Showing Up for God and Neighbor: Elizabeth Clawson ’27

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Elizabeth Clawson ’27

Elizabeth Clawson ’27 was thrilled to join Wheaton’s women’s soccer team. She didn’t expect to spend her first year on the team on crutches. After injuring her ankle toward the end of her senior year of high school, Clawson wasn’t sure how her coaches and team could possibly involve her. They soon showed her how. 

At practices, Clawson helped keep score and provided feedback on plays and drills from afar. She also huddled to pray with the rest of the team. “A lot of the girls, especially juniors and seniors, were super intentional about getting to know me throughout practice,” said Clawson. 

The love and commitment they extended to Clawson were evidence of the team culture that drew Clawson to join the soccer team in the first place. Back when she visited Wheaton in high school, Clawson was struck by the players’ great love for soccer and even greater love for the Lord. She longed to have the kind of community and fellowship that could only be found on a Christian team. Once she was part of the team, they exceeded her expectations and proved to her that she was a valued member.

Clawson now strives to continue this supportive culture for the current first-years and sophomores. “One thing I am intentional about doing is being aware of what we’re capable of and then calling my teammates up,” said Clawson, who is a team practice environment leader this year. “I also ask them to call me up when our play isn’t at the level that we know it can be. This year especially, I’ve tried to model consistency at practice so that I can be a reliable teammate.”

For Clawson, being a reliable teammate equates to working hard so other players can succeed, prompting her to get up early for practice and maintain a positive attitude even when circumstances unfold differently than she hoped. “I’ve learned to be okay with having roles I did not initially desire to have, but are helpful nonetheless,” she said, reflecting on having less playing time than she did in high school. 

The self-discipline Clawson exercises as a student athlete is not limited to fitness. She’s also refining her time management skills. “In addition to showing up for my team, I need to show up for all of my responsibilities,” said Clawson. “Sometimes life gets busy, but even when things are a bit hectic, my professors and coaches are really supportive, so there are always adults who are willing to step in and help in any way they can. Because of them, it’s possible to have a healthy balance between athletics and academics at Wheaton.”

Clawson also spends time investing in younger generations. Every other week, she and a few other college students—most of whom are from Wheaton—co-lead a gathering for youth through WyldLife, YoungLife’s middle school ministry, where they play games and share a message about Jesus. Clawson also leads a Bible study with a smaller group of these girls.

Although she loves this work, her responsibilities in this role have pushed her outside of her comfort zone. “I grew up going to Christian schools and didn’t have many opportunities to share the gospel with anyone,” Clawson said. “Trying to explain my faith to 11- and 12-year-olds who aren’t as familiar with the Christian faith has been a challenge. But that’s one of the main ways I’ve grown. As I share what I believe with them, I’m learning to be patient and seek to understand where the girls are coming from.”

Over the last year, Clawson has repeatedly seen the Lord’s faithfulness as a WyldLife leader, watching her Bible study grow from three girls to 25 and witnessing two of her students commit their lives to Jesus at WyldLife summer camp. “When I was in middle school, I had adults who encouraged me and spoke truth into my life,” Clawson said. “It has been so meaningful to be in a role where I can do that for others and try to further God’s kingdom.”

At the foundation of her mindset lies the recognition that life is about serving others. “Something we talk a lot about as a soccer team is how we can put others first by showing up and putting in the effort,” said Clawson. “That has translated into my classes and relationships. We talk about how when you commit to something, you should be fully committed. Even when it’s hard, and you don’t feel like waking up for your 6:00 a.m. lift, you have to get out of bed and show up. You have to give 100% of whatever you have. If you have 10%, give 100% of that 10%.”