Posted on Friday, February 09, 2024
Senior Zac Hill, whose falling grades in his first year pushed him to work harder to get back on track, would say to freshmen that it is not about how you start, but how you finish.
“Never count yourself out,” he said. “As long as you're breathing and able, you can find some way to succeed.”
Fear can often get in the way of our ability to excel, according to Hill.
“If we place the notion that something is impossible without even trying, then we are failing ourselves,” he said.
Hill’s basketball experience has taught him how to dig deep when the odds are stacked against you.
“Success is only achievable when you give your all and believe in yourself,” he said.
Hill has grown tremendously as a player and leader in the five years he has been at the college, according to Men’s Basketball Coach Kendal Wallace.
“He has become a role model for his teammates,” Wallace said.
After knee surgery took Hill out this season, he found other ways to be involved with the sport he loves.
“He has done an amazing job of working with our forwards,” Wallace said. “Zac learned early on that if you don’t come with strength and a focused mindset, you won’t get very far in the paint.”
As a Sports Management major, Hill has had the opportunity to serve at major sporting events, including as a security consultant at a PGA golf tournament.
“He is a dedicated student who is always willing to put in the work,” said Sports Management Associate Professor Dr. Clay Bolton. “Zac is passionate about being a servant leader on campus and in the community. Overall, Zac represents the best of us at LaGrange College.”
During his senior year, Hill has been taking on new endeavors on campus, including a role in last fall’s Theatre production of “Take It From The Top” and presenting a sermon at Spiritual Life’s Sunday night Chapel service.
“I’ve always been a person that tries new things and have always believed that I could do anything I put my mind to with the help of God,” he said.
Hill’s message during the Chapel service focused on being difference makers.
“Don’t let the world change you,” he said. “Change it.”
Hill, who is open to sharing his faith, said he was honored to deliver a message to the campus community and is willing to present again if another opportunity comes along.
“Faith is a big foundation in my life,” he said. “I’m not perfect, but I strive to live a righteous lifestyle as the Bible teaches.”
After graduation, Hill wants to be a basketball coach.
“I would like to preach and teach to those around me and help the youth become their best selves,” he said.
The experiences that have helped him grow as a person are what he will remember the most about LC, he said.
“I’ve learned how to persevere and be positive when things don’t go as planned.”
What would he say to prospective students interested in coming to the college?
“You will find a family, whether it be classmates, teammates, lunch ladies, counselors or a caring professor,” he said. “This is a great place to learn about yourself and what you may need to succeed as an adult."
The History of Black Greek-Letter Organizations at LaGrange College
Tuesday, Feb. 13
11:10 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Tokens of Love
Tuesday, Feb. 13
11:15 a.m., Bailey Room
Stress Less, Live More
Tuesday, Feb. 13
4 p.m., Bailey Room
Dancing at Lughnasa
Wednesday, Feb. 14-Friday, Feb. 16
7 p.m., Price Theater
NFL Concussion Lawsuit
Thursday, Feb. 15
11 a.m., Corn Auditorium
“Dancing at Lughnasa” at Price Theater Feb. 14-16
The memory play tells the story of five unmarried sisters eking out a living outside a small village in Donegal County, Ireland. It is narrated by the grown son of one of the sisters.
Athletics
Terlynn Olds, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation, was recently announced as one of three alumni who will be inducted into the Saint Leo University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Men’s Basketball
The Panthers lost to Maryville 97–77 on Friday, Feb. 2, and beat Berea the following day 87-69. LaGrange will host Covenant on Friday, Feb. 9 (today), at 7 p.m. and Piedmont on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 4 p.m. for Senior Day.
Women’s Basketball
This past week, LC dropped its two away games to Maryville and Berea. The team also played Agnes Scott on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at home and won 85-57. The Panthers take on Covenant on Friday, Feb. 9 (today), at 5 p.m. Senior Day is on Saturday, Feb. 10, for the final home game of the regular season. LC will tip off against Piedmont at 2 p.m.
Men’s Tennis
The Panthers will host their first game at the newly resurfaced Greer Tennis Courts on Friday, Feb. 9 (today), at 5 p.m. against Birmingham-Southern. The following day, the team will travel to Alabama to play Coastal Alabama Monroeville on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m.
Women’s Tennis
LaGrange will hit the road to compete against Coastal Alabama Monroeville on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. The team will have their first home game on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m.
Lacrosse
LC travels to Rome on Saturday, Feb. 10, to face Berry College at 11 a.m. The following day, the Panthers will play another game that will be announced after the Berry match. The team will also be on the road for the game against Point on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Softball
The Panthers open the 2024 season with two home games against Rhodes on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m., and noon. Sunday’s game against MUW has been postponed until further notice. The team hits the road to face Birmingham-Southern on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Beach Volleyball
LaGrange begins its season with an away match against Emmanuel at Truett McConnell on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 9 a.m. Following this game, the Panthers will play Truett McConnell at 1 p.m. The team will also travel to Alabama to face Huntingdon on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 5:30 p.m.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, Feb. 9 – Women’s Basketball (Home) vs. Covenant, 5 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Friday, Feb. 9 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Birmingham-Southern, 5 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Friday, Feb. 9 – Men’s Basketball (Home) vs. Covenant, 7 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Saturday, Feb. 10 – Beach Volleyball at Truett McConnell, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Cleveland, Georgia
Saturday, Feb. 10 – Lacrosse at Berry, 11 a.m., Rome, Georgia
Saturday, Feb. 10 – Softball (Home) vs. Rhodes, 10 a.m. and noon, LC Softball Complex
Saturday, Feb. 10 – Women’s Basketball (Home) vs. Piedmont, 2 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Saturday, Feb. 10 – Men’s Tennis at Coastal Alabama, 2 p.m., Monroeville, Alabama
Saturday, Feb. 10 – Women’s Tennis at Coastal Alabama, 2 p.m., Monroeville, Alabama
Saturday, Feb. 10 – Men’s Basketball (Home) vs. Piedmont, 4 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Tuesday, Feb. 13 – Women’s Basketball at Wesleyan, 5 p.m., Macon, Georgia
Tuesday, Feb. 13 – Beach Volleyball at Huntingdon, 5:30 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama
Wednesday, Feb. 14 – Softball at Birmingham-Southern, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Birmingham, Alabama
Wednesday, Feb. 14 – Lacrosse at Point, 5 p.m., West Point, Georgia
LaGrange College to present “Dancing at Lughnasa,” LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 8
Category: Students, Academics
Keywords: Athletics, Theatre, Chapel
