Slept On Podcast Preview: “The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far” – An Exclusive Interview with Rebecca Walter and the Powerhouse Parents Behind Her Game

We’re kicking off our brand-new podcast segment “The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far” with a conversation on purpose, intentionality, and family.

You may remember our recent article on Rebecca Walter. Walter is a senior at Blue Mountain Christian University, history major/music minor, and standout basketball player from Bradford, Tennessee. At 6’1”, with a sharp free throw percentage and total-court prowess, she helped boost BMCU’s basketball team into the national spotlight.

Also joining us are her dedicated parents, Cathy and Mike Walter. As Rebecca digs into her senior year, the pair have one goal: “We’re going to every game.”

Mike and Cathy have made it to every home game of Rebecca’s college career and hit the road for nearly every away game. These road trips often had the couple returning home in the early hours of Sunday morning, only to hop back in the car and make it to church a few hours later.

Rebecca carries the same dedication to Christianity. When discussing how she balances school, family, athletics, and having a life, Rebecca reflects: “my relationship with Jesus Christ is really important, so I try to make sure that that stays my number one priority. Everything flows from that.” Also close to her heart is Colossians 3:23, a verse that has stayed with her since her high school career: “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord.”

In this Inferno exclusive, Rebecca reveals that transitioning from high school to college basketball wasn’t always a given. Though clearly a talented player, there was some hesitation about making that leap. Looking back, Rebecca expresses the importance of trusting herself, as well as her faith. She advises that “if you believe that this is something you are capable of, and this is what you’re supposed to do, don’t be reserved. Really go for it. Set big goals for yourself.”

Last year was a particularly remarkable season for BMCU basketball, and Rebcca, Cathy, and Mike all reminisced about the highs and lows of NCAA play. Going into postseason play, Rebecca and her team went from underdogs to champions. They entered the conference tournament ranked eighth, had to win a play-in game just to compete, and then knocked off the regular season champs in round one. The team walked away with the school’s first conference championship, with Cathy and Mike cheering from the sidealines. 

“It was such a fun season,” Rebecca remembers. “So much adrenaline. We played through sickness and injury. It was so much fun.”

College athletics has shaped Rebecca’s perspective far beyond basketball. She’s learned to adapt to different coaching styles, build relationships with teammates from all over the country, and recognize that there’s more than one path to success. “There’s not one right way to do it. There’s a lot of different ways to be successful,” she says.

Mike says one of the biggest growth points for Rebecca has been learning how to communicate and connect with people from different backgrounds — something that will stick with her long after graduation.

Cathy agrees: “When you come from a small town, you know everybody… You don’t [have] that when you’re playing with people from everywhere.”

Cathy, Mike, and Rebecca are juggling her senior season with her senior year, but the tight-knit family doesn’t seem phased. “Do your best at everything you do, and be intentional,” Cathy says, reflecting on their family beliefs. 

“Do it to bring honor and glory to the Lord,” was Mike and Cathy’s advice to their daughter. “When you put that ball up in that basket it matters. We are doing the best with the God-given talents that he’s given us.”

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Flat tires after triple-overtime games. Playing through wildfire smoke. Long road trips, quick weekends at home, and family that shows up, no matter what. Catch all this and more on this week’s Slept On podcast featuring the Walter family!

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

Author administrator Corinne Ellington