Football seniors impacting others

By Charleston Southern on November 11, 2010 - 12:44 pm in Leading / no comments

By Blake Freeland

Bazile proves to be physical and mental leader

The mental toughness of a football player is oftentimes as important as the physical toughness. Jacques Bazile excels in both areas and has used both parts to encourage and lead others.

Physically, the senior from Naples, Fla., is one of the fastest players on the team, proven by his part in the Big South Championship 4x100m relay team that qualified for the NCAA East Region in 2009. Although he’s listed at just 5-9, 165, he’s all muscle and has proven that he packs a punch as he’s tallied 100 career tackles. He has a pair of interceptions, including one against Presbyterian College last season, a game in which the Bucs tied the school record with four interceptions in one half.

“I know this is my last season and that I have to go all-out in everything, whether it is in the weight room, at practice, a scrimmage or a game,” said Bazile. “I’m going to do everything to the best of my ability.”

Mentally, Bazile has been able to shine in multiple areas of his life, despite being pulled in various directions. With a 3.3 career GPA, the criminal justice major has been named a CSU scholar-athlete three semesters and is a two-time member of the Dean’s List.

One of the biggest consumptions of Bazile’s time is family. In January, as Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake, his thoughts turned to relatives in Port-au-Prince, including his grandmother, who he had trouble reaching. Bazile and his family did eventually learn that she was safe, despite losing her home.

On a more positive note, Bazile is also spending his time helping his fiancée, Vanessa Gable, plan the couple’s wedding, scheduled for March 12, 2011. As much work as goes into a wedding, it is the distance between them that Bazile says is the hardest part.

“I take heart in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 that says ‘Love is patient … and always perseveres,’” said Bazile. “It definitely tests your patience not being able to see each other, but I know that if you really love them you will never give up. You can see it in God’s love for us, because no matter what he never gives up on us.”

That perseverance is something that has driven a lot of Bazile’s life and continues to drive him on the football field.

“I love being a senior, but just being a senior does not make me a leader,” said Bazile. “The things I have done here have made people follow me, and I want to be a role model for the younger guys. I am following God so I know I will lead them in the right direction. Basically I want them to know that football is not forever, and they need to do everything to the best of their ability like it is the last time they will get to play.”

With leaders like Bazile, there is no doubt that the team can accomplish their goals for this year: “Championship,” said Bazile with a smile. “There is no doubt we want to win, but like our shirts say this year, no matter what we do, whether it is a Big South Championship or we fall short, we want to give all of the glory to God.”

Lancaster named to national Good Works Team

Most of the time, you only hear the name of an offensive lineman when they miss a block or give up a sack. For a unit that has to be cohesive to be effective, it is often difficult to pick out the best. Senior Jordan Lancaster has managed to earn plenty of recognition.

The Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., native has made 27 starts and played in 33 games during his career, the most among the returning offensive linemen. He also earned 2010 Preseason All-Big South honors entering his senior season.

Despite helping last year’s offensive line finish tied for sixth in the nation in sacks allowed and earning 2009 most improved offensive lineman honors from the coaches, perhaps Lancaster’s biggest impact is made off the field.

Before his senior year, Lancaster was named to the watch list for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, something that only one other athlete in Big South history has been able to accomplish. He is one of 112 student-athletes to earn a spot on the preseason list that includes all four-year institutions and more than 50,000 student-athletes.

On campus, Lancaster leads a male Bible study group for fellow athletes, and is a six-time CSU scholar-athlete and was the winner of the CSU Football Total Athlete Award. He has volunteered at the Closing the Gap in Healthcare seminar in each of the last four years, helping encourage an active lifestyle for underprivileged kids in the Charleston area.

The CSU campus is not the only place Lancaster’s impact is felt; he also tutors elementary school children and volunteers for a youth softball team. Somehow he still finds time to work as a youth pastor intern and help in the media department and children’s church at his home church.

The idea of servant leadership is deeply rooted in the Bible, and that is not something that is lost on Lancaster.

“First and foremost I just try to honor God and put Him first in all that I do,” said Lancaster. “I always try to help others out whenever I can.”

His coaches have not overlooked his work either, with Head Coach Jay Mills giving high praise to Lancaster for the way he honors God in all things.

“What a blessing Jordan is to this team,” said Mills. “Jordan has gone through his share of adversity and actually got hurt just before the team’s trip to Hawaii in 2007 and was not able to go. Our second trip was originally scheduled for next year, but it just so happened that it got changed so he’s going to have the opportunity to go this year. That is a great example of delayed gratification, and God honoring a man who honors Him as scripture talks about. Jordan has certainly honored God by talking to his teammates and presenting the truth in love. He is the example of a great leader on and off the field. If you are looking for a true renaissance man who is well balanced physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, I think Jordan would be our poster individual for Charleston Southern football.”

It takes a lot of humility to sacrifice time and effort for others, and when asked about his honors, Lancaster’s humility shines through.

“I know there are a lot of people out there who are doing a lot more than I am,” he said. “My praise goes out to all of those people who may not be getting recognized for everything that they are doing.”

Tags: Charleston Southern University Buccaneers CSU Jacques Bazile Jordan Lancaster