By: Joey Mullins
 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Today, we continue our series named the S-Club Profile, focusing on former student-athletes and giving updates on what they have been up to since finishing their Samford careers. In today's third edition, we will highlight Brittany Stevens, who played basketball at Samford from 2013 to 2017.
 
Stevens had a stellar career on the court at Samford. She is currently tied for fourth in school history in career steals, and she ranks fifth in program history in career starts and eighth in career assists.
 
Stevens came to Samford from The Wesleyan School in the Atlanta area. She said there were several reasons she decided to attend the Homewood school.
 
"I would say, when I met the girls on the team, that was the main selling point," Stevens said. "Because everyone was so welcoming and cared a lot about basketball, but also about school, academics and the whole experience. And then also the campus was beautiful, and I really liked the smaller class sizes and the chance to get to know my professors."
 
 
Stevens earned her Bachelor's Degree in English and Religion from Samford in 2017. During her time at Samford, she was not only involved in athletics, but she was heavily involved across campus as well. Among other things, she was involved in Connections and she was a member of Theta Kappa Pi, the National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology. She was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Additionally, she even appeared as Samford's mascot, Spike, at a charity event during the fall of her senior year, an experience she mentions as one of her favorite during her time at Samford.
 
Stevens said she enjoyed her time at Samford, though it pushed her to work harder and improve in every area.
 
"It was challenging because it challenged me to work really hard at school and work really hard at basketball in order to be successful," Stevens said. "It was a worth-while challenge, because I was pushed as an individual to go outside of my comfort zone to be involved in areas of campus outside of athletics. I feel like I grew a lot because of those challenges, because Samford is a place where you can get involved in athletics, but also in campus life and in different academic clubs. It is so versatile and super beneficial for that reason."
 
During her time at Samford, Stevens was one of the most well-rounded students on campus. When asked about what she learned the most during her college career, she talked about the relationships she developed.
 
"The importance of being intentional about relationships," Stevens said of the biggest lesson she learned at Samford. "I still talk to some of my college professors, and I still talk to some softball players, some soccer players, the people in my English classes, and obviously the basketball girls. Those relationships have been so life giving for me, even beyond my time at Samford. I'm glad I took advantage of so many of those opportunities, but I wish I had even more."
 
Stevens played with a team that was all very close to each other, and she said that closeness has continued even after leaving Samford.
 
"We've all stayed in touch," Stevens said. "Kassidy Blevins is getting married in December and we're all going to be in her wedding. Cassidy Williams just got married recently and the whole team was there and that was so fun."
 
After graduating from Samford, Stevens went to graduate school at Northwestern University in Chicago. She earned her Master's of Science in Education from Northwestern. She said she enjoyed her time at Northwestern, but it was very different from Samford.
 
"I loved Chicago," Stevens said. "It was a big city, we were right on Lake Michigan; it was like being on the beach. It was culturally so diverse, and that was fun. But, there's nothing that beats Samford. It's so welcoming and inclusive and collaborative. I like the culture at Samford. Nothing compares to Samford and the relational priorities that it has."
 
After finishing graduate school at Northwestern, Stevens returned home to Atlanta and began working at The Wesleyan School. She currently teaches English and Bible in fifth and sixth grades. She also is an assistant coach for the varsity cross-country, girls' basketball and track and field teams. Joining her on the girls' basketball staff is former Samford teammate Ellen Riggins. Stevens recently helped the Wesleyan cross-country program to a state championship.
 
Stevens credits her professors and coaches at Samford with helping her with the success she has had so far since leaving Samford.
 
"I still have great relationships with the people that coached me and my professors," Stevens said. "They have given me so much career advice, and even when I was in grad school, they gave me advice about school. I just recently reached out to all of my religion professors for recommendations for pursuing another degree, going to seminary or divinity school. They've just been so helpful.
 
"It's like once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog," Stevens said. "My professors reach out and ask me how I'm doing. It's awesome that they care so much about the people who graduate. Those lasting relationships are still helping me in my career and will in the future. Also, (Assistant Coach) Sally Higgins is one of our dear friends and she'll come visit us sometimes."
 
When asked about what she sees herself doing in the future, Stevens said whatever she does, she still wants to work with young people.
 
"I love what I do, but I love school, so if I were to have a career change, I would probably go back to school," Stevens said. "I could see myself working in youth ministry in a church. I definitely still want to work with kids; I love that part of it."
 
 
For more information on the S-Club, contact Hal Langston at hlangst1@samford.edu. For giving opportunities, please contact Maggie Rountree at mrountr1@samford.edu.