Selah Yearbook 1991-92

Scott Pooch Seizes the Day

By K i m Davis "Carpe Diem" ("Seize the Day") should not only be the motto of the "Dead Poet's Society," it should be the motto of every college student striving for greatness.

Sports, missions and people have played an important part in helping Scott Pooch, senior physical education major, develop this ambition to grow and learn.

Pooch, as he is commonly k n o w n around campus, began his college career at Maranatha Baptist Bible College and later m o v e d on to Pillsbury. H e came to L U in 1987. This w a s his first trip to the East Coast.

"I had never been to this side of the country before," he said. "I wanted to stay in a Christian school, but I also wanted a variety of classes and student activities."

Pooch took advantage of what L U had to offer.

Although he came with a desire to play football and basketball, athletic competition held a m u c h different challenge - running.

While at L U , Pooch ran track for three years and cross-country for one year. During this time, he met Traci Tidwell, a m e m b e r of the women's track team w h o would later become his fiancee.

She was a source of inspiration to him. " W e would run and lift together," Pooch said. "She encouraged m e to work out w h e n I wouldn't have otherwise."

Although distance running w a s physically demanding, Pooch enjoyed the challenge. H e also enjoyed making n e w friends. "I like cheering for teammates as m u c h as I like racing," Pooch said.

His most memorable experience was their Spring Break trip to Florida. "It w a s a good time to train together and grow closer as a team through the activities outside of practice."

Pooch also took advantage of missions opportuniPhoto by Tim Albertson ties. In the fall of 1990, he went to Kenya, Africa. A s a m e m b e r of T e a m 7, he spent four months in the Turkana tribe building, preaching and doing numerous other and Irene (team leaders), and Traci and Merrilea (LU tasks without the luxuries such things as hot showers graduates and short-term missionaries in Kenya) are memories I will cherish deeply for the rest of m y life." and air conditioning.

Although Pooch plans to teach and coach after graduH e also saw people living in very poor and unsanitary conditions - some with only the clothes they wore on ation, he is still seeking God's will. "I a m definitely their backs. "You k n o w there are people living like open to the possibility of missions," he said.

A person's college years can be memorable and that, but it can never really strike you as reality until valuable ones, but according to Pooch, books and classes you're actually a m o n g them." are not the only important tools for learning - the key is According to Pooch, Kenya is a place where the rubber meets the road as far as missions work is to be well-rounded.

"Studies are important, but it's also important to concerned. Here, the lessons of humility, faith in G o d maintain a good balance," he said. "Too m a n y people and flexibility became more of a reality to him than try to rush through, and they miss a lot of important ever before.

"It stretched m e in so m a n y ways and forced m e to things college has to offer."

His advice is simple. "You have your whole life to do things I didn't k n o w I could do," Pooch said. "I work," Pooch said. "While you're in school, take learned more during those four months than I have the advantage of all the opportunities you can and m a k e whole six and one-half years I've been in college. The times and adventures shared with m y teammates, Rick friendships that will last."