Warrior Wire: Jessica Cadman

Shares her RCU

story in her own words

Coming to Rochester Christian University was never in my original plans, but God had me here for a reason, and it was where I was supposed to be.

I am originally from Rochester Hills, so RCU was an option for me because it was close to home. However, it wasn’t my first choice. I committed to play lacrosse somewhere else. The day I was walking across the stage for high school graduation, I got the news that their program was cut. All of the dreams I had been working for were gone overnight. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I didn’t know if I even wanted to play anymore.

Then, I received a direct message from Coach Kayla Parks, who was RCU’s Women’s Lacrosse coach at the time. She told me I had a scholarship opportunity. I also found out RCU had the degree I had always wanted: digital marketing. Having it close to home was a factor, but more than that, I felt like I had to do it. I took a leap of faith and committed. I started at RCU in the fall of 2022.

Lacrosse has impacted my college years more than I thought it would. The hardest part about our team was that we never had enough players. We were always shorthanded going against teams with 23+ players. It was mentally draining coming from such a competitive travel program into high school. Everyone was better than us because we didn’t have enough players. 

But in my junior year, we won the first game our program had ever won. Some may think that’s small, but winning that game for our team meant the world. I was honored to be named team captain my sophomore year and have been leading girls on the team ever since.

This would’ve been my fourth year playing, but our season got cut. Even if it didn’t, I still would not be playing this year because in November, I was in a car accident that shattered my wrist. It has been a very difficult and tedious process, but it really gave me perspective. I learned that 

when one door closes, another one opens. 

Since I couldn’t play, I found a love for coaching. I am now the junior varsity head coach at Clarkston High School. Coaching and mentoring girls has become one of my favorite things about my college experience.

RCU also allowed me to play a sport I had never played before. I didn’t play golf until my sophomore year of college. Our team was short some players one day, so I filled in. In my first collegiate tournament, we played

36 holes the first day and 18 the next. If you don’t know golf, that’s a lot. It was so physically and mentally draining, but I jumped right in because I had never done it before. Now that I am a senior, I am officially on the team. Golf has taught me patience, among many other things.

I have had so many amazing professors here at RCU who have helped mold me into who I want to be. Luke Beach, Dr. Rebekah Pinchback and Kendra Corman have helped shape me not only professionally but also personally. My lacrosse coach, Coach Reba Sewell, has taught me how to be a leader on and off the field.

RCU has become my family. I have never been involved in a community that cares so much about its students. From my time on the athletic fields to the classroom and to Warrior Serve, I have grown as a student and an individual. People here know your name and your story. They actually care about you and your success.

One thing college has taught me is that you never have to have it all together. We are growing and learning every single day. Trying to have your whole life together when you’re between 18 and 22 is impossible and unrealistic. You only bring stress to yourself and others by doing that.

To my fellow RCU student-athletes: Playing your sport in college is such a blessing. But never let it define who you are as a person. You are more than your sport or what you can do on the field.

You are a leader, a student and you were put on this earth to do way more than compete.

In the future, I hope to continue coaching and staying involved in athletics. As for my career, I want to find something in marketing or sales where I can use my leadership skills and love of athletics, and tie it to digital media.

RCU was never my plan, but God has me right where I needed to be.

Jessica Cadman’s Awards and Honors

2022 President's List

2023 President's List

2023 Dean's List

2024 Lacrosse MVP

2024 Dean's List

2024 Lacrosse Captain

2024 All-American Academic Award