Mallory Baker and Steven Coffelt have spent their entire college careers dedicated to playing their prospective sports. Nearing the middle of their senior year, both athletes intend to make the most of their last season playing the sports they love.
Baker, senior exercise science major, is a member of the Union University women’s volleyball team. She came to Union in 2011 from Milford, Ohio. The opportunity to play volleyball and the faith-based atmosphere of the university attracted her to Union initially.
“I really wanted to use my volleyball talents at a faith-based school that would challenge me both in the sport and my faith,” said Baker.
Volleyball has been a huge part of Baker’s life for several years now. She began playing volleyball competitively nine years ago. Baker continued playing all through high school which led her to playing at the collegiate level.
While at Union, Baker has received several recognitions for her playing abilities in volleyball. For the 2014 season, she received the Gulf South Academic Honor Roll award and the Division II ADA Academic Achievement award.
“Aside from playing a sport that I love, my favorite part about playing volleyball at Union has been the relationships I have made along the way,” Baker said. “I know that I have made life-long friends that I could never replace thanks to volleyball.”
In addition to playing volleyball competitively, Baker enjoys playing tennis and sand volleyball for fun. She also loves watching basketball and is a huge fan of the Belmont University basketball team. Baker’s older brother Brandon was a member of the Belmont basketball team and graduated in 2013.
Baker has been very involved while at Union beyond playing volleyball. She is a member of Sigma Delta, has been on several GO trips, and is an active member of Fellowship Bible Church in Jackson, Tenn.
Steven Coffelt
Steven Coffelt, senior business management major, is a member of the Union University men’s golf team and has been since his freshmen year. A native of Tullahoma, Tennessee, Coffelt attended Tullahoma High School and was a member of the men’s golf team for four years.
The atmosphere and the ability to play golf influenced Coffelt’s decision to come to Union.
Coffelt has been playing golf competitively for the past eight years. While in high school, he won several tournaments in the Middle Tennessee area. During his career at Union, Coffelt has won two all-tournament awards, finished fifth overall last season and placed third in his most recent golf match.
Coffelt enjoys many aspects of being on a team besides his love for golf.
“Beyond playing the sport, getting to know all the players that come through the team is really cool,” Coffelt said. “Having a bond with teammates and coaches is something pretty special.”
In addition to playing golf for Union, Coffelt is heavily involved with extra-curricular activities as an active member of the national fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Upon graduation, Coffelt aspires to work for the golf industry. He would love to run a golf business or be an assistant golf pro. Other professional interests include working for a bank and making his way up the professional ladder from there.
