THE STRENGTH OF A WOMAN
6/13/2024 12:33:00 PM | Acrobatics & Tumbling, Champions' TriBUne
This University has given me opportunities I never thought were possible
Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Bayley Humphrey, a three-time NCATA All-American and the 2022 Specialist of the Year, was part of four national championship teams with acrobatics & tumbling. A native of Chandler, Ariz., Baylor earned her undergrad degree in health science studies and has already been accepted to the UTMB master's program to become a Pathologist Assistant. Bayley also won six individual NCATA national championships, including three-straight in Seven-Element Acro.
My senior year of high school, I made a very drastic decision of deciding to end my career in artistic gymnastics. After 10 years, I had found that my heart wasn't into the sport anymore, and I knew it was best to just enjoy my senior year of high school. However, something in my gut told me I wasn't done being an athlete. I took a risk and decided to do a sport I have never even done before, which was acrobatic gymnastics. After I retired from artistic gymnastics, I had convinced myself that there was no way I could be a collegiate athlete because nobody would want me, simply because I had retired from the sport I did my whole life. When it came to deciding where I would go to college, I decided I was going to do a year at community college to try to make the national team for Acro, and then decide where to go from there. However, throughout my senior year of high school, a friend kept telling me about potentially doing acrobatics and tumbling in college. I had done some research and decided to reach out to Baylor to learn about this opportunity. After attending Baylor's summer camps, I knew I wanted to try to pursue this opportunity in college.
The minute I stepped onto Baylor's campus, my immediate thought was "home." I knew that Baylor was the school for me when I saw that the coaches and support staff care about their students in every aspect. I knew in my heart that Baylor was more than a school, it was a community. My freshman year at Baylor was a unique one not just for myself, but for every college student on campus. Freshman year was simply known as the "COVID" year. That freshman year at Baylor taught me one thing, and that was gratitude and excitement for the sport you come to love. I was so grateful to be part of this amazing sport that was made for women, by women, as well as giving us all an opportunity to learn a new sport together.
I was so excited to be part of a team where it was about so much more than myself, as well as representing the number 45 on my back. March of my freshman year was when I learned the true aspect of being a team as well as a teammate. After tearing my Achilles, I went through a mental obstacle. I had a hard time coping with my injury and went down a spiral. I then came to the realization of just how amazing my coaches, teammates and support staff were to me during my tough times. It came to a point where I asked myself, "What is my role now on this team? How can I be a good teammate to those that have been there for me?" This sport full of strong women has taught me that each and every one plays an important role. I learned that even though I was injured, my role was to be the biggest cheerleader for my teammates and be there if they needed a shoulder to cry on.
Coach Felecia Mulkey has truly shaped me into the person I am today. She has built and taught me from the time I was 18 years old to the time I graduated when I was 22. She has taught me how to mentally handle the tough things that come my way, and to be confident while also remaining humble. She had created a sport that celebrated muscles and strength, and showing me and the rest of the world that strong women are beautiful. There were some hard days where I struggled knowing my body was built differently, but it wasn't until I joined this sport that I saw how amazing it is to see and be around so many strong women. Because of this sport, I found my love for athletics again, as well as the self confidence to show that Baylor Bears are simply undeniable.
The sport of acrobatics & tumbling has changed my life, as well as all the little girls who are going to be part of the movement and be part of this amazing sport forever. Watching little girls come up to my teammates and I saying, "I want to do this sport one day" is what makes all the sweat, tears and hard days at practice worth every minute of it. To show that strength and power as a woman is elegant and should be celebrated. I will forever be grateful to the University that has given me opportunities I never thought I would have in my life and for teaching me so many things I will carry into my future.
I am also super excited to announce how blessed I am for all the amazing opportunities I have ahead. This summer, I will be traveling to California for a camp with the USA women's rugby Olympics team, as well as traveling to Florida for a trip with the WWE to potentially continue my athletic career. Another option is I have been accepted into the UT Medical Branch master's program to become a Pathologist Assistant. I'm super excited to pursue all these options and see where I end up.
Love,
Bayley Humphrey #45
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