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One mission, one focus, one man carrying out a plan for one purpose: Gary Brasher is that man! On November 20-22, 2009, Gary will do what is seemingly unthinkable by completing back-to-back-to-back Iron-distance triathlons to raise funds for student-athletes to go to FCA Camps. During those three grueling days, he will cover 422.6 miles. So, why would he do this? Why would he put his body through such suffering and pain? Because he is a man on a mission.
The creek behind our backyard in Lexington, Ky., was where my older brother and I spent most of our time growing up. Our family of four did a lot together, and it was usually outdoors—playing sports, camping, boating and much more. My parents also took us to church, and when I was 12 years old I accepted Christ. Looking back, though, I didn’t live a life that professed Christ. What I said or did wasn’t always what my heart told me I should be saying or doing.
A while ago, I spent a long time recovering from a torn calf muscle. As a cross country and track coach, and as a runner myself, I had been very frustrated and annoyed by this injury. Not being able to run was a huge challenge. I couldn’t show my athletes the steps I wanted them to take. I couldn’t even jog a step without pain shooting through my leg. On top of that I found myself in a bad place mentally.
In sports, you hear a lot about two very different kinds of athlete. One is labeled an “underachiever”—an athlete who has a ton of talent but gets by putting out the minimal effort. The other is referred to as an “overachiever”— someone who makes up for a lack of physical giftedness and athletic prowess with an abundance of hard work, determination, and drive.
Every time I hear about a coach who has been fired after a year or two at a school, it breaks my heart. I once told an athletic director that it would take four years to turn a program around to contend for a league championship. That was not what he wanted to hear, so I did not get the job.
In our society we want everything right now. Actually, we wanted it yesterday. A great example is in the fact that we actually drive through places to get our food. At most fast food places they don’t even hold the cup to fill your drink anymore; they put it on a belt, it goes under a fountain, they push a button, and the drink comes out. I suppose it’s faster. I’m not sure it’s better, but it’s faster.
The 2003-04 college football season has ended. So who is the best team in the country? USC and LSU both ended the season with only one loss and ranked No. 1 in the AP and coaches polls, respectively. Should there be a playoff system for Division I college football? Because these two teams will not get a shot to decide the national championship on the field, these debates will go on for a long, long time.
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
One of the most accomplished women’s cross country coaches in the nation, Florida State’s Karen Harvey has built the Seminoles into a national powerhouse in just her sixth year with the program. Surrounded by several Christ-following coaches at FSU, the Ontario, Canada, native has been emboldened to profess her faith in the Lord while pushing her team to make a run at a national title.
When someone starts a program aiming to get healthy or lose weight, there is always energy, excitement and enthusiasm right out of the blocks. They encounter success early, saying things like, “I feel so great!” or, “I have so much more energy,” or, “I’m stronger, my moods are better, and I’m even sleeping better.” Everything is better. They have made enough changes with food and exercise that they really do feel better, and people are starting to notice.
Cancer is a powerful enemy, and I believe God calls us to be aggressive as we fight it–both in prayer and action. At one moment we are called to trust and surrender, and in the next to take up arms and fight. That’s what it means to be aggressive: daily doing battle in the heavenly realms, prayerfully asking God to move and do what only He can do. During our fight, we need God to do surgery inside us at the heart and soul level. We need Him to change our internal environment, both spiritually and physically.
Each contest we’re involved in as coaches is filled with missed opportunities, errors, and mistakes. In some games, like volleyball, basketball, softball, and baseball, we have only a few seconds to respond to shortcomings or errors. In other sports like football, golf, and track and field, response time may be longer. Regardless of the seconds or minutes that tick away, our reactions to our players’ mistakes are critical, not only for their confidence but often for the outcome of the game.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
As Carly Schumacher’s collegiate career nears its end, the middle blocker reflected on how she’s grown as an athlete and follower of Christ during her four years at Saint Louis University. The Clinton, Ill., native has learned through leading the FCA Huddle and the tragic death of a former teammate that what she’ll remember most are the relationships developed and lives touched for the Lord.
Like every little leaguer, I had dreams of playing in the big leagues one day. And, just like every other kid, I also dreamed of going pro in every sport and competition imaginable. Whether it was baseball, football, basketball, soccer, skiing, hunting or fishing, my older brother and I were doing it and competing to be the best while growing up in Fountain, Colo.
It’s rare, but, when it happens, people take notice. Every pass is complete, every drive ends with six, and everyone knows they’re witnessing greatness.
We talked to some of the top college football players in the country, beginning with USC’s Matt Barkley, about what it looks like to be “in the zone” spiritually.
Wisdom for a Young Head Coach
Week 20
Discussion Questions:
The actors act out the song “The Champion” by Carmen. This is a boxing theme of Jesus defeating Satan.
Characters: God, Jesus, Satan, Narrator, three angels, and three demons
It’s that time again—time for me to dig in and start the countdown to my next competition as a bodybuilder with multiple sclerosis. At 53 years old, I’m a few years older than when I last competed, and it certainly is not getting any easier. But, as He always does, the Lord has stood by me and has allowed me to keep pushing on by encouraging me to battle this disease and win.
After losing every game during soccer season, I learned a lot about perseverance, or “doing the deal” in the face of great odds. We all like to win, but it becomes harder for a coach and her players to keep going during a losing streak. It’s not easy encouraging players to win when they realistically don’t have a chance. What we needed in our town was a recreational soccer league. Such a league would be instrumental in helping players develop their skills; however, those who could make the league happen didn’t believe it would be successful. Consequently, I wrestled in prayer about whether or not I was really called to coach; it didn’t appear that I was doing the players any good.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
While his work may not generate headlines in local newsfeeds, University of Texas strength coach Donnie Maib knows the importance of his behind-the-scenes role in the Longhorn athletic department. Every day he works to prepare athletes for competition, and it’s a task he cherishes along with building relationships with each player who crosses his path. Maib has learned that, in the heart of training, he is able to instill in athletes a strong work ethic, good values, and the ability to handle any adversity they face.
On a brisk Saturday morning a while ago, I hit the running trail with my FCA Endurance teammates for an 18-mile training run. The trail was desolate, and over time my fatigued mind began to drift back to my warm car waiting in the parking lot. We were more than 15 miles into the run, and the thought of less than a 5K left begged me to push harder and finish strong, but still I just didn’t feel like giving it my all.
It was about that time that I heard a sound—one that meant more to me than it did to my running buddies. It was the sound of an approaching train, and its noise drowned out the heavy breathing of our tiring pack.
One of my favorite urban legends is about a young man who was training to become an Olympic diver. He wasn’t a Christian man, and really, the only religious influence in his life came from one of his outspoken Christian friends. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend’s “frequent sermons” and preferred not to think about the matter.
One night, however, the diver was feeling very troubled by the cares of the world so he went to the indoor pool at his college thinking that making a few dives would help him relax. The lights were off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was enough natural light for him to practice.
It could go down as one of the great debates in Illinois wrestling history. Who is better: Eric Terrazas or B.J. Futrell? The senior or the redshirt-junior? The 149-pounder from Wheaton, Ill., or the 133-pounder from Park Forest? How does one even decide such a question? Both have posted incredible numbers, and both seem to be evenly matched, with high scores in the mid-200s and the consistent ability to roll strikes. Yes, the question of who is the better bowler may never be clearly decided. The men themselves, however, have their own opinions.
Danny Woodhead is content with his anonymity—for however long it lasts.
Elusive on the field and often overlooked off it, he’s shifted through, sneaked around and slipped past defenses, college coaches and pro scouts for years as each has missed the opportunity to snag him.
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