There’s an old college saying that students can pick two or three things: school, sleep and a social life. But for junior soccer captain Charlie Dankert, that just doesn’t seem to be enough.
In addition to being a starting defender and full-time student, he’s the secretary of the Student Government Association. And the vice president for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. And an officer or member of four other organizations on campus.
To Dankert, these responsibilities are something that he enjoys. He believes that if his heart is in it, he won’t let people down. Most people would look at all of this responsibility as a curse, but Dankert looks at it as a blessing.
“When it comes to committing myself to an organization, I do it because either I have a passion for it and I’m going to enjoy it or get a lot out of it, or I think it is something that I want to happen here on campus,” Dankert said.
To Dankert, these responsibilities are something that he enjoys. He believes that if his heart is in it, he won’t let people down. Most people would look at all of this responsibility as a curse, but Dankert looks at it as a blessing.
“Belmont is an interesting university in that there is a lot of change and a lot of growth, and unlike other undergraduate universities there is a lot of room for student involvement here,” he said. I’ve been blessed to have taken advantage of that and put in situations where I can fill roles.”
Dankert is very excited about the newly founded Belmont chapter of FCA and hopes that every student can come out and worship with them.
“It is so awesome to see God move through people, and this organization is definitely being used by God,” Dankert said.
While his pursuing a major in political science and a minor in business is his highest priority, soccer is a close second.
During the season, things get extremely busy, so he sets goals like responding to every email within 24 hours to prevent forgetting something that he has committed to.
“Commitment is a two-way road,” he said.
And if he expects someone to be committed to an organization he is leading, he realizes the importance of being committed to it himself.
“He is self motivated, and extremely mature for his age, but also very easy to get along with. He has excellent balance for all that he takes part in,” men’s soccer head coach Earle Davidson said.
Davidson recognizes Dankert’s skills off the field, but he is also very quick to complement his skills on the field.
“Dankert is a great decision maker, which is crucial in the game of soccer. He speaks up at the right time, he is an excellent leader being who he is, and it is very important to him for the team to be successful,” Davidson said.
Outside of his education, Dankert believes college is “all about relationships.” He believes the greatest thing about being a part of organizations at Belmont is that a very diverse community of people can come together for the same cause.
“Dankert gets it. He gets that what we do as individuals matters, and he expects himself to have an impact,” Davidson said.
–Ryan Combs