to new student-athletes coming to Asbury is be where your feet are and enjoy each day. There will be good days and bad days, but everything that happens is a part of God’s plan. Go compete in your sport and do whatever it takes to be successful.