the perfect knight
“Yeah man, East Carolina already wants her to come play for them.” It was the first I had heard of this rarely used Freshman who had less than 25 at bats for HC Mike Lambros her first year at North Davidson. As my then broadcast partner Nick Jarvis continued, “she’s pretty good”, I admittingly dismissed my friend’s claims with a, “let’s wait and see” attitude, focusing more on the eight Seniors and their run to a State Championship that season.
What I didn’t realize at the time was Faith Jarvis would go on to be one of the best Lady Knights in school history. Not only for her play but also for the level of importance to the program and community at North. The former righty turned lefty certainly deserves the praise, whether she wants it or not. That seems to be a good place to start seeing how #2, although versatile in every other situation, only had one response when someone complimented her. It was the same response we would want all our kids to have and be proud of, a smile and soft laugh of humility accompanied by a gracious, “Thank you.” I argued once her walk-up music should have not been from Jay-Z but instead from Tim McGraw. No, “Humble and Kind,” (which ironically was released her first year in an Orange and Black uniform) would have been a bit anti-climatic and fallen short of getting the leadoff hitter for North fired up as she stepped into the box, but it would have certainly fit her well. We all watched as Faith “climbed those mountains,” which included losing Coach ahead of her Senior year and having her role as the backbone of the team grow each season, and every opportunity she got she made sure to take care of those around her. If you ask anyone who has played on a team with Faith or coached her they’ll tell you what the people in Greenville are about to find out, she is an example of what it means to be selfless and relentless.
If its true that people may not always remember what you did but how you made them feel, then Faith’s demeanor and the impression she has left on others at North is something to celebrate. As many of you know Faith was a member of our broadcast crew during football on the Knights Sports Network this past season. Going into the season opener at Tabor she had obviously erased any doubts in mind about her ability on the softball field but once again I sold her short. Not saying I didn’t think she could do the job but it would take time for her to get settled in, right? I mean, she’s a High School student with no prior experience of being on the air live. Some level of nervousness had to be expected, at least through the first couple of games, or so I thought. Before her halftime interview with HC Brian Flynn ended Mike Griffith and I had exchanged glaring smiles of surprise and approval. Faith went on to excel on the sidelines and in the booth. Anyone who listened to our broadcast last Fall would agree, not only was she one of the best players in the State but also one of the best on-air talents as well. Two of my favorite moments in radio over the last five years both came this year. The first was when Faith interviewed Ms. Bailey during football and later when she conducted the postgame interview with Sydney Snyder on the softball field on the heels of those two helping North to a CCC Championship.
Thank You Chad and Lisa for allowing your daughter to hang out with us on Friday nights and being as supportive as you’ve been with the game she loves. It’s been an honor getting to know Faith and watching her play. To put in softball terms, you two are batting 1.000 when it comes to raising caring, gracious kids any of us would want our sons and daughters to look up to.
Some of you may have expected this story to include a lot of numbers and facts, if that’s the case, I apologize for disappointing you. All of those can be found on other sites and are not a mystery to anyone who has followed North softball over the last few seasons. What won’t be found among all those numbers is the impact Faith had on and off the field in the North Davidson community and I’m not talking about hits, stolen bases and numerous defensive gems.
As our good friend Brad Greene has said, “Faith epitomizes what it means to be a Black Knight.” Some still argue the term, “Lady Knight,” is historically inaccurate. But while it may be true there was no female Knights in medieval times, women were appointed to an order of chivalry, honor and nobility. For those characteristics they were given the title of Lady. I don’t think the future Pirate would like the title, “Lady Faith”, but we can agree she exemplifies what it means to be a Lady Knight.
We are going to miss #2, I told her I would call down to ECU and see if they could make her available on Friday nights, even if that was close to being reality I don’t think I would. Its time for others to experience what she has given all of us over the last four years. Good luck Faith and thank you for all your hard work, dedication and sacrifice. I know you will carry that Purple and Gold as high and as proud as you have the Orange and Black.
What I didn’t realize at the time was Faith Jarvis would go on to be one of the best Lady Knights in school history. Not only for her play but also for the level of importance to the program and community at North. The former righty turned lefty certainly deserves the praise, whether she wants it or not. That seems to be a good place to start seeing how #2, although versatile in every other situation, only had one response when someone complimented her. It was the same response we would want all our kids to have and be proud of, a smile and soft laugh of humility accompanied by a gracious, “Thank you.” I argued once her walk-up music should have not been from Jay-Z but instead from Tim McGraw. No, “Humble and Kind,” (which ironically was released her first year in an Orange and Black uniform) would have been a bit anti-climatic and fallen short of getting the leadoff hitter for North fired up as she stepped into the box, but it would have certainly fit her well. We all watched as Faith “climbed those mountains,” which included losing Coach ahead of her Senior year and having her role as the backbone of the team grow each season, and every opportunity she got she made sure to take care of those around her. If you ask anyone who has played on a team with Faith or coached her they’ll tell you what the people in Greenville are about to find out, she is an example of what it means to be selfless and relentless.
If its true that people may not always remember what you did but how you made them feel, then Faith’s demeanor and the impression she has left on others at North is something to celebrate. As many of you know Faith was a member of our broadcast crew during football on the Knights Sports Network this past season. Going into the season opener at Tabor she had obviously erased any doubts in mind about her ability on the softball field but once again I sold her short. Not saying I didn’t think she could do the job but it would take time for her to get settled in, right? I mean, she’s a High School student with no prior experience of being on the air live. Some level of nervousness had to be expected, at least through the first couple of games, or so I thought. Before her halftime interview with HC Brian Flynn ended Mike Griffith and I had exchanged glaring smiles of surprise and approval. Faith went on to excel on the sidelines and in the booth. Anyone who listened to our broadcast last Fall would agree, not only was she one of the best players in the State but also one of the best on-air talents as well. Two of my favorite moments in radio over the last five years both came this year. The first was when Faith interviewed Ms. Bailey during football and later when she conducted the postgame interview with Sydney Snyder on the softball field on the heels of those two helping North to a CCC Championship.
Thank You Chad and Lisa for allowing your daughter to hang out with us on Friday nights and being as supportive as you’ve been with the game she loves. It’s been an honor getting to know Faith and watching her play. To put in softball terms, you two are batting 1.000 when it comes to raising caring, gracious kids any of us would want our sons and daughters to look up to.
Some of you may have expected this story to include a lot of numbers and facts, if that’s the case, I apologize for disappointing you. All of those can be found on other sites and are not a mystery to anyone who has followed North softball over the last few seasons. What won’t be found among all those numbers is the impact Faith had on and off the field in the North Davidson community and I’m not talking about hits, stolen bases and numerous defensive gems.
As our good friend Brad Greene has said, “Faith epitomizes what it means to be a Black Knight.” Some still argue the term, “Lady Knight,” is historically inaccurate. But while it may be true there was no female Knights in medieval times, women were appointed to an order of chivalry, honor and nobility. For those characteristics they were given the title of Lady. I don’t think the future Pirate would like the title, “Lady Faith”, but we can agree she exemplifies what it means to be a Lady Knight.
We are going to miss #2, I told her I would call down to ECU and see if they could make her available on Friday nights, even if that was close to being reality I don’t think I would. Its time for others to experience what she has given all of us over the last four years. Good luck Faith and thank you for all your hard work, dedication and sacrifice. I know you will carry that Purple and Gold as high and as proud as you have the Orange and Black.