BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Taryn Phillips enrolled at Campbell in January 2019 and during her career, played a key role in the Fighting Camels women's soccer team's incredible success.
 
Over the next four seasons, Taryn was a member of teams that won the Big South tournament title and participated in the 2020-21 NCAA College Cup, claimed two conference regular season championships, recorded a 71.3 won-lost-tied percentage (44-15-9) overall and won 84.2 percent of its league matches (30-4-4).  She also earned Big South Presidential Honor Roll recognition twice.
 
Phillips' journey, like many Campbell student-athletes, is a story of growth over a four, or more, year period.  Not only was she able to pursue her goal of competing in collegiate athletics at the highest level, but she has been able to work toward her career goals as well.
 
The generosity of Fighting Camel fans, alumni, family, and friends truly make a difference in the student-athlete experience at Campbell University.  Through the newly created Women's Empowerment Fund, the Fighting Camel Club's goal is to make the student-athlete experience even better, specifically for our female programs.
 
According to Taryn, Campbell was the right fit for her, despite its location three time zones away from her home in Las Vegas, Nev.
 
"I wanted to attend a smaller school and something different (than) Las Vegas," said Phillips.  "When I stepped on campus it felt like home, all the girls on the team were very welcoming and the coaching staff was too.  Campbell made me feel like I was a person rather than just another number on campus. The education was what I was looking for with small classes to be able to pay more attention to what was being taught. They also gave me the opportunity to play soccer."
 
During her career, Taryn and women's soccer student-athletes saw the new grandstand constructed at the Campbell Soccer Stadium, as well as marked improvements in the team dressing and workout facilities.
 
"Having our new stadium gave our supporters an opportunity to enjoy the game in wonderful seats," said Phillips.  "This also gave us the ability to pack the stadium when we had big games which made a huge difference for the players. Seeing the seats filled and students and fans support us was just a whole different feeling."
 
In addition to the brick and mortar of the grandstand, the athletics department – through the generosity of its donors – was able to provide educational opportunities and training opportunities.  Phillips and her teammates were able to attend summer school to lessen their class load during the season while staying on schedule to graduate.  At the same time, the players were able to train with the team's strength and conditioning coach before preseason practice began in August.
 
Through financial generosity of donors, the team was able to upgrade its travel, gear and host a "fuel zone" where student-athletes could supplement their meals throughout the day.  Furthermore, the team was able to afford to pay for PlayerTek, a GPS unit that players wear during practice and competition to measure each individual's fitness, speed, distance, sprint distance, power plays and power output.  The strength and conditioning staff could take that data and apply it to its tactics to ensure the best welfare and performance of each player.
 
Phillips also credited the purchase of Spiideo system, an easy-to-use, cloud-based video recording and analysis solution – for coaches, analysts and players in practice and games, as playing an important tactical factor in the team's ability to win 3-straight league titles. 
 
Given the time constraints that student-athletes endure, Phillips had to be diligent in order to complete a 200-hour internship in order to graduate with her degree in sport management.  Under the guidance of Shelby Denkert, director of business and operations, Phillips was able to balance her class, practice, competition and internship load, and impressed her supervisor so much that she was offered a graduate assistant position in game day operations.
 
Phillips is on track to graduate with her MBA in December 2024 with her goal of working as a sports agent or in a related field on the collegiate or professional level.
 
"Campbell feels like home," said Phillips.  "The staff, the students, the athletes, everyone is just so welcoming and here to support you. The support that I have received from Campbell women's soccer and the athletics department made me want to continue working and studying here. The direction that Campbell is heading is wonderful and something that I want to be a part of.  The athletic department has given me so much and continues to help me reach my goals."
 
On November 18, 2023, in celebration of Wanda Watkins Day, the Fighting Camel Club officially announced the creation of the Women's Empowerment Fund. The Women's Empowerment Fund supports female student-athletes in the classroom, in competition, and in the community. Gifts to the Women's Empowerment Fund qualify donors for Fighting Camel Club benefits.
 
To support the Women's Empowerment Fund, click HERE.