A Bigger Goal: Soccer as more than a sport, but a mission field
Sophia Skelton |
For December 2025 graduate William Bryan (BBA ’25), playing soccer as a forward for Lipscomb University was about more than just scoring goals and winning championships; it was a pathway for growing his faith and sharing the love of Christ.
The journey was evidenced by the establishment of TrueNorth Soccer, whose mission is to “use soccer to transform lives,” which Bryan began while attending Lipscomb. Created as a movement to inspire, train, and empower the next generation of soccer players, the goal is to train them in skill, character, and confidence through intentional coaching, healthy discipline, leadership opportunities, and fostering community.
A native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Bryan transferred from Maryville College to Lipscomb in 2023 to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration in entrepreneurship and join the men’s soccer program. In addition to being close to family and attending a school with an excellent business and soccer program, being a part of a Christ-centered community, both on and off the field, was a key decision-making factor in Bryan’s choice to attend Lipscomb.
“I chose to transfer to Lipscomb because I believed it was a place where I could grow both as a person and as a player,” Bryan said.
Bryan was a standout for the Bison soccer team.
Bryan said his Lipscomb experience has been marked by opportunities to further his education, his career and service, in both the Nashville community and abroad through Lipscomb Missions.
“The professors in the business department have been very supportive of my business ventures and have done a great job preparing me for post-college,” said Bryan. “With this, I’ve met so many amazing people that I know will be lifelong friends.”
“Lipscomb has had a huge impact on my faith,” he said. “I’ve been surrounded by people who have helped me in my sanctification process and challenged me in all aspects of life. With that, I’ve also had the chance to go on multiple mission trips through Lipscomb, which has enriched my understanding of other cultures and deepened my faith and longing to help those less fortunate.”
Success has followed him and his team, as he had the opportunity to start 17 games for the Bisons, contribute five goals and five assists, all while receiving All-District and All-Region academic honors.
Balancing the additional demands of being a student-athlete has contributed to Bryan’s growth in ways that extend beyond the game.
Beyond the record-breaking statistics, balancing the additional demands of being a student-athlete has taught Bryan about the importance of time management. Scheduling time for all of my commitments, which include sports, schoolwork, business commitments and quality time with friends and family, has increased my ability to focus and be flexible,” he said.
“It’s important to be disciplined and have a plan,” Bryan said, “but when you are in a situation where you have many responsibilities, you also have to have flexibility to be successful.”
Bryan said this mindset is especially important when managing the operations of his company, TrueNorth Soccer. In a little over a year, the organization has already sent mission teams to four countries, successfully trained hundreds of athletes from many different backgrounds and sponsored and run Bible camps for various underserved communities.
“Our goal is far beyond helping athletes reach their goals on the field,” said Bryan. “Although that’s important, we are using soccer as a vessel to share the gospel of loving people to the best of our abilities on and off the field.”
This past winter, the organization had the opportunity to do just that. TrueNorth Soccer provided Christmas gifts to Nashville families in need, sent service teams to the Juvenile Justice Center and gifted 150 sweatshirts to the Cumberland Hall Children’s Hospital.
Through networking opportunities and spiritual formation, Bryan said his educational experience at Lipscomb has allowed him to grow holistically as a person, an athlete, a student, a Christian and a business owner.
“Lipscomb has given me the necessary tools to succeed in whatever role the Lord leads me into,” Bryan said. “Above all, the family-centered culture of the men’s soccer team has been deeply impactful, and I am sincerely thankful for the opportunity to grow as both a player and a person at Lipscomb.”
His passion for entrepreneurial endeavours continues post-graduation, as Bryan is now working for Clean Air Technology Solutions, a family-owned business. Offered the opportunity to mentor emerging soccer players, he also recently accepted a job as the head soccer coach for a new consolidated high school, Christian County High School, one of the largest high schools in the state of Kentucky.
“This allows me to give back to a community that gave so much to me,” Bryan said.
Bryan also continues to lead and minister through the missionary work of TrueNorth Soccer.