Approximately 33, 494 players partake in college softball with 8.5% of U.S. high school players making it to play softball at the collegiate level. The percentage that high school players who make it to play in Division I is 1%.  For Laurén Schiek, softball entered her life at 9 after playing baseball with her father and brother. From making the travel team to winning the ASA National Championship, Schiek knew she was locked in pursuing a dream that she believed was meant for her as a gift by God. “By the grace of God, I was able to play overseas in the Dominican Republic and lived out my dream of receiving a Division I softball scholarship to play at Santa Clara University and Abilene Christian University,” Laurén states. Schiek played high school ball at Lourdes Academy where she would dominate all four years. As a team captain, Laurén helped lead Lourdes Academy to their first conference championship game as a sophomore and was part of both the team’s conference and regional championship teams, secured MVP honors all four years, First-Team All-Conferences, First-Team All-Districts, First-Team All-Area honors, and was named both All-State in her senior year and Wisconsin High School Sports Awards Softball Finalist. Schiek was also named Conference Player of the Year twice in her sophomore and junior years after having two historic pitching seasons with 257 strikeouts (sophomore year), a state-high 298 strikeouts along with a 1.48 ERA (junior year), and holding the state record for strikeouts in a game with 20 and career triples in a season as well as part of Oshkosh Northwestern’s Best of the Best All-Area.

Laurén began her college career at Santa Clara University where she played three years for the Broncos. During the three years at Santa Clara, Schiek appeared in 55 games where she started 11 including pitching scoreless innings against UC Riverside, UC Davis, and Saint Francis in her junior year. After playing 3 years for the Broncos including a redshirt season, Laurén transferred to Abilene Christian University (ACU) to finish her collegiate softball career. Throughout playing 5 years in college, Schiek was an NFCA Division I All-American Scholar Athlete, FCA Female Athlete of the Year, ACU Female Athlete of the Year, and was the first NIL-sponsored athlete in ACU’s history. 

As a student-athlete, time management is key. With both a Bachelor's in Marketing from Santa Clara and a Master’s degree in Business Analytics from Abilene Christian University (where she also scored a 4.0 GPA) under her belt, Schiek describes some of the things that helped her succeed in the classroom including time management. “If you can plan ahead and use some form of scheduler (Google Calendar), you can find a rhythm to map out your day to keep you on track and focused.” Laurén also emphasizes building relationships with professors and other students has helped her connect and learn from others and provides a secret ingredient that helped her with the opportunities provided. “I have found if you put God first and then work hard, the rest falls into place,” Schiek states. 

College softball continues to rise in viewership as 1.6 million people watched  Oklahoma win their third straight Women’s College World Series (WCWS) title and extend their win streak to 53 wins. For Laurén, she sees the sport continuing to make an impact as more people tune in to the WCWS each season. After playing her last year of collegiate softball, Schiek states that she was called into the business world as she became a part of the “I Am Second” organization as well as being a mentor for student-athletes from middle school to college with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Texas. “Within the sport, God has led me to be a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes here in Texas, where I can serve middle, high school, and collegiate athletes and inspire them to walk boldly in the Lord on and off the field,” Laurén states.

Schiek advises the upcoming generation of athletes to allow their faith in God to direct their path and trust in God. “When you seek God first and the will he has set for your life, you will find the greatest joy, love, and peace you could ever imagine that you can’t ever be fulfilled by winning a championship,” Laurén explains. Schiek also advises the athletes to put in the work as nothing is given, but it is earned. “Nothing is given, you have to go out every day and perfect your craft. God has given each person unique abilities. Find what makes you, you, and be the best at it, perfect it, and give God the glory.” 

Laurén continues to utilize her faith as she credits her relationship with Jesus Christ and views Him as her rock and foundation and the main role model. Schiek also states that her father motivates her as she described that he has impacted her life both on and off the field and has taught her to put God First. From the teachings of her father and her faith in God, Schiek has started a podcast called “For His Glory,” a platform that she has created to share the Gospel and spread the light of Christ. 

For Laurén Schiek, her faith has made her journey inspiring. When asked what made her story stand out, Schiek responded with grace: “The most important thing I would want someone to take away from my story is that it is not me, it is all God and it's all for His glory. I am blessed more than I deserve and forever grateful for the opportunities the Lord has provided. From our greatest trials come the greatest joys, God is always working. Keep trusting in Him and allowing Him to be your refuge and strength. Just like sports, life is hard. There are points that it drops you to your knees. When you do, look up. Seek God and ask for Him to reveal Himself to you. He never fails.” Laurén described how her faith has helped transform her during her lowest moments.  “I have been humbled and know that I am an unworthy sinner, but Jesus came, died on the cross, and made me worthy. “He covers our sins, he covers all of the broken pieces in our hearts and restores them,” Schiek explains. “We all have trials we must face and overcome in this life and our sports. My encouragement is that you don’t have to do it alone. God is right there. Ask Him to abide in you, to come into your heart. You will be forever changed. No game, title, position, or authority can ever compare to a relationship with Jesus Christ. It isn’t my story, it’s all for His glory.”

To learn more about  Laurén and her journey, be sure to follow her on IG: laurenschiek23.