SCALING THE HEIGHTS: A PROFILE OF HOPE ADIGUN

"God’s Plan on the Pitch"

“With God’s timing, everything fell into place,” says Hope Adigun, junior midfielder for the Le Moyne women's soccer team. On the pitch, Adigun looks like everyone else; same jersey, same shorts, same socks, same cleats.

However, her story remains unique.

Adigun’s original plan was to pursue an athletic career at Liberty University because of her Christian faith, as well as her sister being a Liberty alum. She explains that she would not have been able to play soccer there, so that door shut. Adigun felt lost and wondered if this was a part of God’s plan, or if He had completely turned His back on her.

"I don't need to be a christian soccer player; just at a christian school,” declares Adigun.

The realization that her faith may follow her whenever she ended up gave her hope. During her senior year of high school, she decided to commit academically to Le Moyne College. However, Adigun’s soccer career remained at a standstill, with no athletic commitment in her line of vision.

The week before Hope’s first day of college is when she decided to attend an ID clinic hosted by the Le Moyne College women’s soccer coaches. This is when it became crystal clear that Adigun was meant to be a Dolphin.

“The bad news is that you are going to have to fill out a lot of paperwork in a short amount of time. But the good news is that we have a spot for you,” says Le Moyne’s head coach, offering Adigun a spot on the team.

The gratitude Adigun has for her opportunity on the team shines through her on and off the field. She credits this joy to God, and often remembers her mother telling her, “you might be the only Jesus somebody sees.” Hope works to be the best example for anyone who might catch a glimpse of her on the field, in the classroom, or even just in passing.

Her strength to be a noble example now, began with her mental health struggles then.

There came a point in Adigun’s soccer career where mistakes felt like life or death. There was an immense amount of pressure that her mind was putting on her to perform. Compared to her peers, she felt behind.

She slowly, but surely, conquered these thoughts and learned how to defeat them as they would come and go.

During the pandemic when sports came to a halt, Adigun struggled to find her sense of purpose. Soccer had always been her outlet, and suddenly it was gone. Returning to the field months later, the pressure she placed on herself was consuming. Every missed pass or mistake felt heavier than it should.

In time, she began to open up to teammates, to coaches, and to herself. Her coach, Brooke Barnes, became a strong source of support, reminding her that asking for help doesn’t make you weak. “She’s not just someone who consoles me,” Adigun says. “She teaches me real-life lessons.”

Coach Barnes’ spirit in the face of mental health struggles sparked a passion for advocacy. As a freshman, Adigun learned about “Morgan’s Message”, an organization that spreads awareness of student-athlete mental health. By her sophomore year, she helped bring the program to the Le Moyne women’s soccer program, organizing awareness games and creating space for athletes to share their stories.

Now, Adigun’s message goes beyond the field. She is passionate about survivor-centered conversations about mental health: stories of those who are still here and still fighting. “There needs to be more outlets for people who want to tell their stories,” she says.

Through faith and perseverance, Adigun has learned to lead, both in play and in purpose. As she looks toward her future, she hopes to combine her passions for ministry, mentorship, and advocacy. “You can still be a leader with whatever God puts you through,” she says with a smile.

For Hope Adigun, soccer is more than a sport. It’s a stage for advocacy, an opportunity to grow in faith, and an outlet to impact lives.