"Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others." -Jack Welch.
 
Grand Canyon University Club Pickleball's Carter Eldridge and Grand Canyon University CrossFit's Madison Hinman have both stepped up into leadership roles since arriving on the GCU campus. Both have risen to the top of their respective sports and poured into those around them along the way and were clear choices for the GCU Club Sports September Student-Athletes of the Month.
 
Carter Eldridge: Club Pickleball
 
"It's a major part of my life. Don't know where I would be without it." 
 
For Carter Eldridge, Grand Canyon University represented certain things during his senior year at Horizon Christian High School in Portland, Oregon two years ago. A college in a city he'd never been to. A way to live outside of the Oregon borders for the first time. A place that came to the forefront of his college plans because it marketed so well in his area and wasn't expensive. A place to get out of the rain. 
 
Now it's a place that's given him a whole new outlook.
 
"My graduating class (at HCHS) was 35 people, and about 15 of us came here to GCU, so I had to learn how to function in a bigger place," said Eldridge. "The atmosphere here, though, has totally helped my faith. It's really the first time that I felt a great spiritual connection with the classmates around me and with God."
 
Likewise, Eldridge's views about the sport of pickleball were also completely different in 2021. It was a sport that his grandparents introduced him to. He originally considered it an "old people's sport" until he learned more about it and played more. It was something he played with the family… and that's it.
 
Now the Lopes' junior isn't just serious about his own pickleball skills. The self-admitted introvert is helping grow the sport, his teammates' skills,and himself as the president of GCU Club Pickleball. 
 
"I heard there was a GCU Pickleball club, but I was too scared to learn how to join," admitted Eldridge. "Once I did, I started taking it more seriously and got really involved, Then the previous team president gave me the president's role. I didn't know how I would do this, since I knew I'd have to gain experience with public speaking and leading."
 
It's opened more doors for the Sports & Entertainment Management major than just being a team leader.
 
"It's made campus life easier, since I have people all around that can help navigate through tough things," said Eldridge. "I have a lot of presentations in business, and it's helped me navigate through those as well. It's given me great peers to help think alike and help guide me on the right path."
 
Eldridge – whose goal is to eventually work in the pickleball industry - has seen the club experience major growth, more than tripling its roster numbers in just two years, and even reaching the DUPR National Tournaments last season. But while the club approaches national stages, seeing that growth and success brings Eldridge back to the fact the game's simplicity makes it special.
 
"it's cheap, all ages can play, and it can be a social or competitive event," said Eldridge. "It's so awesome to watch everyone that's brand-new learn to excel and step up their levels of dedication to come to practice and improve. It's also really cool to see our team's officers step up, put in so much effort, and give new ideas that make the club flourish. We all collaborate on travel, practices, etc. and it's such a great camaraderie."
 
Next year, there will be another Eldridge joining the club. 
 
If Carter has anything to say about it.
 
"While Mom and Dad (Kim and Brian) also learned the game from my grandparents, so when I go home for the summer, I play with Dad in tournaments, my younger sister, Hannah, hasn't really gotten into it," said Eldridge. "She's a high school senior, though, and said she's going to GCU and plans on joining the club. I'm going to hold her to it."
 
Madison Hinman: CrossFit
 
"For me, the draw of CrossFit is the way that it constantly pushes me to grow both inside and outside of the gym."
 
And for GCU CrossFit Student Leader Madison Hinman, the growth has come in the way of fitness and leadership.
 
Finishing 12^th in the RX Female division at the recent 2023 Northern California Classic, Hinman had a moment to reflect on her journey in the sport.
 
"Growing up with three sisters, I played a lot of sports, but it wasn't really until 2021 that I gave CrossFit a try," said Hinman. "From there, I saw that GCU had a CrossFit club and honestly, that was one of the main reasons I chose to come here. After my first year, I was asked to step up (as an)assistant coach and now I am a student leader for the club."
 
Although not every athlete in GCU CrossFit competes, Hinman has made it a staple in her life.
 
"I went to my first [competition] as a freshman and have been hooked ever since," said Hinman. "I've been blessed to continue to compete in and travel to so many amazing events over the years. I'll be competing in Phoenix next month and then going to Denver right after."
 
When asked about what she loves most about the CrossFit competitions, Hinman had a simple answer.
 
"I love that each one is a bit different," said Hinman. "There's a wide variety of skills and lifts and you never really know what to expect."
 
Speaking of variety, GCU CrossFit features a heavy dose, and that variety has led to a tight-knit community - one that Hinman has a front row view.
 
"Practices are a mix of all different levels, and that's been really awesome," said Hinman. "We make sure to do a group check-in to see how everyone is doing, and then we get into warmups, strength pieces, and a workout at the end. It's always a great time filled with amazing fitness progress by everyone involved."
 
The club has certainly seen some massive growth since Hinman has taken over as an assistant coach/student leader, and it doesn't plan on stopping any time soon.
 
"Our main goal is always healthy growth," Hinman said. "Last year, we had around 10 members, and now we're already near 20 registered with more interested. I hope we have more join, but regardless, this year has been turning out to be great already."
 
Speaking of goals, Hinman has a few of her own to speak of.
 
"As a senior, my degree is going to be in Marketing and Advertising, but I want to return to grad school after I finish and become a dietitian," Hinman said.
 
While acknowledging the challenges of running a club on campus while balancing the other responsibilities of being a senior (with further academic plans), Hinman spoke of further purposes.
 
"It is definitely tough at times, but more than anything, I love being able to help other students grow in their fitness and watch how they pour into my life as well."