MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan Athletics Department will highlight a former student-athlete and their reflection on their time at Chowan in a new Chowan BraveHawk Student-Athlete Alumni Spotlight.

For the month of November, we will highlight former softball student-athlete Marianne Weir Lowe '07.

Marianne was a four-year member of the Chowan Softball program from 2003-2006.  During her career, Weir helped produce 97 wins, a NCCAA South Region Championship and a trip to the NCCAA National Championship tournament.  Weir compiled 113 hits in 140 games with 22 doubles and a batting average of .291.  During the 2005 season, Weir would be named NCCAA All-American Honorable Mention and NCCAA All-South Region.  In 2003, Weir and company produced the program's first-ever conference championship with the Dixie Conference Regular Season Championship.

Weir was recently selected to the Chowan Softball All-Division III team as a utility player.

The Chesapeake, Va. native graduated from Chowan with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a minor in History.  She is married to Christian Lowe and has two children, Ella and Charlotte.

Marianne is a 6th grade math teacher at First Flight Middle School and Chapter President of OBX Autism Society of North Carolina.

Why did you choose Chowan?

Close to home (grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia). Chowan was small and that was exactly what I needed coming from a huge high school in Chesapeake. When I met Meredith Davies-Long my senior year in high school I knew that Chowan was right for me. Meredith formed special relationships with all of us softball players. She made a huge impact on my life and continues to!

How did your time at Chowan prepare you for your career?

I think Chowan is all about relationships. It is small and everyone knows each other. I learned through playing softball for four years on how to support others and think more about the "team" and not myself. This has followed me into my teaching role in the classroom.

When I walk into my classroom as a teacher it doesn't matter what kind of day I am having bad or good- my students are going to get 100% of me. This is the same way I was when I was on the softball field- gave it 100% and I didn't worry about anything other than softball in that moment.

I always say this about Chowan to people- "It's not about where you are - but who you're with that really matters".

What is your fondest memory of being a Chowan student-athlete?

Our softball team had something special - you just don't find that bond just anywhere. I just loved the friendships I made on the team- we are all friends for life.

My fondest memory (too many) would be hitting a homerun on Senior Day. I cried running the bases and Coach Long did too. It was like everything just came together.

What would you say is your greatest athletic or academic accomplishment during your time at Chowan?

I had to go an extra semester because I would've missed my senior season if I student taught that Spring. So I graduated in the fall in 07'. I am proud that I graduated Cum Laude while playing 4 years of softball.

What kind of advice would you give to current Hawks competing in athletics?

You are a student first, athlete second. Give it time to get used to the new coaching style from your new college coach. Take care of your body, work hard, and have fun.

If you are a former Chowan Student-Athlete and would like to be featured, please fill out the alumni questionnaire here.