Jonathan Settle, a 2002 graduate of Ben Lippen School, is being celebrated for his remarkable athletic achievements with his induction into the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame. A standout in three sports—Varsity football, basketball, and baseball—Jonathan exemplified the WIN philosophy of the Ben Lippen athletic department: winning on the scoreboard, in life, and for eternity.

 

Jonathan's high school career was nothing short of extraordinary. He played Varsity football and basketball from 10th to 12th grade and Varsity baseball throughout all four years. His senior year, Jonathan was recognized with All-State honors in both basketball and baseball. In basketball, he was named Region Player of the Year and Co-MVP, and in baseball, he earned the title of MVP. His talent and dedication were evident even earlier when, in 2001, he was named Ben Lippen Male Athlete of the Year. The following year, he received the Patterson Award, the highest accolade given to a male athlete at Ben Lippen.

Reflecting on his high school years, Jonathan recalls, "My world revolved around sports. There wasn’t a single day in high school that I wasn’t playing a sport for Ben Lippen." While he is proud of his athletic accomplishments, he acknowledges the importance of a balanced life, stating, "Life is more important than a sport." Off the field, Jonathan was involved in the school choir, Drama Team, and performed in both an improv show and a play during his junior and senior years.

 

Jonathan cherishes many fond memories from his time at Ben Lippen, particularly in athletics. One of the highlights was his senior year in basketball, when his team won both the region regular season and the region tournament against Heathwood Hall, clinching the victory in their opponent's gym. "That team was very close-knit and special to be a part of!" Jonathan recalls.

 

His junior year in football was another unforgettable experience. "Playing with an incredible team was a huge highlight!" he says. The team was stacked with talent, and Jonathan enjoyed watching Sam Gado dominate the field. He also fondly remembers the summer kicking drills, weightlifting sessions, and the sweltering summer camps at Lake Marion—“maybe the hottest place on earth!”

 

Baseball was a significant part of Jonathan's high school experience as well. He played all four years, contributing to many victories alongside teammates who were always fun to play with. Spring break tournaments at Myrtle Beach were a particular highlight. When he thinks about his Ben Lippen sports days, Jonathan reflects on "the hours to away games, the hours of practice, the driving home after winning those football games." The memories are too numerous to capture fully, but Jonathan sums it up by saying, "I loved my time playing sports at Ben Lippen!"

 

Ben Lippen provided Jonathan with a strong foundation in faith that has guided him beyond high school. He appreciates the Bible classes, Scripture memorization, and the Christian worldview integrated into all aspects of his education.

 

After graduating, Jonathan went on to play Division I baseball at Winthrop University as a pitcher. His college career saw him transition from a long reliever to a closer, with his junior year earning him a spot as one of the top 25 relievers in the nation. That same year, Winthrop was ranked among the top 20 baseball teams in the country. Jonathan describes the transition from a small private high school to a top 25 public university as "mentally overwhelming at first." However, the skills he developed at Ben Lippen helped him adjust quickly, and he soon found his place in college athletics. "Playing all three sports helped me balance my college career with one sport," he notes.

 

Jonathan’s faith played a significant role during his college years, influencing his decisions and helping him navigate the challenges of being a student-athlete. He recalls making a conscious decision from "Day one on the baseball team that I’m going to be a Christian" and ensuring his actions reflected his faith. He vividly remembers his first game against Notre Dame, describing it as "huge and exciting," a far cry from his high school games against smaller programs.

 

Jonathan’s hard work and dedication paid off, with his name still appearing in Winthrop baseball’s all-time stats. He holds two of the top 10 spots for the most saves between 2004-2007, ranks second in appearances (100) from those seasons, and holds top spots for the most games finished in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

 

While Jonathan cherishes the wins and successes of his athletic career, he values the life lessons learned along the way even more. "It’s a training ground for life," he says. "Wins are great, but sometimes even if you put in the work, you may not always get the results you want. Life doesn’t just hand you the results you want. You have to hold everything open-handed and release the results to the Lord. You have to be willing to put in the work, even when no one is watching, and build the foundation. Sports teach resilience."

 

Jonathan also reflects on the impact of his coaches, each of whom played a significant role in shaping him as both an athlete and a person. Bobby Young, who coached him in baseball during his freshman and senior years, stands out as a coach who was "a ton of fun to play for" and always had Jonathan’s back. Marty Simpson, his football coach for three years, brought creativity to the game and taught Jonathan all his football skills while keeping the atmosphere lighthearted. Perhaps most special of all was his father, who stepped in to coach Jonathan's basketball team during his senior year after the previous coach quit just two weeks before the season. "I’m glad we got to share in that very special senior year!" Jonathan says. Over the course of 12 varsity seasons, Jonathan had six head coaches, all of whom impacted him in different ways.

 

Jonathan and his wife, Emily, have lived out these lessons of resilience and faith, particularly when they faced the devastating loss of their youngest daughter, Lucy, to cancer in 2020 at just 4½ years old. Their faith was deeply tested, but they allowed the Lord to use their grief to encourage others experiencing similar hardships. They began serving with Lighthouse Family Retreats, where Emily now works, ministering to families affected by cancer. They find solace and purpose in talking about Lucy and supporting other families in their darkest moments, offering hope and encouragement.

 

Jonathan’s advice to young athletes is simple yet profound: "Live in the moment. Fully enjoy the highs and the lows. The relationships and friendships you build through athletics can be lifelong. Don’t get too caught up in the weeds and don’t overthink the details. Enjoy the moment." He fondly remembers the camaraderie of his high school days, particularly the bus rides home after football games, especially after a win.

 

Being recognized for his contributions to Ben Lippen athletics and inducted into the Hall of Fame is "a huge honor," Jonathan says. "I am thankful to be considered. I’m humbled by all the support I had and always felt supported by the coaches."

 

Today, Jonathan and Emily’s three daughters—twins Abby and Hannah, age 12, and Hope, age 11—play lacrosse and volleyball, sports in which Jonathan has become an enthusiastic supporter. He enjoys cheering them on and continuing to serve with Emily at Lighthouse Family Retreats, ministering to other families who have faced challenging times. They feel blessed that Lucy’s story has touched so many lives.

 

Jonathan Settle’s journey, from a star athlete at Ben Lippen to a devoted husband, father, and servant leader, is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and the enduring impact of sports. His story is not just one of athletic excellence but also of a life grounded in faith and dedicated to helping others.