Alumni Play at Big 12
Liberty seeks to mold and develop the whole child, students who are spiritually grounded and well-rounded in academics, the arts, and athletics. Liberty Life magazine interviewed four alumni who are currently performing with excellence in all areas at a Big 12 school and play for the University of Oklahoma. Ben Habern is the center on the Sooner’s football team, Ashley Kowalewski is a pole-vaulter for OU’s track and field team, Whitney Hand is a guard on the women’s basketball team, and Elliott Blair is an outfielder on OU’s baseball team. These alumni write about their passion and success in athletics, they provide advice to Liberty students wanting to play at the collegiate level, and they describe how Liberty prepared them for their college career.
What is it like playing for a Big 12 school?
Ben: The Big 12 is one of the biggest conferences in the nation. It has a tremendous amount of tradition and legacy. I feel very special knowing that I get to be a part of something that is so much bigger than just one person, team, or school.
Ashley: The coaches are very intense, and are not only concerned with our development as athletes, but academically as students too. As a freshman, I am required to log 10 study hall hours a week. They are very concerned with our grades.
Whitney: It is such a privilege playing for such a power conference. From the gear to the national recognition, it makes working that hard very rewarding and fun … plus, it is the best competition you can find.
Elliott: Growing up, every young athlete dreams of playing college sports for a perennial powerhouse. I’m fortunate enough to be living that dream. Playing in the Big 12 forces you to stay at the top of your game every day. During my career at OU, I’ve played against several players that are already playing Major League Baseball and hundreds more who are working their way through the minor league levels. Throughout my years here at OU, I’ve also become friends with other big-time athletes like Blake Griffin and Sam Bradford. We have so many talented athletes here that it’s fun to see who will be the next professional superstar from OU.
What is your advice to a Liberty athlete who wants to play at the college level?
Ben: My advice would be to push through your obstacles and trials and know that most importantly, you are working for is your Father in Heaven over any sport.
Ashley: Work hard, but remember it is not for your glory, but for God’s. Sports should never become an idol in your life. Sports should be a way for you to praise God with the gifts in which He has blessed you. You are not out there to win the competition; you are there to win people to Jesus. In my case, I am not there to jump high because that is not my purpose in life – my purpose is to know Him and make Him known.
Whitney: Get yourself out there! Liberty does a great job, plus there are millions of opportunities to get yourself seen if you are willing to seek them out.
Elliott: First, have fun in high school. Don’t let your time at Liberty fly by you, and don’t be in a rush to graduate. Enjoy every part of it.
Secondly, relentlessly pursue perfection. No matter how good you think you are, there is someone who is better than you. No matter how much work you put in to prepare for a game, someone is working harder than you. Do everything in your power to refine every aspect of your game, even the little things, and that way you’ll stand out among the other athletes in your recruiting class.
Thirdly, make sure you like the school for reasons other than their athletic programs. You’ve got to like the town, the campus, the atmosphere, and everything about the school.
Fourthly, go where you are wanted. Make sure the coaches really want you and that you are a good fit for their program.
Fifthly, build a strong foundation. Make sure you know where you stand in your beliefs and morals before you step foot on a college campus. Don’t ever compromise what you stand for, and you will earn people’s respect.
How did Liberty prepare you athletically, academically, and spiritually to succeed after high school?
Ben: I was extremely blessed to go to such an amazing school like Liberty. Coming to college, I was definitely academically prepared. Liberty did a great job helping us understand the right way to do things in school and to work hard on our assignments. Most importantly, as a Christian in a giant public university, it can get really tough when we are tested with decisions. However, Liberty made me realize that the most important thing over anything else is my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I love how Liberty is one big giant family, and we care about each other and want the best for everyone. 
Ashley: I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better preparation from any high school on this planet. I was almost too ready for college, if that’s even possible. Athletically, my coaches were the best ever. College is no match for graduates of Liberty Christian who take themselves seriously and want to be the best they can possibly be at all times, not to please themselves or anyone else, but for the glory of God.
Whitney: Athletically, I was formed into the leader that the Lord was preparing me to be on an even larger stage. Academically, I felt almost over prepared. The expectations of professors made college a cakewalk to me because that is how classes were at Liberty. Spiritually, Liberty did a great job preparing me for what life had in store for me here. Without the foundation that Liberty and all of the people within Liberty provided, I may still be trying to figure out why I am here and miss what the Lord has for me right at this moment. 
Elliott: My first year at OU was a breeze academically. Liberty did an incredible job preparing me for college courses. The academics at Liberty are so strong that you don’t even realize the quality of education you are receiving until you get to college. As an athlete at Liberty, I had the greatest coaches that I’ve ever been able to play under. The fact that the coaches at Liberty place an emphasis on developing your character and teaching you life lessons shows how much the coaches really care about their players. Having been at Liberty from third grade until graduation really set me up for success after high school because of the spiritual foundation that had been instilled in me from a young age. I knew that no matter what happened, no matter where I ended up, no matter what I was doing, as long as I kept God in the center of my life and put Him first, He would protect me and guide my path. There are so many ups and downs in a season, so many emotional highs and so many lows that it’s important to be able to lean on the Rock and know that the Holy Spirit will be your Comforter. Without a doubt, the most important thing that Liberty developed in my life was a stronger relationship with God.