Paris LawsonBasketball // R-Sophomore // Murfreesboro, TN // Communications

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE BELMONT?

The day that I committed to come to Belmont, I knew there was nowhere else I’d rather be; it immediately felt like home. Every person I encountered was so genuine—they really took the time to get to know me and support me. That’s what stood out to me, I didn’t get that anywhere else.

WHAT MAKES BELMONT’S ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT SO SPECIAL?

It is so hard to fail with our athletic department staff because there is someone holding you accountable in every area of your life. They invest in you as an athlete and a student, while also supporting you spiritually. This is something you don’t get everywhere. Everyone wants to see you succeed and to be your best—that’s what makes the athletic department so great.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC JOURNEY TO THIS POINT?

From the start, I didn’t really know what it was that I wanted to do specifically. I knew I wanted to do something along the lines of communication so I majored in mass communication, but I wasn’t sure exactly what that looked like. I had a teammate who got into sports broadcasting, and that’s when I knew I wanted to do sports broadcasting. Coming in, I always knew that Belmont was top notch for academics all around, not just in music. I’ve had so many opportunities from being here at Belmont that I wouldn’t have had anywhere else. I’ve learned a lot here in the classroom.

HOW HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT HELPED YOU GET THROUGH MULTIPLE SEASON-ENDING INJURIES?

I’ve definitely had a unique athletic path over the last few years with injuries that have forced me to take time off, sitting out two seasons in my three-year career thus far. It’s been really hard, especially this year having to take my junior season off, but the coaching staff along with the athletic staff has been such a blessing with their support. I began to ask myself ‘What can I do in this time that will benefit me and my team in the long run?’ That looks like me taking advantage of not playing and getting involved with sideline reporting—my career aspiration. I get to use my basketball knowledge and take in the cerebral part of the game, transferring that to sideline reporting. Of course it’s not an ideal situation for me, but it’s impossible not to feel comforted because there are so many genuine people here that really want you to succeed. While it’s hard to sit on the sidelines during games, it’s also been a huge blessing to have been presented this opportunity.

WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY AT BELMONT TO BE?

I want to represent Belmont in a way that when people think of me they think, ‘Oh wow, she came from Belmont? Belmont must be a really great place, I want my kid to go to Belmont.’ I want to leave this place better than when I found it and it was already great. This place is so special to me.

WHAT WORD WOULD YOUR TEAMMATES USE TO DESCRIBE YOU?

Happy. I’m always happy. I love this place and the people I’m around. There’s no reason for me not to be happy. I don’t see any benefit of me being angry at my circumstances; that won’t get me anywhere. I get to be at a great place, with great people, on an amazing team. Those are reasons to be happy.