By DAVID SCHERER | Guest Writer
With the start of school just around the corner, most of us are gearing up for another exciting year full of homework, parties and friends back at the Peay. One student, however, has a different agenda.
During the past three years, Ashley Herring has been a vital component in the machine known as the Lady Govs basketball team.
She averaged over 13 points a game, five rebounds, almost 200 career assists and over 100 steals.
In addition, she was named OVC Tournament MVP last season. Also, she led the team in points against the Lady Vols in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
But in her mind, it was all for naught.
“I came in my first year and immediately got drawn to the wrong things. I spent nights partying, drinking; falling into sexually immoral relationships and it took my life to a very dark place. I entered a phase of depression, guilt and shame to where I simply existed and had lost complete happiness in school and basketball.”
But it was at this stage she finally found solace in her relationship with God.
“It was at that low point that I asked God to touch me and help me and He did. He gave me a new beginning and joy that I’ve never experienced in life before,” Herring said.
“That’s why I am standing in my decision because I know how faithful He has been in my life and I trust Him.”
This year would be her fourth and final season in a Lady Gov uniform; instead she decided she has a very different calling, the ministry. During the summer, Herring was able to take part in a program geared toward discovering whether the ministry was her true calling, “The most honest reason I could give anyone as to why I left is because God spoke to me to give Him that time.”
When asked about whether or not her teammates and coaches supported her decision, she received mixed opinions.
“Many people who I had to tell about my decision did not understand. Some were supportive and some were not. Many feel like I made the wrong decision or that my gift of basketball was an opportunity to reach others and glorify God,” Herring said.
“But the beauty in my life now is that I can finally live to not lean to my own understanding or the understanding of anyone else.” TAS
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