‘Lion for Life’ ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Demorest, GA – Maria Carter knew her time at Piedmont College was a special four-year period. But not even Carter could have imagined where her time as a student on the Demorest campus would take her as the former Lady Lion golfer now hangs out at the Golf Channel five days a week, a career that Carter credits to her work in the classrooms at Piedmont.
Born in Keala Kekua, Hawaii, Carter moved with her family more than a dozen times before enrolling at Piedmont in 2009 after graduating from Peachtree Ridge High School. Carter found Piedmont when looking for a spot to play her college golf with PC standing out to her due to those involved with the program at the time and the atmosphere of the college.
“When I visited the campus, I just fell in love with the coaches, players and students at Piedmont, really the whole atmosphere was incredible,” said Carter.
After arriving on campus as a student, Carter would enjoy a decorated four-year career as a member of the Lady Lion golf team helping Piedmont to the 2011 Great South Athletic Conference Tournament Championship title. Carter shared individual medalist honors in that 2011 season as one of the top finishers at the event, one of eight top-5 finishes for Carter in her time with the Green and Gold.
“During her time at Piedmont, Maria was an outstanding student athlete,” said current Piedmont golf coach Michael McMunn when asked of Carter’s impact while in Demorest. “She was our best leader and was very supportive to her teammates. Now that she has moved on to her job at the Golf Channel, she has definitely deserved the recognition she has received and I know she’s doing a fantastic job there. Her ability to connect and communicate with people really has helped her with her career. We are proud of her and her accomplishments up to this point and expect her to continue to improve in her field.”
With her team’s title in 2011 helping PC to one of its most successful athletic years ever, Piedmont finished 2010-11 as the President’s Cup Champion on both the men’s and women’s sides, an award representative of the most successful all-around athletic program in the league.
Carter followed up that championship showing in ’11 with another All-Tournament selection at the GSAC Championships in 2012 finishing in the top-5 once more, but the golfer also was getting it done in the classroom as well. Before leaving campus, Carter was an Academic All-Conference selection in Piedmont’s affiliation with the Great South Athletic Conference before earning the honor again when PC joined the USA South Athletic Conference in 2012-13.
Daughter to a pair of missionaries, Carter’s time at Piedmont was also one of service as well as she served as an Athletic Ambassador working with teams visiting Piedmont’s athletic facilities for home contests. In her work as an Athletic Ambassador, Carter made a strong impression on Piedmont’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics John Dizk who headed up the unique group.
“Maria Carter was an outstanding student athlete at Piedmont College,” said Dzik when asked of the former Piedmont student-athlete. “She was a top flight women’s golfer and served as an athletic department ambassador for visiting teams. Her intelligence, social grace and charm made a positive impact on all who came in contact with her. We are all proud of her accomplishments.”
Carter now makes her home at the Golf Channel as the host of College Central for the NBC Universal-owned network. Carter also works on site for tournaments aired on the network and handles administrative dutes including production scheduling and technical duties, skills she honed as a Mass Communications major here at Piedmont.
One of her former professors here at PC is not surprised at the multitasking of Carter in her profession as Dr. Dale Van Cantfort recalled the balance that his former student had to manage here at Piedmont, saying “Maria is a great example of what a student-athlete can be at Piedmont College. She played both golf and tennis at P.C. while also writing for the school newspaper, hosting a weekly radio show, serving on the Mass Comm. Student Leadership Council, and earning high enough grades in her classes to be inducted into the Mass Comm. Honor Society.”
Footage that Carter attains is used for features, teases, and bumps on the Golf Channel, but it was the interpersonal skills that Carter displayed which Dr. Van Cantfort thought separated her resume from others as he continued, “Maria learned quickly how to network and build relationships. Her internship experience, for which she earned academic credit, put her in the position to gain employment with the Golf Channel upon her graduation from Piedmont. We can’t guarantee the same results, but with good time management skills, we believe future students can have the same type of experience.”
To learn more about Maria Carter at the Golf Channel, fans can follow Carter on Twitter @mariacarter09 or tune in to her web-based segment, College Central, online at www.golfchannel.com.
Alumni Spotlight features former Piedmont student-athletes who are now pursuing their careers and dreams after spending their time on the playing fields for one of Piedmont’s 15 intercollegiate programs. More features are planned to be released at PiedmontLions.com throughout the coming months. If you know of a Piedmont alumni or former student-athlete that should featured as an Alumni Spotlight, please contact the Office of Athletic Communications at Piedmont College.
