Huntingdon opens new world for Taylor

This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the inaugural event. 

Division III Week, which began Monday and runs through Sunday, is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes.

As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, six student-athletes are being featured this week. Huntingdon senior Alex Taylor is today's featured student-athlete.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Senior Alex Taylor thought he knew what career path he wanted to follow when he enrolled at Huntingdon College.

But Huntingdon exposed Taylor to new possibilities he had yet to consider.

"I actually changed majors," Taylor said. "I came in as a math major but that really wasn't the route I wanted to go. Instead, I've grown to love the field of Communications Studies.

"At a school like Huntingdon, you take a lot of different classes. Sometimes you take a class that you'd never thought about taking before and it turns out that's the route you want to go. That's how it happened for me."

During the past four years, Taylor has enjoyed the college experience that Huntingdon provides. He believes Huntingdon is unique with its balance between academics, athletics and social life on campus.

"Huntingdon provides an opportunity to play sports and enjoy the overall college experience. You can play your sport and still have a diverse group of friends and be a part of different aspects of campus life," Taylor said. "By being involved in organizations, you learn a lot about yourself, how to be a leader and how to communicate with people. Those are things that carry over to the athletic field. At the same time, you learn a lot in athletics that translates into being a good member of an organization. I think that is why there is such a good relationship between athletics, academics and student life."

Athletically, Taylor has tried to take full advantage of his opportunities. He came to Huntingdon as a basketball player. But much like his career path, Taylor soon discovered new sports he wanted to try. As a junior and senior, he helped the men's cross country team win two Great South Athletic Conference titles. This spring, he earned a starting position on Huntingdon's first men's lacrosse team.

"I was intrigued by the opportunity to play lacrosse and be part of something new and different at the school," Taylor said. "Lacrosse has been a really cool opportunity. We've had some high points and some big wins and we've had some low points. But that's part of any first-year program. To be able to work with such a hard-working team like we have, it's been a great blessing."

Name: Alex Taylor

Year: Senior

Major: Communications Studies

Hometown: Eclectic, Ala.

Sport: Men's Cross Country and Men's Lacrosse

Athletic accomplishments: Taylor began his athletic career at Huntingdon as a basketball player. After two seasons, Taylor gave up basketball and joined the cross country program and was part of two Great South Athletic Conference championship teams. This season Taylor earned a starting position on Huntingdon's first men's lacrosse team.

Campus Activities: Taylor is a member of Sigma Nu and President of the Interfraternity Council. He is a Huntingdon Ambassador, Resident Assistant and an Orientation Leader.