UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS
WORDS TO LIVE BY “God
never quits, so we should never quit.”
Those words on Sydney Key’s left forearm, etched in her great grandfather’s handwriting, is a daily reminder of perseverance for the University of the Ozarks senior softball standout. “The tattoo has been in inspiration to me because, for one, it is just a reminder that my great grandpa is always with me, even though he isn’t here physically,” Key said. “I can just look down and be reminded of him. Another reason is the words. I am not a quitter anyway, but most things in life aren’t easy. When I look down and read those words, it helps remind me that God is with me every step of the way; that he would never quit, so why should I if I am trying to be an example and live my life the way he did.” Key, a health science and psychology double-major from Lamar, Ark., got the tattoo about a year after her great grandfather, Donald Sims, passed away in December of 2017. “I never thought of myself as having a tattoo, but that changed after he passed away,” Key said. “We were very close and when he died, we were going through their house and I found his Bible and immediately fell in love. I was alone in the room and was amazed about how much time and work he had put into it. There were tons of notes and markings. I was excited and took it to my great grandma and she told me that I could have it; he would’ve want me to. The more I looked at his Bible, the more I realized that I wanted to do something to help me remember him. Then it hit me; I should get something in his handwriting. I spent months and months looking for the perfect thing he had written, and I finally found it.” Key’s never-quit attitude has helped her shine on the softball diamond for the past four years for the Eagles. The 5-foot-8 catcher/third baseman has started since her freshman season. With 119 career games played and career stats of 74 hits, 39 RBIs, 16 doubles, and 6 home runs, she will most likely end up in the program’s all-time top 10 in several offensive categories. Ironically, it’s not stats or on-the-field accomplishments that Eagle Softball Coach Denise Godwin mentions first when asked about Key. “Syd is a very hard-working, dedicated softball player who puts her team’s needs before her own,” Godwin said. “She is a great teammate and someone who brings a lightness and positivity to the team. Syd is the go-to person when someone needs
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