{"id":7677,"date":"2006-05-07T16:04:55","date_gmt":"2006-05-07T21:04:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/?p=7677"},"modified":"2011-07-06T08:31:39","modified_gmt":"2011-07-06T13:31:39","slug":"489","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/newswire\/2006\/05\/07\/489\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Reflect on Athletics and Personal Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO, IL (May 7, 2006) – (Editor’s note: Covenant News Service conducted a roundtable discussion with several members of various North Park University sports teams earlier this year, focusing on what it means to be a Christian athlete. The student athletes were eager to talk about ways in which their faith has been challenged and nurtured so that they grow as people and not just as athletic competitors.)<\/em><\/p>\n

By Stan Friedman<\/p>\n

The North Park University women’s rowing team made headlines in 2004 – its first year of competition – when one of its boats surprised everyone by capturing a gold medal at the Dad-Vail Regatta, one of the most prestigious events in the country. Unknown to nearly everyone, however, was the problem earlier in the season that threatened any chance of success – they didn’t get along.<\/p>\n

The Christian faith of the young women was tested, but ultimately was the inspiration that brought them together, says team member Annika Safstrom. “We prayed about the differences,” she says. “We talked about why we were really there.”<\/p>\n

For many North Park athletes, their faith has helped them weather personal and team struggles as well as experiencing the joy of God. As their faith has grown, so has their witness.<\/p>\n

Abbie Frank, the star player on the women’s soccer team, says she tries to be conscious of her actions on the field, but confesses, “I can be overly competitive.” The others around the table laugh, knowing her passion for the game.<\/p>\n

Frank, who attended a public high school, says her competitive nature initially caused her to struggle when playing another Christian school in the conference. After the game, the opposing team asked the Vikings to pray together. “That was hard for me at first,” she confesses.<\/p>\n

The athletes say they also are aware of being examples, which hasn’t always been easy. “I think it’s easy for people to criticize you when you don’t live up to your own standard,” Dillon says. “People notice you and your walk. People aren’t always very gracious when you slip up. That’s been very challenging for me.”<\/p>\n

If there are challenges, there also is joy that comes during competition. In one way or another, the athletes echo the famous words of British runner Eric Liddell, who was quoted in the movie Chariots of Fire<\/em> as saying, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure,” a sentiment shared by some of the young athletes:<\/p>\n