Alton Darling, Ed.S
Like many teenagers, Alton Darling grew up with the dream of earning a college scholarship as a student-athlete and ultimately making it to the professional level. As a member of back-to-back state championship teams in basketball at Gainesville High School in the early 2000’s, as well as being a two-time all-state performer in football, it appeared Alton had a bright future ahead of him in sports.
While he was certainly talented enough athletically to stand out among his peers, to the shock of many, he chose to prematurely end his playing career at the collegiate level due to issues of adversity he experienced off the field and court. Now, his mission is to mentor a new generation of like-minded Christian student-athletes to learn from his mistakes and become fully equipped for the rigors of pursuing an athletic scholarship. What’s unique in his approach is that he teaches personal development skills while also presenting the Gospel of Christ in a creative fashion.
“As a former NCAA Division-1 athlete, I made an impulsive and irrational decision to prematurely end my playing career in the early 2000’s. It had become clear to everyone around me, including myself, that my talent had carried me to a place where my emotional intelligence could not keep me. I was a first-generation collegiate student-athlete who had no idea how to prepare, manage, or thrive at the next level. Years later, I realized having mentorship in dealing with conflicts was the key to excellent decision-making and the odds of gaining and keeping an athletic scholarship increase tremendously when a solid support system is in place. Having previously worked as a high school instructor and varsity head coach, as well as currently serving as a college professor and mental health therapist, I know first-hand and through the close observation of others what the tangible and intangible reasons are for why some missions fail and others succeed. As a thought leader and troubleshooter for Christian student-athletes, my goal is to provide practical and spiritual insights that helps them to manage the difficult and unique circumstances they face.”
Ready to take control of your life and career as a Christian student-athlete?
Let’s create a strategic plan that navigates the most common challenges of the Christian student-athlete lifestyle and conquers the path to possessing your very own “Promised Land.” With over 15 years of experience teaching, counseling, and mentoring young adults, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Purchase your copies and take the first step towards a brighter future – let’s embark on this journey together!