The Messiah softball season begins on Feb. 23 when they travel to Methodist University for a double-header. Messiah is coming off a remarkable 2016 campaign finishing with an overall record of 47-6, they claimed their fourth MAC Commonwealth Championship Title, fifth NCAA Regional Title, and finished as the NCAA Division III National Runner-Up falling to the University of Texas at Tyler in the National Championship. The Falcons are looking to make it back to the National Championships this year and senior shortstop Amanda Jones will be an influential part of the process.
 
Jones finished with a season batting average of .425, scored 38 runs, tallied 68 hits, and boasted a .929 fielding percentage. She was named First Team All-MAC Commonwealth, NFCA Second Team All-East Region, and was named to the NCAA Super Regional All-Tournament Team.
 
We decided to learn more about Amanda's experience in this edition of #WhyMessiah.
 
What is your favorite: food, music, vacation spot, and movie?
I love breakfast food, NF is my favorite artist, I love going to the beach, and I love the movie The Incredibles.
 
What are the names of the rest of your family and where do you fall among siblings?
My mom's name is Bev and I don't have any siblings.
 
Why did you come to Messiah and/or why do you love being at Messiah?
I came to Messiah because it was a smaller campus and fit well with my personality and the softball program is really successful.
 
Why did you choose your specific major here at Messiah? Have you enjoyed your study in it? Why or why not?
I chose to be a Health and Physical Education major here at Messiah because the HPE and Ed department have a lot of credibility and have a very good reputation. I have loved working with the HPE and Ed department over my four years because of all of my professors and the wealth of experience I have gained.
 
What is your dream job for after college?
If we're being honest, I would love to be a teacher for 9 months of the year and play professional softball in the summer.
 
If you could have dinner with one person in history, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with one person in history I would choose my dad, and I would love to tell him my plans for the future and tell him everything I've experienced at college.
 
How do you balance your academic work and your commitment to your sport?
I balance my work by actually using my sport as a stress relief. I use practice or games as an outlet to get away from school, but staying organized with my assignments helps too.
 
Who has most influenced your life and why?
My mom has influenced me the most in my life by showing me how to live a life for Christ, and for always making sure to put God first in everything.
 
What is one thing about Coach Weaver those outside your team may not know?
Coach Weaver used to love to play the game "What are the odds" but she lost one time, and had to jump into a hotel pool, so she doesn't play anymore!
 
What is special about your coaching staff and teammates, and how would you explain that to a recruit or someone outside of the program?
Our coaches are extremely experienced and have a wealth of knowledge of what it takes to be a successful program. But as much as they care about the program, they care for us as individuals even more. My teammates are the realest, most genuine friends I've ever had, and we are always there for each other no matter what it is happening in our lives.
 
What is one of your favorite team traditions and why?
I love our pregame huddle and chant, which has been a tradition since way before I got here, and it, reminds me of those that came before me and how big this thing I'm a part of is. Also, going to Florida for spring break every year isn't bad either!
 
Do you have a pre-game ritual or habit? If so, what is it?
I have a routine I go through. I visualize myself going through my warm-up and going through in-game situations before each game. Just before the game I say a prayer and verse to myself.
 
What is the toughest part of being a collegiate student-athlete? How do you live or grow through this at Messiah?
Honestly the hardest part of being a student-athlete is dealing with the reality that it only last for four years. Living in the moment and day-by-day makes it last a little longer, but we aren't able to stop time, so we have to always remember to enjoy the moments when we have them.
 
What advice would you give to younger student-athletes looking to play a sport in college?
I would tell younger students-athletes to give everything they have to their sport or training, but enjoy every second of it, because we won't be college athletes forever.
 
What is your favorite Messiah memory?
Hands down playing for a National Championship.''
 
If you had to answer the question #WhyMessiah what would you say?
I chose Messiah for the chance to grow as a person, as well as an athlete, and to compete at highest level in D3 athletics, while serving and representing my God. Here at Messiah I have the privilege to boldly represent the name of my Savior across my chest every time I put on my uniform, and that's something I will cherish forever.
 

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