Matthew Cardoso is a sports management major at the university. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, and now living in Bristol, Tennessee, Matthew is actively involved on and off campus. He interns with Lee Athletics, works on the golf staff at the Cleveland Country Club, and is part of the game day staff for the Chattanooga Football Club. Matthew values these opportunities for the connections they allow him to make across different areas of the sports industry. He also appreciates the Christian community at Lee and the ways it has shaped his personal faith. “I was able to find my people at Lee—people who call me higher, challenge my faith, and support me.” Upon graduation, Matthew plans to work for a sports organization, start a family, and continue serving in his local church.
Caleb Richardson, an athletic training major from Braxton, Mississippi, brings a unique perspective to his studies at Lee. After graduating from high school in 2012, he joined the Marine Corps, where he had the opportunity to travel the world before enrolling at Lee in 2023. “I visited many different colleges after my service in the Marine Corps, but Lee stood out to me because I wasn’t just a number.” At Lee, Caleb says he found a supportive environment where professors not only challenge him academically but also invest in his success. After graduation, Caleb plans to remain in Tennessee with his wife Sarah, a Lee alumna, and pursue a career as a high school or collegiate athletic trainer, where he can be a source of encouragement and guidance for young people.
Courtney Peterson is an exercise science major from Knoxville, Tennessee. She values the friendships she has made at Lee and getting to be around other Christians who want to use their degree to honor God. “I love how the professors really care about pouring into us and make an effort to connect faith and health in my major.” Courtney has served on staff at the school’s recreation center and currently works as a personal trainer at Southside Fitness in town. After graduation, Courtney plans to be a personal trainer and get further certifications in nutrition and tactical strength and conditioning before eventually opening her own ministry-focused gym.
Austin Cavender, a sports management major with a minor in religion from Hendersonville, Tennessee, chose Lee for its strong Christian community and the opportunity to grow in his faith. “I came to Lee because I wanted to go to a Christian college somewhere in the U.S. — a place where I could have community and worship the Lord, and Lee has done that for me.” Austin is also actively involved in a small group at Public Church, which he describes as a wonderful community that has helped him grow closer to the Lord. He has been named to the Dean’s List every semester so far and says one of the highlights of his time at Lee has been the friendships he has formed and the clubs he has joined throughout his college experience. After graduation, Austin hopes to pursue a career that combines his love for sports and ministry or enter the field of sports marketing.
Jack Goins is a human development major with a business emphasis from Maryville, Tennessee. He is the president of Theta Delta Kappa and has also been a peer leader. Jack applied to Lee two weeks before move-in day after talking to some friends at Lee during a spur-of-the-moment trip to Cleveland. “Coming to Lee was an unexpected blessing in my life. I cannot imagine my college experience without the friends, professors, and memories I have made here at Lee.” Upon graduation, Jack plans to pursue a career in human resources and use his gifts to best serve the community.
Haley Grime plans to become an international teacher one day. From Lebanon, Tennessee, Haley is majoring in special education with a minor in deaf studies and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). She is also a Hicks Scholar, a resident assistant for one of the residence halls, is the president of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, volunteers at Lee’s Center for English Language Learning, and is a member of the university’s LEAP (Learn Engage Achieve Program). “The best part of my Lee experience so far has been finding community and building biblical friendships with people who hold me accountable.”
Baylee Delbridge came to Lee from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to major in sports management and follow in her family’s footsteps as a third generation Lee student. She is on the Women’s Basketball team and is a member of NSLS (National Society of Leadership and Success). The highlight of her Lee journey, thus far, is the opportunities to travel with her team and see more of the world. “I had never gone to the beach before our team played in Florida, and I also get to go on a mission’s trip to the Dominican Republic, soon.” After graduation, Baylee plans to enter the sports management field and is excited to see what doors God will open for her.