MY LETU STORY: Maddie Flanery

NOTE: This is part of a series on letuathletics.com with feature stories written by senior student-athletes about their time at LeTourneau and the impact it has made on them.

By: Maddie Flanery | Sr. | Softball

Being a LeTourneau YellowJacket was not part of my plan, but the Lord has worked in my life through this program in incredible ways. 

My time at LeTourneau University has taught me what it means to truly trust the Lord with my life, and to live joyfully and abundantly through Him.

In high school, I did not intend to be a collegiate student athlete. When I got an offer to play softball at LeTourneau University, I had no idea what amazing opportunities the Lord was about to reveal to me. 

Playing softball for LeTourneau and being a YellowJacket has completely changed my life. It has opened the door to a community that has become a second family to me. The coaches at LeTourneau University are driven to not only make you a better athlete, but to also show you the love of Jesus. My softball coaches have pushed me to be the best athlete I can be and have taught me what it means to be a Christian leader. 

I have always loved softball, but somehow that love grew every year that I played at this school. The friendships that I have made at LeTourneau through the softball team are ones that I know will last forever. The love that I share with my team is something I had never experienced before, and it has been the biggest blessing.

LeTourneau also allowed me to find my passion for sports and health through the kinesiology department. My professors have shown compassion and support when I have needed it the most and helped me pursue excellence in my academic career. My classes have pushed me and prepared me for my career so that I can be excellent at doing what I love. 

The summer after my sophomore year, my coach encouraged me to attend The Player’s Conference, where female student athletes met to study scripture and learn how to be leaders that reflect Christ. That amazing experience taught me so much and introduced me to FCA. The following semester, I was given the opportunity to be involved in the leadership team for LeTourneau’s FCA. The fellowship that this club has provided for me and its other athletes demonstrates the fruitful community that LeTourneau culminates. 

When I came to LeTourneau my freshman year, I did not know what it meant to truly follow Jesus. I knew He was my Savior, but I did not know how to apply that to my life, to my career, or to my sport. Being a LeTourneau YellowJacket revealed that to me immediately. I quickly learned that being a student athlete is a blessing, and that the Lord calls us to glorify him with our talents. This is what I believe makes LeTourneau so different from everywhere else. I am so incredibly grateful that God placed me at LeTourneau University. 

Being a LeTourneau YellowJacket has meant so much to me, and the experience that this program has given me is something that I will cherish forever.

Maddie Flanery #7