Shea Headrick after bunting the ball during a softball game at Ringgold High School in Ringgold, GA on August 11, 2014.RINGGOLD, Ga. -- If there was ever a time for a high school senior to be calm and in control, this was it.
Shea Headrick had worked for this her entire life and in just a few months she was going to start living her dream of being both a college student and a softball player. The Heritage infielder, widely known as one of the area's top defensive shortstops, had signed scholarship papers to attend Tennessee Temple University and had met most of the girls she would be playing with.
At a practice for the incoming freshmen the talk centered on the future of the college and its proposed new site off Hickory Valley and Standifer Gap roads. For Headrick, the years of morning workouts and weekends spent playing in tournaments had paid off. She already was counting down the days.
"All we had to do was get my FAFSA (national financial aid) papers together, and we were ready to go," she said. "After that practice I told myself that I was definitely going to be a starter my freshman season. I was so relaxed ... and then this."
TTU administrators were unable to follow through on a planned move to the Woodland Park Baptist Church property and decided to close the college that once had been one of the largest Christian schools in the country.
A merger deal was struck with Piedmont International University, a Christian college in North Carolina, which has agreed to let the Temple students enroll at the same expense they would have had in Chattanooga. That, however, is little help to softball athletes such as Headrick and Bailey Sutton from North Murray.
"The only sports they have are basketball and volleyball, and I don't play either," Headrick said, managing a tiny laugh. "When I first found out from my dad the only thought I had was, 'What am I going to do?' But I truly believe when God closes one door he opens another."
Steve Chattin is counting on it. The Heritage softball coach, well known in collegiate circles, immediately began making phone calls and sending emails when he learned of Headrick's fate. At this time of year most college teams are set on recruits, especially when it comes to high school seniors.
However, with Chattin and other Heritage coaches working their networks, Headrick's dream is far from dead. She's got a tryout set for Bryan College on Monday and also will visit Cleveland State. West Georgia, West Georgia Tech, Berry, Piedmont College (in Georgia) and Point University also have expressed interest.
"Shea was obviously very upset, but since the day she was told she's handled it very well," Chattin said. "Instead of sulking and getting down she became proactive, and together we've made some things happen. What is sad is the Temple deal she had was real good and it's going to be tough to find one that compares for her."
One thing in Headrick's favor is that Bryan, along with Shorter University in Rome, is offering a tuition discount for Temple students. If her tryout is successful, finding the right financial fit could be easier.
"That's what's frustrating to me," Chattin said, "is that she's done all the hard work and now she has to go out and earn another scholarship. We've had some girls who switched schools because of coaching changes, but this was a total surprise."
Headrick also has a backup plan if a softball scholarship can't be found, though she's not ready to give up on the sport that's been a major part of her life.
"If I don't get anything from softball I might stay home for a year and get some core classes in and then find somewhere to walk on," she said. "I know I can play in college. I just need the chance."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.