Softball Infielder Gives Time Off the Field

AMES, Iowa - Do a good deed daily. No one may take this motto to heart more than Iowa State sophomore softball player Amanda Bradberry. The Cyclone second baseman was recently nominated for the Big 12 Chick-Fil-A Community of Champions for spring sports. Bradberry is an active member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) and finds time to be helpful in the community.

A student can sometimes struggle balancing schoolwork with other activities. Bradberry, an elementary education major, balances a schedule with class, softball practice, games and volunteer work.

"I try to fit in as much as I can," Bradberry said. "Sometimes I feel it's more important to go out and help the community rather than sit around and do homework, because I always have time to do homework."

Bradberry focuses on community service, but she does not deny her schoolwork its due time. Coming out of high school, she was a 2006 Kansas City Star Scholar-Athlete selection, as well as a Marine Corps Distinguished Student-Athlete. She was recently recognized on the fall semester's Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

"During the spring semester we have study hours on the bus and on the plane, so it's a lot easier to make sure I get all my homework done then," Bradberry said. "That gives me more times to fit in community service."

SAAC has been involved with many of the recent activities that included Bradberry's participation. She was a SAAC representative for the Adopt-A-Family holiday program and is a participant in Relay For Life.

"I enjoy SAAC because it gives me the opportunity to be a voice on campus," Bradberry said. "SAAC is fun because I can get out and do even more community service."

Bradberry, a native of Kearney, Mo., will also be attending the NCAA National Student-Athlete Leadership Development Conference May 25-29 in Orlando, Fla. She will have the opportunity to hear what other student-athletes from around the country do to be leaders and role models on their respective campuses and communities. The student-athletes in attendance at the conference might have something to learn from Bradberry as well.