Breanna Bumgardner, former Gibbs High School standout catcher, was named ACC Player of the Week on April 18, 2024.

Breanna went 7 of 8 at the plate with four home runs, one double and seven RBI for a .875 batting percentage to help her Bryan College team notch a 2-0 winning week.

As impressive as the Player of the Week announcement may be, there is more to Breanna’s story. I was blessed to coach her mom, Susan, so many years ago and I know the character instilled behind the statistics.

Breanna started playing tee-ball at 6-years-old, coached by mom and dad, Susan and Cory.

Moving quickly to travel ball, Breanna played with several teams before spending her middle and high school years with Carol Mitchell, renowned Gibbs High School coach.

Despite injuries and surgeries during her freshman year, and shortened high school years due to Covid, Breanna managed over .300 batting averages each year the team could field a team, notching a stellar senior season.

Breanna graduated from Gibbs High in 2021, lettering all four years with her senior year accomplishing her highest statistics: .484 batting average, 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 59 hits. She claimed All State, All Tournament, and All District her senior year.

Earning a softball scholarship to Bryan College, she began studying elementary education in the fall of 2021.

Breanna chose the major because she loves children and enjoys teaching. As a junior, she will be student teaching this fall before she graduating in May 2025.

She is dedicated, humble and works hard in all she does. She plays multiple positions on the softball team depending on the need at the time. She has played injured, sick and healthy, only missing one practice in the past three years.

Her leadership and relationship skills are most evident as she was voted team captain by her teammates and coaches this year.

Her mom, Susan, says she told her and her sister that being friendly and kind is what people will remember you by not you’re your stats, not your accomplishments. Let the world see Jesus in you.

That is exactly who Breanna has become as a person. She loves the game of softball, but she says, “I love Jesus more.” She leads her team in Bible study several nights a week and is available to mentor and listen to friends or family at any time.

Her favorite quotes quite expectedly come from the Bible. This one quite mirrors her outlook on life: “The faithful love of the LORD never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness, mercies begin afresh every morning.”

Breanna Bumgardner will be a blessing when teaching the future generations to come.

All of us have a story and I want to tell yours! Send them to susan@knoxtntoday.com.