AMELIA BAGWELL OF CENTENARY COLLEGE, a senior forward on the women's basketball team from West Monroe, La., has been selected the SCAC Character & Community Female Student-Athlete of the Week for the week beginning January 22.
The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.
Dedication, perseverance, hard-working … These are just a few apt words to describe Centenary women’s basketball fifth-year senior forward Amelia Bagwell.
The native of West Monroe, La. has accomplished and overcome so much in her five years with the Ladies. Bagwell has been a consistent performer on the court but just as busy off of it and has been rewarded for her hard work by being recognized as a member of the SCAC Winter All-Sportsmanship Team during her career.
“Amelia is an inspiration to all the young Ladies in the Centenary basketball program,” said head coach Paul Reed. She has been a team captain that makes sure that the team receives positive remarks and constructive feedback as much as possible. She has been a leader that never complains and is compassionate and works well with other on and off the basketball court and in the community.”
Bagwell has played in 79 career games with 36 starts and scored 375 points, grabbed 337 rebounds, and added 33 blocked shots, 31 assists, and 30 steals. She recorded two of her most memorable performances in her career last season as she scored a career-high 33 points against Birmingham-Southern on Nov. 27, 2022, which is tied for the third-most in a single game in program history. She also grabbed 16 rebounds in that game for an impressive double-double and was 13-23 from the floor as her 13 field goals made are tied for the second-most in a single game in program history and her 23 attempts are tied for the number eight all-time record.
“During my time at Centenary, I have participated in community service projects at Common Ground Community Center which is a non-profit organization that has children’s programs, mentoring, hosts a community meal once a week, provides food and clothing, and they also have a garden,” said Bagwell.
“I have also gone with my team to Plant a Seed in The Youth Foundation where we would tutor kids and play games with them for an after-school program. Both opportunities broadened my perspective on life and helped me a lot.”
“I manage being both a student and a college athlete by finding the right balance for everything. For me this includes being able to say no, prioritizing more important tasks, utilizing dead time, staying healthy, setting realistic goals, and having a support system. Sometimes it is hard but when you love your sport and want to receive a great education as well you push yourself harder to be the best.”
“I came from a small school, so when I visited Centenary I immediately felt at home. I loved the atmosphere, and the campus was beautiful. The thing that sold me on Centenary finally though was the Gold Dome I instantly imagined myself playing in there and came to a decision quickly after.”
“Basketball has been my life since my sophomore year in high school when I first started. It has molded me into the person I am today. Basketball has helped me off the court in many ways. It has taught me discipline, work ethic, leadership skills, coping with pressure, social skills, confidence, and self-esteem. Being an athlete helps you majorly in the outside world. It teaches you that even with the record of wins and losses you can never truly lose as long as you are learning something. Being a student has helped me be a better basketball player because I learned quickly if you want to be good at something you have to work really hard for it. Also, you have to be mentally prepared and focused which being a student has greatly helped with that.”
“To be featured for the SCAC Character & Community Award means a lot to me as a graduate student. I have been at Centenary all five of my athletic years and I have seen so many people come and go, even coaches. Being one of the only people that dedicated all my time to my school and my sport as long as I have this award means a lot to me. I have not seen a teammate or a coach while I have been at Centenary that has stuck around. My teammates that I walked in with my freshman year did not make it to my senior year and now as a graduate student I am the oldest person on the team with the next oldest being a sophomore. This award to me shows how dedicated and hard-working I am as well as the immense love I have for basketball. Centenary will always be my home and I am grateful for the many opportunities it has allowed me to have. Geaux Ladies and Gents!”
