BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Some high school graduates enroll in college seeking to discover what might be their passion or chosen career.
 
Others – like Campbell senior outfielder Allyiah Swiney – choose their school because it offers a way to meet their goals.
 
The daughter and granddaughter of career educators, Swiney knew that she wanted to study to become a physical education teacher.  She also knew that she wanted to compete at the Division I level.
 
Campbell University offered both of those opportunities, and more.
 
"When I came on my visit here it felt like home," said Swiney, an all-conference performer on the field and Commissioner's Honor Roll award winner in the classroom.  "I love the small class sizes; I love the small atmosphere; I love that everybody knows everybody.  I also wanted the professors to know me by name. I wanted to connect with them."
 
As a senior, she ranks among the CAA softball leaders in seven categories – including runs (second), hits (ninth), doubles (fifth) and RBI (sixth) – all while serving as a student teacher this semester at Dunn Elementary School.
 
Her work in and out of the classroom has not only yielded individual honors, but she has been a four-year starter for a team that has won 66 percent of its games, 76 percent of its league contests and been a mid-major power.  Following graduation, she will teach physical education at Midway Elementary School.
 
During Swiney's freshman season, Campbell captured Big South Conference regular season and tournament titles.  The last two years, Campbell has reached the final round of the CAA tourney, only to fall one win shy of a return to NCAA postseason play.
 
Coming up just short, as well as a 2026 preseason poll that predicted Campbell to finish second in the CAA South Division is certainly a motivator for Swiney and her teammates.
 
"I was motivated since we lost in the final the first time (in 2024)," said Swiney, a native of Hamlet, N.C., and lifelong Richmond County resident.  "Anything but finishing first is a motivator.  It gives you something to work for. We want to be the team to beat."
 
That competitive fuel – along with the mentoring of a family that includes career educators and coaches – played a significant role in Swiney developing into a Division I athlete.
 
Swiney started playing softball at six and joined a competitive travel team not long after.  However, like her older sister, Alexis, she was a multi-sport athlete. 
 
Alexis competed in basketball, volleyball, track and field, soccer and cheer at Richmond County High School before heading to Coker University, where she was a member of the acrobatics and tumbling team.  Allyiah earned all-conference honors in volleyball, basketball and softball.  She was four-time all-league choice on the diamond and led the Sandhills Conference in home runs as a senior before accepting a scholarship to continue her playing and academic career at Campbell.
 
What does Swiney's scholarship mean to her?
 
"Everything, the whole world, plus more," said Swiney.  "I could go somewhere and get my school paid for, play the sport I love and get the education I want, that's all I could ask for."
 
The generosity of Fighting Camel fans, alumni, family, and friends truly makes a difference in the lives of student-athletes at Campbell University.  Through the Women's Empowerment Fund, the Fighting Camel Club's goal is to make that experience even better, specifically for our female student-athletes.  To join the Fighting Camel Club, click here.
 
Allyiah's parents, Lemuel and Talia, as well as her grandmother Patricia McCoy, taught her to set priorities and work hard to reach her goals.
 
Not only did her father, who played football at the University of North Carolina, build a batting cage in the backyard so Allyiah could work on her game as often as she liked, but he and Talia followed their daughter all over the country to travel softball tournaments, where college coaches gathered to scout prospects and offer scholarships.
 
But growing up, Allyiah and Alexis were taught to handle their responsibilities before pursuing extra-curricular activities.
 
"If you wanted to play outside, go out with your friends, you had to make sure your homework's done, make sure your room's clean, make sure the dishes are done before you do what you want to do," said Allyiah of the expectations of growing up in the Swiney household.
 
Those habits followed Allyiah when she made the one and one-half hour drive northeast to enroll at Campbell.  Like all freshman athletes, she was required to attend study hall.
 
"It taught me how to manage my time and how to get things done when you have time," said Swiney.  "Sometimes you have late nights studying. Sometimes we go on the road, and we're doing homework on the bus, doing homework after the game, sometimes doing homework before the game.  You've got to get your work done and out of the way."
 
Talia is a math teacher in Richmond County, while Lemuel is an elementary P.E. teacher in Robeson County.  Allyiah has benefited from their experience – both practically and theoretically – as she grew academically and athletically.
 
"My grandmama was an educator, my mom's an educator, my dad's an educator, my sister works in clinics with kids," said Allyiah, whose typical day this spring starts with a 7:00 a.m. weight session, followed by a full day of teaching in Dunn, then practice, or a game in the afternoon.  "It's something I've always been around all my life.  I love helping the next generation of people, helping build that foundation and I get to do it every single day.  Being able to help people in a way that you know makes an impact."
 
Former Richmond Country principal Cory Satterfield, who was an all-conference pitcher at Campbell in the '80s, called Talia the "best math teacher he ever met."  Allyiah says what makes her mother such a great educator is not only her experience and love of teaching, but her ability to make true connections with her students.
 
"She built those relationships with the kids and knows how to break the numbers down.  She just has a special talent for it," said Allyiah, who admits to calling on her mom when she needed help in the subject. 
 
Allyiah credits her father's influence, plus her multi-sport background, with her desire to follow Lemuel into physical education. 
 
"Watching my dad in the world I want to be in, watching what he does, how he connects with the kids, creating the games, inspired me."
 
In a world where just over a quarter of children between the ages of six and 17 get the daily 60 minutes of physical activity recommended by health care professionals, Swiney believes that her chosen field plays an important role in youth development.
 
"Kids are so glued to TVs and tablets and iPads," said Allyiah.  "Some kids they don't get to play rec sports outside of school. They might not have the funds for it or accessibility to it.  (School) may be the one time they get physical activity or get to play those sports, and I don't think some people realize that.  Trying to get them as active as possible.  Building that foundation of where they want to be active, I want to build that at as young of age as possible and help them have a fun experience."
 
Like her parents, Allyiah believes that making a true impact on her students is her ultimate goal.
 
"I feel like that's what education is all about, building those connections with the kids," said Swiney.  "If you have a connection, they're more willing to learn."
 
Before she becomes a full-time teacher, however, Swiney is intent on doing everything she can to help her team lift the CAA trophy and return to the NCAA regionals at season's end.
 
"I think we're in a really good place right now," said Swiney of her team that opened the year with 12 wins in its first 19 games, including wins over Big Ten members Illinois and Iowa.  "We had one of the best defenses in the country last year, but we've added more pitching and (improved) hitting.  Our coaches created a really tough schedule for us, and that's going to help us when we get into conference (games)."
 
Over her 192-game career, Swiney owns a .304 batting average with 32 doubles, 10 triples, 13 home runs, 120 runs scored, 109 RBI and 30 stolen bases.
 
As a senior, she's hitting a career-best .379 with three homers and 16 RBI.  She says that her innumerable hours of practice – going back to hitting in the cage with her dad, training with her travel ball, high school and college teams – gives her the confidence she needs when facing a Division I pitcher.
 
"As I'm walking up to the box, I can hear everything around me," said Allyiah. "I have a saying that I write on my wrist before each game, 'let go and let God.'  I look at my wrist, look at my bat, take a deep breath and once I step in the box, it's tunnel vision.  I trust my preparation, I've been here a thousand times, you've got all the tools you need, go up there and have fun."
 
As for her role on the Campbell team, she lets her actions speak loudest.
 
"I like to say I'm a silent leader," said Allyiah.  "I'm not always going be the loudest voice. I like to lead by example.  If you want to get to work, let's do it.  I want people to be able to lean on me.  Being the backbone, the support, for the team if they need it."
 
In a world where athlete movement has become routine in college sports, Allyiah continued to choose Campbell – not just for its academic and athletic opportunities – but for the foundation she's established here.
 
"I believe how you find success is to keep building on the foundation you've created," said Allyiah, who along with fellow outfielder Charlie Montgomery are the only four-year seniors on this year's squad.  "It's hard to continue to finding success when you're seeing something new every year.  I take a lot of pride in being here all four years.
On the academic side of things, I started in the exercise science department with Jennie Jones and Dr. (Kimberly) Ballard, I fell in love with it and wanted to continue that outside of sports."
 
Almost halfway through her final collegiate season, Swiney fondly recalls memories of winning the Big South title and playing in the regional and a walk-off grand slam in a win over USC Upstate during her freshman season.  She is quick to add that just as memorable are the times she spends with her elementary school students.
 
"Being able to be with those kids, making an impact on their lives, seeing them excited to see me, just makes my day," she said.
 
For those just starting their collegiate career, she says to enjoy the journey and pursue your goals.
 
"Enjoy it while it lasts; (time) does fly by fast," said Allyiah.  "(It seems like) just yesterday I was walking into Pat Barker (dormitory) and in a few weeks I'll be getting my diploma.  Take it all in while you can. Work hard for the things you want. Set yourself up to be successful when you get out.  Enjoy your time, but don't waste your time."