The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Peterson's Dreams No Long Shot
5/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
May 28, 2010
Photos from Whatley Field Day and Brazil
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- It's not unusual for college athletes to dream of playing in another country, but most of them don't dream of playing against people a foot shorter and half their age. That's what sets Amanda Peterson's dreams apart.
Peterson just wrapped up her junior year as a starting guard for the UAB women's basketball team and it was her best season yet. The Homewood, Ala., native lit up the court for a school-record 83 3-pointers and helped her team to the Conference USA Championship game for the first time in nine years.
But what makes Peterson's face light up faster than one of her quick-trigger treys? Just ask her about her volunteer work through the Church of the Highlands.
Last May, Peterson traveled to Lodrina, Brazil, with a group from Church of the Highlands to spend time working in an orphanage and running basketball camps. Although the 5-10 guard had to learn a few key Portuguese phrases to instruct the children, such as "run here," "shoot," and "very good," she says the language barrier was insignificant because the group was able to convey its love and care to the children.
"The people of Brazil really taught me how to love because they are so passionate about one another," Peterson said. "They truly care about each other and even showed that same love to us."
Upon her return from Brazil, Peterson's community involvement continued to blossom through the Church of the Highlands' Dream Center. The Dream Center is a building located in Woodlawn that the church bought and renovated to use as an outreach center. Last summer, Peterson, along with teammates TaRonda Randall and Jala Harris, played 3-on-3 basketball with middle school and high school boys from the community at the center's grand opening.
"The children usually just need someone to show them love and encourage them to achieve something," Peterson said. "The love and thankfulness you receive from helping them is incredibly rewarding. The excitement I saw in that community that day really inspired me to stay involved."
And she has followed through on that. Last week, Peterson and her sister, Leah, volunteered at Whatley Elementary School as part of the school's first-ever Field Day, organized by the Dream Center. This month, the Dream Center put together three Field Days for schools that had never had one. Activities ranged from basketball and bowling to potato sack races and face painting.
Peterson's volunteer work doesn't stop there. During her three-year tenure in the Green and Gold, she has spent time at the McWane Center's summer camp and visited Forestdale Elementary School to share what it takes to be a student-athlete and encourage the children to stay focused in school. Along with Randall, she also has spoken to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Chelsea Middle School.
While Peterson will step back onto the court this fall for her final season in the Green and Gold, her dreams of playing in another country likely won't be dreams anymore. After she graduates, Peterson plans to return to Lodrina.
"My experience in Brazil can't really be put into words," Peterson said. "I just know the Lord is calling me back there."
Back to a place where dreams of playing against people a foot shorter and half her age are a reality that light up her world.
