Zac Phillips is a sophomore on the baseball team at Judson University.  He is from Pulaski, Tennessee, and is a pitcher for the Eagles. 

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By Leslie Talley

Judson Sports Information Student Assistant

For 15 years, Zac Phillips has played baseball, and only baseball. He claims his loyalty to the sport is mostly due to not being coordinated enough to play anything else. "I'd trip all over myself," Phillips jokes. Despite his sarcasm, Zac shows his serious side when he states, "There is no better feeling than being in a tough situation (bases loaded and nobody out) and prevailing in the end. There's nothing like making a good hitter look clueless at the plate."

His primary reason for pursuing the game was to make friends, remarking that most of his friends were playing and loved it, so he decided to as well. After a long baseball career, Zac thought it was over after high school, due to some injuries and health problems. "I prayed that if it was God's will then I would play ball again somewhere," he said.

And that's exactly what happened. "I've known Coach Benjamin since I was 12 and I knew he would be a great coach to play for. I had a solid summer season playing in Nicaragua for Athletes in Action and I told Coach that I needed somewhere to play," Phillips said. "In the end it all worked out and I'm very happy with how it is all coming together."

Zac relays how Jesus is his cornerstone in life, stating, "He continually blesses me each day. Whenever I enter a tough period in my life, God never leaves my side. He always pulls me through no matter how big the problem might be." Two of the most positive influences for Zac's walk with the Lord are his father and late grandfather. Phillips shares how these two godly men have taught him much about life and faith.

Adjusting to Judson wasn't as hard a task as Phillips anticipated. He tells that the most important thing he learned was to be self-motivated. In addition, coming onto Judson campus has given Phillips opportunity to make new friends and gain more encouragement. "I think all the people who have come into my life have been a major blessing. This is my third college in three years and for the first time I'm totally comfortable. I love Judson," Phillips remarks.

While not in baseball mode, Zac says he enjoys hanging out. "Anyone will tell you that I have a story for everything and I just love being around my friends and telling them all of my ridiculous stories. I'm surprised they're still my friends," he comments.

Whether it be in the department of baseball, academics, or friends, Judson University proves a good fit for Zac Phillips. Judson was an easy choice because he knew it was where God wanted him. Along the way, there have been struggles, but Phillips claims, "I don't think I would make it through if it weren't for my amazing teammates and friends. Coach Benjamin also helps make my Judson experience [even] better. He's a solid guy to be around."

In this future baseball season, Zac Phillips says he wants to do everything in his power "to help my team win the NAIA World Series." While that may seem a lofty goal, with outlooks like Zac Phillips's, it may just happen.