When Trey Weedman (26) was looking for universities to attend, a few items were at the top of his list: a faith-based campus, competitive academics, and athletics.
“I knew I would have more opportunities in San Diego [to play]…and I wanted to grow and be challenged in my faith,” Weedman said.
Through his older sister’s close friend, Weedman discovered PLNU. It jumped to the top of his list shortly after.
“I knew PLNU was going to have the best kinesiology program out of all of the [other options],” Weedman. “There were just so many connections and opportunities.”
Like most high school recruits, Weedman was invited to campus to spend time training with the PLNU men’s soccer team before applying.
“I was actually sitting in my high school physics class at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon when I got the call to come down and train,” Weedman said. “I remember calling my parents and working it out to get a flight. I stayed with a friend in San Diego and I was at training by 6 a.m. that Thursday.”
After his visit, Weedman solidified his decision to apply for PLNU.
“I had trained at a few other [schools], but I felt like this was the highest level I wanted,” Weedman said.
Like all incoming fall sport student-athletes, Weedman arrived on campus two weeks ahead of the rest of his incoming freshman class.
PLNU Men’s Soccer games usually start the first or second week of classes, meaning that student-athletes like Weedman will spend time ahead of the start of classes training and getting fit to play. It also means they have very little time to adjust to college life before they are in the thick of travel and play for the season.
As Weedman was working through the transition to student-athlete during those initial weeks, he took some time to attend a worship night at an upperclassmen’s house.
“There were about 20 people there and once they realized I was a freshman, they all came over and prayed over me and encouraged me, I called my parents right after and told them I’m in the right place. From then on I had so much peace knowing so much more matters [than just soccer].”
“There were about 20 people there and once they realized I was a freshman, they all came over and prayed over me and encouraged me,” Weedman said. “I called my parents right after and told them I’m in the right place. From then on I had so much peace knowing so much more matters [than just soccer].”
Weedman’s perspective on his time at PLNU shifted after that night. While he still considered himself a competitive student-athlete, he was also determined to keep his faith at the center of his time in college. As a result, by his second semester Weedman was already heavily involved in campus ministry.
He started a Bible study on the men’s soccer team and acted as the unofficial team “chaplain,” praying with players after practices and games. He also attended the Spring Break Build.
“I was talking with some friends who were leading a Bible study and I remembered that verse in Timothy where you don’t let age define your faith,” Weedman said. “So I started leading a study as a freshman and getting involved.”
Weedman would go on to lead multiple Bible studies in various dorms, participate in Young Life as a group leader, attend the Spring Break Build every year, and make burgers for members of the homeless population in downtown San Diego.
“I loved being a part of Bible studies,” Weedman said. “I’ve definitely said ‘yes’ to a lot of things, probably when I didn’t have time to say ‘yes’ to them.”
While he continued to get more and more involved in campus faith life, Weedman was also pursuing his studies in kinesiology and applied health science, trying to determine his future career path.
“I knew I wanted to do something in healthcare,” Weedman said. “But it wasn’t until a kinesiology department chapel one night that I decided on firefighting.”
Weedman attended chapel that evening and heard from San Diego Fire Department Battalion Chief Derrick Miller.
“I remember he was talking about how he felt like he was called to be a pastor but he also wanted to be a firefighter, so a mentor advised him to ‘Love God and do what you want’,” Weedman said. “That stood out to me as being such a simple approach…[but] that advice led [Miller] to become a firefighter and then later in his life he was also able to become a pastor and continue his career in firefighting.”
After resonating with Chief Miller’s sentiments during chapel, Weedman started to seriously consider a career in firefighting. Now as a senior in his final semester, he’s able to dedicate time to achieving his career goals while transitioning out of student-athlete life.
“One of my first thoughts after my last game was, ‘Ok it’s time to be a firefighter now,’” Weedman said. “It’s been nice to have something to train for physically that’s different.”
“One of my first thoughts after my last game was, ‘Ok it’s time to be a firefighter now, It’s been nice to have something to train for physically that’s different.”
“I’m focusing on what’s next but it’s definitely been weird having this much free time,” Weedman said. “I used to fight for a couple of minutes of downtime.”
Adjusting to a new rhythm of college life in his final semester has been hard, but Weedman is thankful that his faith and future plans have kept him grounded during the change.
“It was a cool transition being a part of a team and now trying to basically get on another team,” Weedman said. “I remind myself that I might play soccer or fight fires… [and that’s] cool to go do, but regardless of my vocation none of those define me. I remind myself [of that] often.”
In preparation to become a firefighter, Weedman has just landed a job working as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the Chula Vista fire department. He’ll spend time training to learn all of the stations and hospitals before operating the ambulances with a team. He’s also engaged to his long-time girlfriend Ashley and is looking forward to starting married life with her this year.
Weedman was also recently honored at PLNU’s Homecoming as a 2026 Rising Alumni Awardee. This award is presented each year to students who represent PLNU’s core values and continue the university’s mission.
“I’m honored to be a part of this community and to have represented PLNU and to live out the mission well,” Weedman said. “It’s an honor to be a part of this group.”
