Inspire, Summer 2008

22 summer 2008 With infectious fervor and enthusiasm, Brittany Smart ’07 brings a unique passion to the basketball court. Not only has she developed her basketball skills to a highly competitive level, but she also has chosen to combine those talents with her desire to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She had a chance to see her two passions at work this past year as a professional basketball player in Belgium — a seven-month experience that changed her life. Arguably the best women’s basketball player to ever hit the court at Cedarville, Brittany has enjoyed the accolades that come with being good at her craft. Yet she has done so with humility and grace. The 5-foot-9 guard was the 2006–07 NAIA Division II National Player of the Year her senior season, graduating as Ohio’s all-time leading scorer for all levels of women’s college basketball. The three- time All-American also guided the Lady Jackets to four straight conference titles and four trips to the NAIA national tournament, where she set even more records. Some Christian athletes who are driven to take their game to the next level have little time for ministry. Others may have the desire to connect sports to missions but don’t have the skills to make it possible. Brittany has both. “When I signed the contract to go to Belgium, it was basketball taking me there, but I had a two-fold reason for going,” she explained. “It was to play basketball and share Jesus Christ.” Brittany lived in the city of Verviers, Belgium, from September through April. She was one of the top players, and the only Playing It Smart by Mark Womack ’82 Basketball is her game, evangelism her passion. This Cedarville record-breaker now hits the international court with love for the game and for people. Photo credit: Steve’s Studio of Photography | Sioux City, Iowa