Inspire Her Q+A with Erin Ballard
2/2/2022 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rifle
1. When did you first start playing sports? What was the first sport you ever played?
The first time I ever played sports, I was six years old, and I played soccer. I always liked being the goalie because it meant I didn't have to run around as much. I started competing in rifle matches when I was in 8th grade.
2. How has your involvement in your sport shaped who you are today?
Being involved in sports has definitely been a huge influence in who I am. It's taught me how to work with a team, how to be a leader, and so many life skills that I would've taken longer to pick up otherwise. Effective time management, resilience, dedication, communication, and critical thinking skills are some of the biggest for me.
3. Why do you love being a college athlete?
I get an amazing opportunity that not many people have, I'm able to continue doing what I love and traveling all sorts of places to compete. Having such a strong team of people behind me helping to make sure I can get where I want to go on my path to success is something not many students have, and I'm super grateful to have that.
4. Who is someone that inspires you as a woman in sports?
Marsha Beasley. She was one of my first coaches in 2015, and she has such an amazing history in the sport of Olympic Style Precision Rifle that shows how strong of an athlete and a coach she is.
5. How do you hope you inspire athletes at Georgia Southern and other young women and girls in sports?
The one thing I want to show other athletes and young women involved in sports is that if you work hard, and work consistently towards your goals, it may not happen immediately, but your work will pay off. You get back whatever you put into things, so if the work isn't there then results won't be either. Stay driven when it looks like you're taking two steps forward and one step back; that's still moving forward.
6. What would be your advice to a young girl who wants to be in your position as a college athlete?
Work hard, be on time, ask questions, and be coachable. Make sure you focus on school. Choose a college based largely on what you're interested in studying, and athletics second. When I was looking at schools, I used the 'broken leg test' which is essentially asking yourself if you broke your leg and couldn't participate in sport and compete, would you still want to go to school there?
