« Softball 2020

Alyssa Walker

School
Chattanooga
Position
Outfielder
Major
Communications

Classroom

Walker continues to be thankful for UTC and the entire communications department, as they have made it feel like a true home away from home. When Walker first arrived to campus, she felt like all she would ever be was a softball student-athlete. UTC professor Billy Weeks stepped in and showed Walker a different side of herself. Professor Weeks played baseball collegiately and knew exactly how tough the daily schedule for a student-athlete was, but he never let Walker back down from a hard assignment. Walker credits Weeks for teaching her to never to give up and always striving to be extraordinary. Walker has been a mainstay on numerous academic lists including the Dean’s List, Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, and Southern Conference All-Academic Team, notching a spot on each list every semester at Chattanooga. Walker will continue her academic prowess upon graduation this summer, as she will travel to Spain to study abroad as part of a communications program. Walker has been a constant presence in numerous Spanish classes, actively trying to pick up a native second language. Walker helped contribute to a Chattanooga softball program record 3.59 team GPA following Fall 2019. Walker has labeled herself as a strong asset to the Chattanooga Athletic Communications office, helping out with social media tactics and press releases. Walker is known for her academic efforts just as much as her stellar athletic achievements.

Character

Character is something that means a lot to Walker. In terms of being a great leader, Walker has learned to gain respect from her teammates since the moment she stepped on campus in Fall 2016. Walker always stated that it started by showing respect to her peers and allowing the respect to be returned in her favor. Walker is known as the “mom” of the team because she is always asking how everyone is. She talks to them on their good days and their bad days, checks in if they have eaten, and asks how their classes are treating them. It didn’t take long for Walker to be the locker room’s active leader. Leading by example is the most important quality that Walker possesses. She will always try to give her best efforts on and off the field in hopes that her teammates and peers follow. Walker always mentions of once being told “lift as you rise,” and she continuously tries to apply that saying to her everyday life, but especially on the field. Every day won’t always be the best day, but when Walker steps on the field, she will always choose to make her team and everyone around her better than they were before the day started. In every media appearance, Walker never fails to thank a teammate first. Walker defines what it means to be a model student-athlete behind her character, respect , and the appreciation that she has for everyone around her.

Community

Coming from a small town, Walker thought she knew what a community was. She saw something she hadn’t known when she joined UTC. The love shown in the athletic community is unlike any other because of Walker’s efforts. The student-athletes on campus are a tight-knit family. Walker is the president of Chattanooga’s SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Committee), and this has allowed her to become close with the student-athletes on campus, as well as work with administration to help make the community of UTC a better experience for all involved. One thing she has tried to focus on was making sure athletes were supporting other athletes. At any given event, you can find many student-athletes supporting their peers to show their everlasting support. Walker makes it a point to attend all home events on campus and makes sure to acknowledge each student-athlete’s effort after every win or loss. In addition to making the campus community a better place, Walker finds herself creating opportunities for others around town and around the Southern Conference. Walker kicked off a “SoConnected” week long social campaign to help raise awareness surrounding mental health. All SoCon institutions helped blast information across their respective campuses to both students and student-athletes, reasserting the notion that “not being okay, is okay.” Due to Walker’s contributions on this campaign, league schools totaled hundreds of thousands of reactions on social media platforms, all showcasing mental health resources and information.

Competition

Walker has become one of the most prolific, decorated, and memorable Chattanooga softball student-athletes in its lustrous program history. Walker ranks among the top ten in numerous program categories and has earned various All-Southern Conference honors and awards. Helping lead the team to its 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2019, Walker was named to the SoCon All-Tournament Team and earned a spot on the All-SoCon Second Team. Walker was named to All-Southern Conference First Team in 2018 and All-Freshman Team in 2017. Walker continued to rank among the nation’s top hitters, narrowly missing out on the conference batting title in 2019 by just a few points. A four-year starter and constant threat as the number three hitter, Walker is feared among fellow SoCon programs. Walker has earned back-to-back Southern Conference Preseason Player of the Year honors in 2019 and 2020. Walker has appeared in all possible games but two since arriving on campus in Fall 2016. A true leader on the field, Walker can always be found picking up her teammates through all facets of the game. Walker can always be found after each home game talking, sharing advice, and signing autographs with local children in attendance. She is trying to leave a positive mark on the next generation. Walker will leave Chattanooga as one of the greatest competitors, role models, and student-athletes the school has ever had the privilege of hosting.