Words By Jacelyn Lassiter
Age: 21
Sport: Soccer
High School: Cedar Hill HS
School: Texas Christian University (TCU)
Position: Center Forward/ 9 Positioning
Height: 5’8
Class: Senior
GPA: 3.3
Texas Christian University (TCU) women’s soccer has been dominating the competition this season. With their victorious win over Kansas, they set the tone during the opener to the Big 12. TCU has won nine straight Big 12 games dating back to the 2020 campaign, and have gone unbeaten in its last ten, since the start of 2020. With Messiah Bright on the team, more tremendous victories are waiting to happen. The 5’8 center forward is using her positive mentality to be a charismatic leader, a valuable team player and a self-motivated student athlete.
The senior nine-positioner has acclimated over the years to possess these characteristics, becoming an asset to the team. One thing about Bright is that she has strong faith in her teammates. Her success is one that she feels without her teammates, wouldn’t be possible. Since Bright has been a part of the team, they have made three consecutive NCAA appearances. This selfless leader has cultivated her own legacy that she will leave with her teammates whom she calls her family.
“As you can see, I mention my teammates a lot, which should hopefully help show how much they mean to me. Everyone gets along and we are all so very close. I think it’s outstanding being on a team who shares the same goals and values that you have. Knowing that everyone has your back and is willing to fight for you on and off the field speaks tremendous value and it’s just something that you treasure for a lifetime. I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
Not only does she win on the field, but off the field as well. The 2019 and 2020 1st-Team Academic All-Big 12 student athlete has learned over her college career how important it is to not just focus on the sport, but also on her books. As a Strategic Communications major, her strategy — which includes her determination and willingness to learn in the classroom — has created a sense of wholeness and balance in her life.
“I am always determined to learn new things in the classroom, and with that my willingness to learn has always transferred over onto the field or whenever I’m getting and applying information from my coaches.”
Bright’s acceleration in her studies often goes unnoticed along with her success in soccer. Although soccer may be her #1 love, it is not the only thing she is shooting for. When she isn’t competing, practicing or studying, Bright likes to engage in photography. As a student athlete with a substantial amount of work to do both on the field and in the classroom, this creative outlet provides Bright with some much-needed relief to all the stress.
“I am always determined to learn new things in the classroom, and with that my willingness to learn has always transferred over onto the field or whenever I’m getting and applying information from my coaches.”
Messiah Bright
“I love photography. I consider it a hobby of mine when I just want to decompress from life and social media. I own a Nikon, and it’s one of my favorite gadgets that I own. I love to shoot portrait photos, nature shots and pretty much anything that I have an eye for.”
This Big 12 Championship Offensive MVP is doing everything right when it comes to living her best college life. From her campus engagement to the field and balancing her academics, Messiah Bright is “that girl.” After college, she hopes to further her athletic career by joining the USA women’s professional soccer team. With Bright’s senior year currently in progress, she is determined to leave a lasting impression on TCU and soccer fans around the nation.
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As TCU women’s soccer season continues to prevail, DW wishes Cedar Hill native Messiah Bright a healthy and winning season. We also congratulate Bright on her countless accomplishments and success as she pushes to take her team to a Big 12 Championship.
Accomplishments:
(TEAM)
2020 Big 12 Conference Champs
- First Time in school history, undefeated season
3 consecutive NCAA appearances:
- 2018 NCAA appearance
- 2019 NCAA appearance
- 2020 NCAA appearance
2020 NCAA Elite 8 Finalist
2020 National Seed #4 (highest rank in TCU history)
2019 Big 12 Championship appearance
2018 highest rank of 24
2019 highest rank of 17
(INDIVIDUAL)
2021 (Currently):
- TCU Student Athlete of the Week
- Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
- Top Drawer Team of the Week (Nationally)
2020 United Soccer Coaches 2nd-Team All-Midwest Region
2020 2nd-Team All-Big 12
2020 1st-Team Academic All-Big 12
2019 United Soccer Coaches 2nd-Team All-Midwest Region
2019 1st-Team All-Big 12
2019 1st-Team Academic All-Big 12
Ranked No. 71 on TopDrawerSoccer’s Top 100 (2019)
2019 Big 12 Championships Offensive MVP
2019 Big 12 Female Student Athlete of the Year Finalist
2018 Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year
2018 TopDrawerSoccer.com Freshmen Best XI
Ranked No. 16 on TopDrawerSoccer’s Top 100 Freshmen (2018)
2018 United Soccer Coaches 2nd-Team All-Midwest Region
2018 2nd-Team All-Big 12
2018 Big 12 All-Freshman Team
2018 Break out Student-Athlete of the Year