Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 42

I D12 Albuquerque Journal Sunday, December 15, 1996 fCoaches, Athlete a for Christianityi Huddling Membership's at a Quarter Of a Million embership in the Fellow- ship of Christian Athletes II numbers nearly 250,000, JUL according to Monty from PAGE D1 students meeting regularly to nurture Christian growth and service. been a huddle sponsor at every college at which I coached since I joined FCA in 1983," Darnell says. The list includes Drake, Missouri Western, Utah State and now UNM. His huddle assistant is Mark Paulsen, UNM's strength and conditioning coordinator. Darnell's Lobo huddle group includes Chad Smith (a free safety who set a punt-return record against Texas-El Paso), safety Scott McGarrahan, linebacker Blake Irwin and receiver Jimmy McGrew.

It's common to see them joining an opposing team for prayer Gavin, FCA state director. There are 5,944 huddle groups (mid-school, high school and college) in cities throughout the U.S., involving 240,000. There are 420 adult FCA chapters. Summer FCA camps, such as one in Flagstaff, are held all over the country and involve coaches, athletes and their families. They annually attract more than 13,000 people.

Male and female athletes or students involved in athletics who are interested in joining the Fellowship of Christian Athletes may call (505) 761-3121, or write FCA, P.O. Box 92050, Albuquerque, N.M. "The Alamogordo school administration outlawed prayer at its commencement ht football games and at baccalaureate exercises," Gavin says. "The kids in the FCA were incensed, said it was wrong and went to their huddle leader a coach. He and the group got legal advice, all according to the book, and restored prayer in each case.

fJ 6 "It happened because the coach had gufs, and the kids went about it the right In addition to huddles, 14 adult chapters1; are composed of businessmen, coaches', school administrators, who serve as' speakers, huddle advisersleaders and; v' summer camp coaches (Bliss and Darnell). On the media front, Randy Rich (KLYT), and Henry Tafoya (KDEF) use their radio'1 stations to further FCA activities while7 broadcasting high school sports. KLYT Is the oldest contemporary Christian music station in the country, says Rich, a former-Lobos safety (1973-75), KLYT's 5 presidentgeneral manager and the uncle of Lobo Chad Smith. FCA has detractors Though FCA has wide-ranging support, also has its detractors. When Evander Holyfield thanked God ofl television after soundly whipping Mike Tyson in Las Vegas, Nev.

(publicly proclaiming love for Jesus Christ), FCA members everywhere beamed with pride. Critics, however, wondered aloud: thankful witnessing or showboating? "Only God and the athlete know the answer to that question," Darnell says. He turns to the Bible's New Testament, Colossians 3:17 and says: "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in thtj name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and Father through him." the Cowboys in the '60s, '70s and '80," he says. "Guys like Roger Staubach, Bob Lilly, Bob Bruenig, to name a few." Present-day softies would be men like Green Bay's Reggie White, an ordained minister; John Blake, University of Oklahoma football head coach; Byron Hanspard, Heisman Trophy candidate at Texas Tech; Jim Harbaugh, Indianapolis Colts quarterback; Bill McCartney, former University of Colorado football head coach; Ken Hatfield, head football coach at Rice; and Nebraska head football coach Tom Osborne, one of the FCA's strongest advocates. The New Mexico angle More than 4,000 male and female coaches, athletes and adults participate in the FCA in New Mexico.

Nationally, there are nearly 250,000 members in the FCA, which was founded in 1954 at Oklahoma State University and today is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. Former UNM trainer and present associate athletic director L.F. "Tow" Diehm, along with ex-sportscaster Connie Alexander, helped organize Albuquerque's first FCA adult chapter during the late 1950s. New Mexico's state office opened in 1988. Gavin says New Mexico has 50 huddle groups (high school, mid-school and college) located in Albuquerque, Hobbs, Alamogordo, Clovis, Estancia Valley, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Roswell, Ruidoso, San Juan County and Santa Fe.

He travels more than 30,000 miles a year visiting huddle groups. The director related an incident in Alamogordo four years ago that shows how a huddle group can have an impact on a community. Albuquerque for a complete exam. One artery was completely blocked. An angioplasty followed.

"I feel great," McPeters says, "but I doubt I'll call any more games this season (which ends Dec. 22). The NFL officials have been very supportive, and I plan to be back in 97." McPeters' personal relationship with God has allowed him "to keep things in perspective. I know His hand was on my shoulder throughout the operation. And I know He accepts and loves me unequivocally." FCA is a tool for reaching out to athletes, coaches and others with the message of Christ, he says.

The MVP Joins In John Wetteland, World Series MVP for the New York Yankees in their win over Atlanta, is a Cedar Crest resident in the offseason. He often speaks to New Mexico high school huddles despite a busy winter schedule. "Through FCA," the former Dukes and Dodgers pitcher says, "you can share with people not only what you know about baseball, but also what's really important, not only in my life, but everybody's lives. I try to tell people that you only have peace, joy and contentment through a relationship with Jesus Christ." There was a photo of Wetteland who had just notched his record fourth save in the sixth game of the Series standing alone on the Yankees' dugout steps, looking up into the sky, hands pressed against his heart. He was surrounded by teammates pummelling one another.

The photo was testimony of a true Christian. Aaron Santini, UNM's starting shortstop for three years (1991-93) and an ice skating following a game. "We thank God for giving us the talents to play to our best abilities," Darnell says. we're committed to Christ, we should be able to perform better. Every coach in the city and State knows where I stand." Lloyd McPeters, former Highland High quarterback under Bill McPETERS: Faith aided him In operation buddy of Wetteland's when the Scorpions are on the road, is the leader of Eldorado High's huddle.

His aide is Lobos assistant baseball coach Paul Huitt. The Eagles group includes 20 to 30 boys and girls who meet Tuesdays at the home of Donny Sevieri, an all-city running back. Santini and Huitt nixed the myth that "Christians are soft, too meek." State FCA director Monty Gavin laughs at the "softness" and "meek" charge sometimes leveled at Christian athletes. "That means Tom Landry (one of the FCA's fathers) had a bunch of sissies on Gentry and now in his fourth season as an NFL official, is a regular speaker at adult FCA chapters and civic clubs in the state. McPeters started as a YAFL PeeWee official, moving up to New Mexico prep ranks, then to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and WAC status before making the pros in 1992.

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