Alyssa Brito - Not My Own

One of the most valuable pieces in their historic 2022 season, Oklahoma utility player Alyssa Brito was paramount in the Sooners success. After beginning her career at Oregon, where she finished her first season on the 2021 Pac-12 All-Freshman team, Alyssa transferred to Oklahoma. She dominated for the Sooners, hitting .368 with 14 homers. As she helped guide the Sooners to their championship run, she says her faith lead her along the way.

Originally from California, Alyssa was one of the highest ranked recruits coming out of high school. A star on the diamond, Alyssa’s career did not take a linear path to Oklahoma. But as she has arrived in college and grown into her role with the Sooners, she says she has also seen her faith grow more than ever before.

“I didn’t know how much my relationship could grow until getting to college, playing at a high level and finally realizing that I need Jesus. Before being at OU, I struggled a lot with meeting my own expectations and accepting failure. I really grew in my faith because softball at the highest level challenged me to seek my identity in God rather than my sport.”

Alyssa says that new mindset allowed her to approach each day with immeasurable joy for the chance to play the game that she loves.

“It set me free, and at this point my faith grew so much. I’ve put my trust in Jesus and that has changed my relationship with God from what it was before.”

Throughout her time with the Sooners, Alyssa says she has learned that her identity lies beyond just the sport of softball.

“Jesus has shown me through this past year specifically in my journey that there is a greater purpose beyond softball. I play with so much more joy knowing that God’s love is greater than any stats, result or failure. I’ve been able to play more free knowing that God already has it all written from the start.”

Alyssa says that with the expectations associated with college sports, her faith has given her freedom to play without needing a performance on the field to define who she is.

“I’m free knowing that in softball any expectations of the world doesn’t matter, that I am called to use my platform to show God’s Light through me.”

Throughout the past season, the Oklahoma softball team has been put on display as they have proven themselves as one of the greatest teams in sports. As Alyssa has seen her platform grow along with the team, she says she hopes to use all that for good.

“I hope to use my platform to show how much joy God has brought into my life with His blessings, not only in softball. I hope to show how much freedom God’s love gives me when I play.”

Alyssa says that when all is said and done, she wants people to point to God for her accomplishments, not herself.

“I want to use my platform to spread the Gospel & to be unashamed in following a life with God at the center. I hope to show that my talents are from Jesus and for Jesus!”

As Oklahoma continues to grow with an impressive recruiting class and transfers, Alyssa says she can’t wait to continue playing for the Sooners. United with her teammates by their faith, Alyssa says she hopes to continue to use their platform as a team to always point to Jesus, regardless of the circumstances.