Feature Photo by Harding University

The final seconds rolled off the board on December 16, and with it stood a score of 38-7 in favor of Harding University over #1-ranked Colorado School of Mines in the NCAA D-II National Championship in McKinney, TX. The Bisons completed a perfect 15-0 season, and put up 502 rushing yards in one of the best performances in program history. On that field was Commerce alum Levi Pate, who now can add ‘National Champion’ to his resume.

“It was an extremely rewarding experience,” says Pate on winning a championship. “My mind immediately went to all the people who had helped me reach that huge moment. As grateful as I am to achieve a national championship, I am so much more grateful that the important people in my life who made sacrifices to help me achieve my dream get some level of validation too. I was especially grateful to my father who has been with me every step of the way and has sacrificed so much to help me be successful. As the time wound down on the clock, I was flooded with pride but also a lot of bitter-sweet sadness knowing my final football game was complete. As much as I’ll miss the game, I will miss my teammates twice as much and I had to confront the possibility that there is a really good chance I won’t see some of my teammates, my Brothers, ever again.”

Pate, who graduated in 2019 from Commerce and has been at Harding ever since, got five years for the Bisons. He has a year of eligibility remaining but will forego that at this time.

“I have been given the great opportunity to attend Mercer University’s School of Medicine,” adds Pate. “My career goals are to become a doctor and return to the Jackson County area to practice medicine for the community that I grew up in. Football has been a great tool to help me pay for school and I will forever be indebted to the game but it is time for me to move forward and chase my other dreams.”

Pate saw action in 29 games while suiting up for the Bisons, yet waited two full seasons before getting that opportunity. He has a message for those who look to give up if they don’t find immediate satisfaction.

“I would tell those kids that the grass is not always greener and there is so much value in persistence,” adds Pate. “The skill of persistence is fading fast in the current transfer portal/NIL culture of college football. If you are truly putting in the work, your reward will come. Maybe not in the form of playing time or championships but one day as a grown man, husband, father, member of a church – your habit of persistence and toughness will pay out exponentially. At the end of the day to any discouraged athlete out there, I want you to know from me that your sport doesn’t define you. The only thing that defines you is your character and your being made in the image of God.”

Pate, a key member of the offensive line, helped a Bison offense average 46.87 points and 458.8 yards per game in 2023. While the former All-State selection and All-Region member, as well as BLITZ Hall of Famer was 9 hours and some 550 miles from home, he took a part of Commerce with him to Harding.

“Going to Arkansas for football has changed my life,” states Pate. “It gave me a great opportunity to leave the comfort of home and grow as a man. The two traits that I have taken from my time at Commerce is that toughness is a premium. Physical, mental, and emotional toughness will always take you far. No one likes someone who they deem as not tough. Another lesson I’ve learned from my time in Commerce is just to show up every day. You will not always have great days, but if you continue to show up day in and day out, good things will happen. IWPWE ‘I Will Persist Without Exception’”