TFC Athlete Spotlight: Angel “AJ” Dixon

Angel “AJ” Dixon is no stranger to the old adage “hard work is the key to success.” The 22-year-old guard for Toccoa Falls College’s Varsity Women’s Basketball team transferred to TFC in January 2019 from Augusta University after realizing that she wanted to play basketball and study in an environment focused more on Biblical ethics and character.

“It feels like an HBCU, but I’m not a party girl. I’m an introvert,” Dixon said about her previous institution.

She is currently finishing up her sophomore year as a Nursing major. Before transferring to TFC, Dixon earned a degree in Early Childhood Education. She wants to use this degree alongside her future Nursing degree to become a travel or pediatric nurse and work with children.

“Kids have a place in my heart. I want to teach them what I’ve learned and share my wisdom.”

Dixon, one of four daughters, was raised in Louisville, Ga. Growing up, she played softball and soccer but found a passion for basketball while she was in middle school. She decided to pursue a career in basketball, hoping to play overseas, in a G league, or on a semi-professional team one day.

Last year, Dixon tore her Achilles tendon. She was unable to run or walk without enduring a great amount of pain. However, being injured taught her so much about life.

"In life, we’re going to encounter pain and just have to push through it.” Although the injury was a major setback for her career, Dixon’s pastor reminded her that “your major setback is your greatest comeback.”

Dixon’s greatest highlight from this season was when Rick Flateau, TFC’s Head Athletic Trainer, gave her the “okay” to return to the court. She had been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes, including physical therapy, late workouts, and time in the gym.

"I was very excited because it’d been a long time, and I missed it. I could finally show the world and the campus that you can come back from anything.”

The game itself has taught Dixon much about patience. Growing up, she was quick-tempered. She was always prepared to defend herself or those who could not defend themselves. Just last year, she was pushed down on defense. When she tried to push back, her coach took her out of the game to teach her that it is about so much more than just basketball. “Basketball is a fast-paced game, but you have to make up in your mind that you want to slow it down.”

Others who motivate her on and off the court include her sister, Arianna, and another teammate. Dixon said that she and her teammate do devotionals, read the Bible, and go to church together. She credits her teammate for helping her to stay grounded spiritually and become who she is today.

“God really knows how to send people into your life to encourage you. Even though she knows more spiritually, we can encourage each other equally.”

Dixon’s sister also motivates her a lot. Arianna Dixon, known as “Juicy,” plays basketball for TFC alongside her sister. She encourages AJ by keeping up the competition and reminding her that she “can’t focus on the previous play, because that’s what [she’ll] play like the rest of the game.”

To pay for college and help her parents, Dixon works hard to balance an off-campus job, basketball, and academics. She said that her relationship with God has been one of her biggest motivations because she wouldn’t be in college or be able to do all that she is doing now without Him. Although this season was challenging, Dixon said, “I’ve grown calmer and patient, and the things that we’ve encountered this year have made me want to react in an instant, but God has released me from that. Without him, who am I?... He’s given me all of these opportunities. He deserves the glory.”

Dixon was also excited to have new leadership with Coach Micah Ryals stepping up as TFC’s new Head Women’s Basketball Coach.

“He has a mind that no one else knows about. He’s quiet but has a lot of knowledge. Hearing what he had to say really helped lead me and the team to the wins we had this season.”

She cites losing the game against Johnson University that ended the season as the low point of the year. Dixon learned that “not everybody cares the same way that you do. Basketball is not everyone’s dream… As a team, we are so talented. If we’d had the same mindset and gave the same energy, we could’ve made it anywhere.”

When asked what she wanted to share with the TFC community, Dixon emphasized how difficult it is to be a student-athlete.

“You have to make time and put the work in. Basketball is not a sport for everyone. If you don’t like contact, correction, or hard work, it’s not for you. If you can’t find the time to balance being a student and an athlete, it’s not for you. Although it’s challenging, you learn a lot about basketball and life. You’re building a family that will ride or die with you to the end.”

Keep an eye out for Dixon and TFC’s Women’s Basketball team as they prepare for next season at https://tfcathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball.