Wingate, N.C.----When you have a passion for something, it is important to follow it and see where it will take you. This is exactly what Bryant Lilley (Nashua, N.H.) did. The Wingate University lacrosse student-athlete received the team’s John R. Dodd Award for leadership at the school’s April athletic awards ceremony.
 
“When I was younger, probably about middle school, I wanted to be a broadcaster,” Lilley says. “I love sports and sometimes when I watch games and listen to the commentators or when I read articles, it upsets me when people say stupid stuff.  There are commentators that aren’t good and commentators that are very good. When I see and hear ones that aren’t good, it makes me want to be one to do something better.”
 
“When I got to college and started writing and especially writing for the paper and covering sports, I found I enjoyed it,” Lilley says. He served an Assistant Sports Editor for The Weekly Triangle. His duties would vary semester to semester. “During the fall, I usually wrote two-to-three stories a week on various sports.” He has written columns and athlete spotlights for the paper. “In season (spring), I did much more editing work because there is a sports reporting class and they send me all their articles.”
 
Lilley takes his writing seriously and looks for opportunities to improve his skills. The W’International trip his junior year provided him with the opportunity to do so. “Being on the lacrosse team, we are only able to go on the winter trips,” Lilley says. “It was a tough decision between Denmark and Egypt. I saw the theme for the Denmark trip was travel writing and figured that it would be the best option for me. The whole class we focused on writing and the different styles of writing and just how to be a better writer.”
 
Lilley says the trip was one of his most memorable experiences at Wingate. He believes W’International is an opportunity every student should take. “It’s a great experience to be with your friends and experience a different culture,” Lilley says. “My favorite moment was spending New Year’s with friends who are like brothers to me.”
 
The 22-year-old journalism major wants to start out as a sports writer; however, he would eventually wish to make his way over to broadcasting. His ultimate dream is working for ESPN like his favorite sportscaster Chris Berman. “He knows what he is talking about and it is also entertaining,” Lilley says. “He isn’t dry; he’s exciting and you can hear the passion in his voice.”
 
12 Questions with Bryant Lilley (’12)
 
1) How did you find out about Wingate?
 
I did a search on collegeboard.com and when Wingate came up, I went to the website. I liked what I saw so I came for a visit…
 
2) What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
 
Sports writing for a major publication…
 
3) Why would you recommend Wingate University to others?
 
Beautiful campus, small class sizes and great athletic teams…
 
4) One word you would use to describe your personality?
 
Outgoing…
 
5) What would you most like people to know about you?
 
I would like for people to know that I would do anything for my family and friends…
 
6) If you could be fictional character from any movie, television show, book, etc., for a day who would it be and why?
 
Charlie (Chuck) Logan from “Good Luck, Chuck”
 
7) What was your most memorable experience at Wingate?
 
My W’International trip to Copenhagen, Denmark…
 
8) Who was your favorite professor at Wingate (and why)?
 
Dr. Keith Cannon…because he is great teacher and mentor…He has made me the writer I am today…
 
9) When did you get your first stick? What is favorite childhood lacrosse memory?
 
I got my first stick when I was 13 years old (eighth grade). My favorite memory was scoring a goal in my first-ever youth lacrosse game.
 
10) Describe your experience at Wingate in one word?
 
Amazing…
 
11) What is one thing you would like to tell your team?
 
The team is family to me; my best memories are with them.
 
12) What is the best piece of advice you have ever gotten?
 
Live life to the fullest and regret nothing…
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a comprehensive university with more than 2,500 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. The university offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, physician assistant studies and sports administration and doctorates in pharmacy and education.
 
Wingate students gain the tools and support they need to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. The campus community offers in-class learning, out-of-class experiences, strong mentors, a competitive yet caring environment and rewarding community service opportunities for a complete educational experience.
 
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past six years.
 
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 42 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 51 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.
 
(Wingate University graduate intern David Schaffer contributed this article. Schaffer is a Hofstra University graduate who received his master’s degree at Wingate May 12. Schaffer and the Wingate Sports Information department will provide more features throughout the summer.)