WILMORE, Ky. --- Asbury Athletics has announced this month's #TeamAU Alumni Feature, presented by KEMI (Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance), highlights a former Asbury student-athlete, Sarah Balkcom, class of 2020. Balkcom was a member of the Asbury Women's Soccer team from 2016-2020.
See Sarah's answers to our questions below!
What were the years of your time at AU?
I was at Asbury from 2016-2020 part of the visionary class.
What was your major and what sport did you play?
I was a Biology and Spanish, with a Chemistry minor and played on the women's soccer team.
How did God use Asbury to impact your life?
As a third-generation Asburian, I grew up knowing Asbury was a special place, but experiencing it firsthand shaped both my faith and career. As a student-athlete, I was challenged academically while also being poured into spiritually. My coaches and professors didn't just teach; they prayed with me, served as mentors and encouraged me to know my "why," trust God's calling, and pursue excellence with humility.
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
My favorite Bible verse is Esther 4:14, this verse has been an anchor through every season. It serves as a reminder that God sees the bigger picture, even when I can't. In medicine and in life, that gives me peace and confidence, knowing He has prepared each of us for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. My role is solely to faithfully step into the calling and to let His will be done.
What is your current occupation?
I'm currently an emergency medicine resident physician (PGY-2) at the University of Alabama-Birmingham
What is your favorite Asbury athletics memory?
It's impossible to choose just one. From my first memories with the team, sleeping in bunk beds and climbing a massive rock (el Penol) in Medellin, Colombia right before the start of pre-season to the locker room shenanigans, the post game Wendy's 4 for $4, the team Bible studies, the 5:30am walks up to the Luce, the team bus catching fire 10min from our hotel and every FFF (Forced Family Fun) in between, I am reminded how special it was to be a part of this team. Through all the highs and lows, my teammates became lifelong friends, and that's what I treasure most.
Why would you encourage anyone to attend Asbury University?
The people. Asbury has a way of building a community that extends far beyond graduation. During some of the most formative years of my life, I was surrounded by people who challenged me to grow in my faith, encouraged me academically, and invested in who I was becoming. Years later, I still see the impact of those relationships, and I know I'll always be proud to be an Asburian.
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