Feature Story
Rekindling Faith and Purpose Through Teammates and Institute: Harrison Moore’s Story
After experiencing an injury that benched him from playing baseball in junior college and some family difficulties, Harrison Moore (’25) found himself unsure of what he wanted or which path to take in his life. After deciding to attend Southern Virginia University at his sister’s invitation, Moore found belonging and purpose through his teammates and institute classes.
“Many people come to Southern Virginia to find what they’re going to do in life,” Moore started. “I came here not knowing what I wanted. But this past year, I worked on myself, spiritually and mentally, and now I know what I want. I want to be a friend to everyone around me, to be loving and friendly. I also want to become a husband and father one day. That’s the man I want to be.”
From Hartsville, South Carolina, Moore brought his brother to Southern Virginia when he joined his sister, a 2022 graduate. Unsure if he wanted to play baseball or would be able to, he decided to pursue his love of art by joining the university’s art program and found help and peace there.
“Art was a way of coping with the difficult things in my life,” Moore said, “Then, I got really good at it, and it helped me find who I am and the career path I want. And I love how amazing the professors are in the art program. They help me throughout the whole process and only speak positively. And my classmates are super nice as well. We all joke and laugh, and we have become very close. We each want each other to succeed.”
At first, Moore resisted joining Southern Virginia’s baseball team due to the negative environment he had experienced with his high school team. But when the coach reached out to him personally, Moore decided to give it a chance, joined as a pitcher, and found more than just teammates.
The team’s culture of supporting one another and sharing the gospel provided Moore with a sense of belonging and spiritual renewal. With his teammates’ support, he began attending church again and found himself feeling spiritually rejuvenated.
“Before I came here, my testimony was nothing at all,” said Moore. “I’d go to church, and then I’d stop for a bit. Then, I started going to institute classes with my coach and my team, and learning their stories and hearing them teach the gospel brought me back to life. It helped me realize why I’m here, what I should be doing with my life, my plan, and the plan that God has for me.”
During his time as a student, Moore has learned the value of playing hard, doing his best to not make mistakes, and relying on others to have his back while doing everything he can to lift his teammates and others up as they have done for him.