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The University of Mississippi Athletics
FEATURE: Born A Rebel
12/1/2016 | Soccer
By Brandon Lee, Ole Miss Athletics Communications
Note: A previous version of this story was published in the Ole Miss Football game program on Oct. 29. Edits have been made to this version to correct time-sensitive information pertaining to the story.
A little under two months ago on one October afternoon, Sara Coleman found herself reflecting on her life before college, her time as a Rebel, and how things have changed since her arrival to Oxford.
In the background playing with her toys was Parker, Sara's daughter. If you've ever been to the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium, you may have noticed a young, vibrant Rebel -- often times donning a cheerleading outfit -- shouting for her mommy and "best friends" from the stands.
Those best friends to Parker, who happen to be Sara's 24 teammates, are more than just friends in the eyes of Sara. So are the ones who've come and gone in Sara's time in Oxford.
If you ask her now, Sara will tell you she's had her whole life planned out for a long time.
"I've had it mapped out since I was in 10th grade," Coleman said. "I will be graduating in June with a Master's degree in Elementary Education, with emphasis in math and science. I will then start working as a teacher at an elementary school, preferably third, fourth or fifth grade. I just want to have a house, live with my little girl and go to work, come home and take her to soccer, gymnastics or whatever she wants to do besides cheerleading."
As of now, the plan seems to be on the right track, as the Laurel, Mississippi native completed her undergrad degree in just three years and never made anything but an A in the classroom.
But, before all of her current plans are coming to fruition, with more still to come, there was a bump in the road that's now resulted in one of the greatest gifts she could ever receive.
"It was during Christmas break when I found out I was pregnant," Coleman said of learning of the news. "It was terrifying and I cried a lot. The first call I made outside the family was Matt (Mott), because he had to know. He had already told me that I had the starting spot for the next year, so in my mind I thought he had to know so he can be training people for that spot."
After emotion overtook her on the phone that night during Christmas break in 2012, Coleman's dad ultimately broke the news to Mott. Immediately, the now seventh-year head coach was 100 percent supportive of Sara and urged her dad that same night to encourage Sara to return to at least finish out her freshman year in Oxford.
So, not long after, Coleman did in fact return to begin the spring semester. The only ones left to break the news to were her teammates. Two teammates -- Jessica Hiskey and Olivia Harrison -- were the first to know, which was by accident. But soon after, Coleman decided she wanted to inform her closest friends -- the freshman class -- first, before alerting the entire team.
"I decided I wanted to tell the freshman class before I let the whole team know, so we were eating at a Mexican restaurant where I broke the news," Coleman said. "Georgia (Russell) actually started laughing because she thought it was a joke. I didn't cry, because I had said it so many times I couldn't cry. Jess said, `No, she really is pregnant.' A couple of players went up there with me so I wouldn't have to stand by myself."
Fast forward to July 27, 2013, the day now three-and-a-half-year-old Parker was born two months premature. The birth of Parker obviously took Sara out of not only school, but competition for the months following.
"Right after I had Parker, I started working out to try and get back in shape," Coleman said. "I was still doing classes online at a junior college back home, but I took only six hours so I wasn't full time that way I didn't lose a year of eligibility. That kept me caught up, that way I wasn't too behind."
After keeping herself on track during that academic year, Coleman made it back to the Ole Miss campus to begin work again, both in the classroom and on the field, in May 2014.
Since, Coleman came back stronger than ever finishing her career with 80 games played in her collegiate career with three goals and nine assists.
But, it's the off-field moments that have meant the most for Sara and daughter Parker. Those same 24 teammates, and all former ones, are the same student-athletes Sara and Parker call "aunts." For that reason, Coleman will be forever grateful.
"I don't think people can understand how much it means to me that they've been here to support and help raise my daughter," Coleman said. "They have an impact in her life; she knows all their names, how they are, and loves hanging out with them. And they know her too, and know what she likes, what she doesn't like. I can't even put into words how grateful I am to have such an amazing team and coaching staff to be here for me and Parker. They've impacted my life, but they've also impacted hers in a positive way."
