Sara Bond, a first-year student in Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy, is balancing two demanding worlds: the fast pace of pharmacy school and the rigors of being a Division I softball player.
Originally from Perkinston, Mississippi, Bond is enrolled in Samford’s pharmacy fast-track program, which allows students to begin graduate-level coursework after just two years of undergraduate study. That transition brought an extra challenge—starting pharmacy school while still competing on the softball field as a pitcher for the Bulldogs.
“Many people knew my plan of continuing softball while being in pharmacy school, and they kept asking if I thought I could do both because they’re both so demanding,” Bond said.
It was a question she also asked herself. But with strong organizational skills and a clear sense of purpose, she leaned into the challenge.
“I’m very task-oriented, so I plan out my day down to the hour,” she said. On average, she spends four hours in class, sometimes longer with lab sessions. “I dedicate four to five hours to studying and another three to four hours to softball,” she added.
Bond also makes time for relationships—especially with her teammates. “This year has been tough, especially missing practices because of school,” she said. “But I know how important team chemistry is, so I try to be intentional with the time I do have.”
Her biggest takeaway? Staying present.
“What I’ve learned is that I need to be where my feet are and stay in the moment,” she said. Bond also views her journey as a way to live out her faith. “God has blessed me with two environments where I can give Him honor and glory. I remind myself of my why—this is the life I prayed for.”
Why Samford?
For Bond, choosing Samford was easy.
“I chose Samford because of its strong Christian foundation, competitive academics and the opportunity to continue playing the sport I love,” she said. “From the beginning, I felt like the faculty and coaching staff truly cared about me—not just as a student or athlete, but as a whole person.”
That support continues to shape her experience. Her coaches understand her academic demands and care about her well-being.
“Every day at practice they ask how my day was,” she said. “They care about who I am, not just how I perform.”
Her professors share that same mindset.
“They know how demanding my schedule is and are incredibly supportive,” Bond said. “When I travel in the spring, I work directly with professors on makeup assignments. They’re flexible and they even keep up with Samford Softball—it really shows they care.”
A Community of Student-Athletes
Bond isn’t alone in juggling a rigorous academic path with extracurricular excellence. Pre-pharmacy students like Joi Hubbard (softball), Adrianna Cantrell (marching band) and Jacob Gettman (football) bring the same focus and drive to their campus roles as they do to their future careers in health care.
Samford’s culture of support spans the entire campus. The university’s commitment to student-athletes is evident—its athletic teams recently earned a 98 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR), ranking among the top Division I programs nationally. These students are united by a passion for health care and a desire to thrive in all areas of student life.
