St. Edward’s University women’s basketball opponents will have another reason to “Fear The Goat” in upcoming seasons. The Hilltoppers have signed Georgetown forward McCall Hampton to continue her athletic and academic careers on the South Austin campus. In formally announcing Hampton’s signing with the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference school, St. Edwards tweeted: “We are thrilled to announce our newest Hilltopper, McCall Hampton.” Hampton, who lists becoming a missionary as one of her possible future goals, was quoted on the school’s athletic Twitter account saying, “I would like to thank the coaching staff and administration at St. Edward’s University for the opportunity to play women’s basketball at the collegiate level. This has been a dream of mine for most of my life and I am extremely proud to attend this fine University and be part of the community.”
When asked at her signing party on the GHS campus this past week, the 5-foot-9 Lady Eagles forward/post had the following answer as to why she picked St. Edward’s: “When I took my campus visit I felt at home,” Hampton said. “I wanted to make sure my choice was the right one. The coaches were great and I loved the players. I was close to home and family and I would be at a campus where our Sun City followers could come and see me play. “I want to be the best teammate I can possibly be and I want to do what will make me successful on both the court and in the classroom.” Hampton, who is starting to make her transition from the post to forward this season at GHS, had several options in choosing her eventual college home, including Navy, Houston Baptist, Mary Hardin-Baylor, UT-Tyler, Oklahoma City University and Wayland Baptist. She said that at the current time she is planning on majoring in communications.
In a tweet to St. Edwards, Georgetown coach Rhonda Farney, told the SEU program the following: “Words can’t express how much work McCall put in for this dream to come true! Your getting a good one.” At the signing party — attended by family, teammates, coaches, friends and a cute doggie in a goat costume — Farney said of Hampton, “I’ve known her most of her life as she has traveled through Little Dribblers, Journey Basketball, Fury, Cy-Fair Premier and all levels of our program (at GHS). “During her career she has been district Newcomer of the Year, all-district, all-region and all-state. Last season, she played on our undefeated district championship team.” Some of her more-prestigious honors go beyond pure athletic performance.
After her junior campaign with the Lady Eagles, Hampton received the state girls Christian Athlete of the Year Award for 2018 on Sunday, March 10, at the 30th annual Christian Athlete of the Year for Texas ceremony held by Lay Witness for Christ International at the D-FW Airport Marriott in Irving. At the same time, she was named the winner of the Joe DeLoach “Paying it forward” Award, which is named in honor of former Olympic and University of Houston sprinter, who is known as the only man to defeat Carl Lewis in Olympic Competition. “McCall has an incredible platform to be an influence for good,” Farney said at the time. “McCall’s sensitivity and passion for others’ salvation is just one attribute that makes her such a special young lady.” Hampton responded to that honor by saying, “Words can’t even describe how thankful I am to have the honor in being the Christian athlete of the year. I wouldn’t be here today without my loving family, friends, church and team. “Life isn’t easy and it’s hard to have faith now days. My journey hasn’t been easy. I have had to overcome trials that have tested my faith in God, but the Lord always reveals himself in the storm. No matter what, trust in God’s plan for your life because he will take you places you never thought you could go.”
As a senior she is one for four Lady Eagles captains and recently was inducted into the National Honor Society. She is the first of the six seniors on this season’s Lady Eagles roster to sign a letter of intent to compete on the next level. At St. Edward’s she will be joining head coach J.J. Riehl’s basketball program, which is off to a 4-0 start. The Hilltoppers, with the Goat as a mascot, are picked ninth in the 18-team, three-division alignment of schools in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. In another tweet on the St. Edward’s site, Hampton’s mother, Tera, said: Signed, sealed, delivered. She’s yours. We can’t wait to be Hilltoppers!!! What a joyous day!!!”