At the April 16, 2025 Heart of a Champion Dinner, Danika shared her story…
Hello everyone, thank you for being here and inviting me to speak on my experience as a Spartan.
I am the daughter of two Spartan alumni, Rick and Kimberlei Dool, who met during their time at school. My parents always hoped that one day I would attend TWU and invested everything they could into my education. I was drawn to this school by the relationships my parents built during their time; I yearned for a faith-minded community like they had. In my first semester, I walked onto the rugby team, knowing nothing about the sport, and I began to experience this beautiful community firsthand.
The players, mentors, and coaches I have met through Spartan Athletics have shaped me into the version of myself that I am today. I first drove onto campus anxious, insecure, and unable to trust that God had a plan for me because I did not know him for myself. Now, as I speak to you, I am proud of who I am becoming and confident in my identity as a child of God. Being a student-athlete also helped me to develop my communication skills, relational abilities, and strengthen my resilience in the face of challenges.
After four years of undergrad, I am now completing (in less than a month) the teacher certification program at TWU. It is one of the most expensive and time-consuming years; they ask that we do not have any other commitments, and the request to play rugby was already something the program coordinators granted apprehensively. To focus on my calling, I had to trust that God would provide a way for me to do so financially.
God has always provided for me, through student loans, athletic scholarships, family donations, endowment awards, wonderful summer jobs, and significant academic scholarships. Last year, I prayed for guidance, knowing that my typical sources of income would not be enough. Through grants from donors like you, the Spartan Foundation filled in the gaps by August so that I could complete the program of my dreams while playing a final year of rugby.
Just like every single one of my teammates, my time as a Spartan has been transformational. I came in without confidence in myself or God. Yet in my second year, a mentor on my team asked if I would be a spiritual leader with her. I immediately said no. But she persisted, and I shadowed her for a year. She overflowed with the Spirit and taught me that spiritual leadership comes from the spilling of God’s fullness and love, not from ourselves. She saw my ability to lead before I did. I have since led on my team for three years, seeking to see what others cannot yet see in themselves.
Without financial aid from the Spartan Foundation, I would not have been on the leadership team or even played this past year. I am one of many athletes who can say this. I have a teammate who came to TWU rather unconventionally. She swore faith was not for her and explicitly told me to steer clear. She faced immense financial challenges, and after a year, she dropped out to work as we have seen countless times on the rugby team, but as she did so, God moved in her. She reached out and eventually found enough financial aid to come back.
Upon return, she has been a consistent attendee at bible studies and a core uplifter of our team culture. God knew her future at TWU wasn’t over, and for that I am so grateful.
I was asked to share a turning point in my educational journey and this past summer came to mind. I spent part of the summer volunteering in Tunisia as an English teacher through a Trinity connection. It is illegal to spread the gospel in Tunisia, and living out my Faith under strict Islamic laws was eye-opening. I saw how using my gift of teaching can spread God’s love when my words can’t, and this understanding came at the perfect time. I entered my final practicums this year with a renewed sense of purpose and a goal of asking God to use me no matter where I find myself, on the field or in the classroom.
I saw God’s faithfulness woven throughout this year as my team had the most successful season on record (and my prayer for an injury-free year was answered). We had opponents asking about our faith, rugby baptisms and outreach, on top of a huge recruiting class. My sister joined our team this year, and with her brought so much joy. She is currently being brought up as the next discipleship leader and i could not be more excited for where God uses her as a Spartan. God is moving in my life, on my team, within, and beyond the TWU community, all because people offer what they have to further His plans. I hope to one day be able to sit here and follow your example of generosity, knowing firsthand the difference it makes in the lives of student athletes. Thank you for answering this call, and I hope you have a wonderful evening.
-Danika Dool (Women’s Rugby Alumni – 2025)
