WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. — Drew Meyer’s path to the classroom and the ballfield didn’t follow a straight line—it wound through the dugouts of Williams Baptist University, across military service, through third-shift factory work, and up power poles as a lineman providing for a family of seven. Now, that journey has earned him one of WBU’s top honors.
The Williams Baptist University Graduate School has named Meyer the recipient of this year’s Graduate MAT Student Award, recognizing his resilience, academic excellence and meaningful contributions to both the classroom and athletics.
“My path to coaching was a road well traveled,” said Meyer. “I feel the life experience I learned along the way has shaped me into the coach I am today.”
After beginning his journey at WBU as a student-athlete, Meyer served in the military, returned to complete his degree in criminal justice, and later enrolled in WBU’s Master of Arts in Teaching program. With five daughters and a demanding career as a lineman, he made the difficult decision to pause his graduate studies to keep his family first.
But purpose has a way of circling back.
At an end-of-year volleyball banquet, Meyer casually mentioned to faculty that his dream was to become a full-time teacher and baseball coach. By divine timing, a school superintendent contacted WBU the next morning in search of a qualified coach. The rest is history.
Within days, Meyer passed his Praxis exam, re-enrolled in the MAT program, and was hired as an elementary physical education teacher, assistant baseball coach and assistant girls basketball coach at Walnut Ridge Schools. Earlier this spring, he helped lead the WRHS baseball team to a conference championship—a fitting capstone to his time in the program.
“Drew’s story is one of grit, humility, and faith,” said Taylor Hoskins of the WBU Graduate School. “He embodies the values we strive to instill in every student: leadership, perseverance and a Christ-centered purpose.”
The Graduate MAT Student Award is given annually to a student who exemplifies excellence in the areas of academic performance, professional growth, and positive impact on the education community.
Meyer, his wife, Latricia, and their five children live in Walnut Ridge.
Williams is a private, Christian university in Walnut Ridge.
press release
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