Buccaneer Spotlight - Jacques Bazile

The mental toughness of a football player is often times as important as the physical toughness. Charleston Southern has an athlete in Jacques Bazile, who excels in both areas, and has used both parts to encourage and lead others. 

Physically, the senior from Naples, Fla., is one of the fastest players on the team, proven by his part in the Big South Championship 4x100m relay team that qualified for the NCAA East Region in 2009. Although he’s listed at just 5-9, 165, he’s all muscle and has proven that he packs a punch as he’s tallied 100 career tackles. He has a pair of interceptions, including one against Presbyterian College last season, a game in which the Bucs tied the school record with four interceptions in one half.

“I know this is my last season and that I have to go all-out in everything, whether it is in the weight room, at practice, a scrimmage or a game,” said Bazile. “I’m going to do everything to the best of my ability.”

Mentally, Bazile has been able to shine in multiple areas of his life, despite being pulled in various directions. With a 3.3 career GPA, the criminal justice major has been named a CSU scholar-athlete three semesters and is a two-time member of the Dean’s List.

One of the biggest consumptions of Bazile’s time is family. In January, as Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake, his thoughts turned to relatives in Port-au-Prince, including his grandmother, who he had trouble reaching. Bazile and his family did eventually learn that she was safe, despite losing her home.

On a more positive note, Bazile is also spending his time helping his fiancée, Vanessa Gable, plan the couples wedding, scheduled for March 12, 2011. As much work as goes into a wedding, it is the distance between them that Bazile says is the hardest part.

“I take heart in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 that says ‘Love is patient … and always perseveres,’” said Bazile. “It definitely tests your patience not being able to see each other, but I know that if you really love them you will never give up. You can see it in God’s love for us, because no matter what he never gives up on us.”

That perseverance is something that has driven a lot of Bazile’s life, and continues to drive him on the football field.

“I love being a senior, but just being a senior does not make me a leader,” said Bazile. “The things I have done here have made people follow me and I want to be a role model for the younger guys. I am following God so I know I will lead them in the right direction. Basically I want them to know that football is not forever, and they need to do everything to the best of their ability like it is the last time they will get to play.”

With leaders like Bazile, there is no doubt that the team can accomplish their goals for this year:

“Championship,” said Bazile with a smile. “There is no doubt we want to win, but like our shirts say this year, no matter what we do, whether it is a Big South Championship or we fall short, we want to give all of the glory to God.”