Dr. Scott McNeal (Dr. M.) talks with Mr. Austin “LA” Haynes. Former D-II runner, avid outdoorsman, and man of Christian faith.

Austin resides in “The Gateway City,” also known as Laredo, TX, or the “meadow" or "sandy place” and works as a Project Specialist at Schneider Electric.

Austin takes his strong and focused work ethic on a multi-year faith and sport journey: 

• Going to nationals as (surprise) an in-line skater;
• Running competitively at D-II Southwest Baptist University;
• Experiencing deep relational loss;
• Stepping back from faith and apathetically coasting along;
• And finally, pivoting back to his faith after hard reflection on at least one particular question. 

Join Austin as he reflects on:

• his early sport years,
• his D-II collegiate success and challenges 
• his relational loss and its life impact and finally 
• on his spiritual slide and rebound back to God who helps him frame it all and leads him into the next lap of life.

Meet Austin – Take-me-out-to-the-ballgame – the Davy Crockett of South Texas – Haynes.

Quips and Quotes: 

• “What time did I have left?”
• “I did a 720.”
• “Am I wanted?”
• “Got a different view on singleness.”
• “[Lord] I need you more now than ever.”
• Spiritual decline warning signs: (1) unconfessed sin, (2) isolation, (3) intentional coasting.

Press on...

• Website: WPDSports.org
• Email: wpdsports@wpdsports.org
• Instagram: @wpd_sports_press_on