When Julia Hart ‘24, MAHE ‘26, first set foot on Geneva’s campus in the fall of 2020, she was drawn by the promise of continuing both soccer and softball.
Arriving on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Julia’s freshman experience was anything but ordinary. There was no preseason for fall sports, and all competitions were postponed until spring. At first, she struggled with motivation to stay at college without a sports season. Then, because of the adjusted schedules, she had to choose between participating in softball or soccer her freshman year, choosing soccer as the only goalie.
Her freshman roommate, a soccer player, invited her to a Bible study with the team in the first weeks of school. At the time, Julia wasn’t a Christian and felt hesitant about going, particularly nervous about the possibility they’d be praying out loud. Though she was asked to pray that night, she slowly eased into the habits of the team.
After an injury sidelined her during her sophomore soccer season, she was led to focus solely on softball. The shift was bittersweet. Soccer had been a lifelong sport, while softball only entered the picture at age 15. However, she had discovered that she actually found more joy in playing softball.
Though her time on the soccer field was cut short, Julia remained close to her soccer teammates off the field and left a lasting impression. “I wasn’t strong in my faith until my junior year here. My roommates [who were on the soccer team] played a huge role in that. Even though I wasn’t connected to the soccer team on the field anymore, I was still really connected with them off the field.”
Throughout her time as a Golden Tornado, Julia has worn the number 22. It’s not just a number, it’s a tribute. "My mom was number 22 [as a softball and basketball player]. She passed away from breast cancer when I was a junior in high school. Since then, it's been 22 for her. Everyone just calls me ‘Twos’ now,” she adds with a smile.
When Julia began college, she didn’t have a major in mind. “I like sports and I want to keep playing” was the mindset that got her to Geneva and for which she is thankful. By sophomore year, she declared sport management and found herself captivated by her classes. She was drawn to her professors, especially those who had been coaches. "The stories they told and the experiences they brought made it all come alive." When she shared her decision with family and friends at home, their reaction was “Why didn’t we think of that in the first place?”
She was drawn not just to playing sports, but to the mechanics behind them including scheduling, logistics, and event planning. Through student jobs with athletic trainers and game day crews, Julia got a firsthand look at the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a program running. That interest led her into Geneva’s Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) program.
In her past year of MAHE classes, Julia has particularly appreciated understanding the “Why?” behind various decisions in higher education. Some of her own questions have begun to be answered. And, through her friendships with undergraduate students, she can help them understand the motivations and decision-making in areas from Residence Life to Athletic Training.
While Julia once had others lead her into opportunities for her faith to grow, she now has the opportunity to be an example to those in the campus community and beyond. As a co-captain of the softball team this year, she helped guide the team under the motto “Audience of One.” Players would often make a sign acknowledging their faith after big plays — not for show, but as an act of worship. “That’s definitely the biggest thing for me this year — to glorify God through everything. I think we made that evident.”
“I didn’t realize how much of an impact that had on people,” she reflects. One example occurred when the assistant coach’s U-13 team came to a game. A few weeks later, the head coach of that team reached out, saying his players had started praying before games because they saw the Geneva team doing it. “That’s when it hit me how we were impacting people we didn’t even know,” Julia says.
Julia’s story isn’t only about the moments on the field. It’s about community — friendships that formed in dorm rooms, at post-game worship nights under campus pavilions, and during late-night ice cream runs to Hank’s. She arrived not knowing anyone, but leaves feeling like she knows everyone. She also speaks fondly of the close-knit connection with Geneva professors. “Professor [Christen] Adels was emailing us while we were in Texas for [the NCCAA tournament for] softball, asking about the games,” she recalls. “It meant a lot to know she was following along.” Even beyond that, when asked about her support system, Julia immediately mentions her dad as a huge supporter on and off the field.
For now, as she completes her final few courses in the MAHE program and looks for a full-time job in athletic operations or scheduling, Julia is staying nearby. She signed a lease in Beaver County with a fellow Geneva alum and plans to continue supporting her teammates by attending games and staying connected.
For incoming students who may feel uncertain or disconnected at first, Julia offers this: “Trust in the Lord and know that He has a plan for you.” This is certainly true in her own life. Looking back, Julia sees God’s hand in every setback and shift. From reluctant Bible study attendee to team faith leader, her time at Geneva has shaped not only her career aspirations, but also her identity.
By Amelia Jones, MBA ‘26
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