Photograph by Logan Howard "I think we are hard workers but we are not aggressive players," Holmes said. "Where a lot of other teams are player versus player. in a Christian community it is whole team versus whole team.· While the competition between teams remains, Cedarville also encourages both teams to have community with one another. After the game, and even sometimes before, students from Cedarville and from the other team will gather and pray Once the end of the game is announced, players walk exhausted to the middle.of the gym. The sweaty players lock their arms around each other in a circle and bow their heads. The audience falls silent as the announcer prays over the game that just took place. They might pray for safe travels for the opposing team as they head home. for the health of the players and about the rest of the season. Arms are unlocked and the players stay to talk, or they part ways Fall 2022 to head home after a grueling game. Students are also encouraged to cultivate individual relationships with players from other teams. They will pray, write a note or seek out a player from the other team and offer encouragement or just start a conversation with them. The amiable interactions between players are one of the ways Cedarville sets itself apart from other college sports teams. While students are taught humility, competition is not lost on Cedarville's sports teams. Cedarville University is an NCAA Division II program and number 14 on the list of the top universities in that division. Its varsity sports include basketball. soccer, volleyball and more which compete with some of the top schools in the nation. The Cedarville Athletic Department's mission statement says, "Cedarville Athletics fosters a distinctive culture in competitive athletics that commissions studentathletes to impact the world for Christ." And one of the visions they have in accordance with that mission statement is "to change sports culture.· Through the unique teaching and practices that integrate a Christian worldview into their sports teams, Cedarville University is well on its way to making that vision a reality. "Athletics is an important part of an institution, but at Cedarvi lle, it is beyond the winning. You learn a lot by being part of a team, in some ways, you learn more about life than you ever will in a classroom: former basketball player and current sports information director Mark Womack said. "Your experience with teammates teaches you to serve one another and be humble around each other. It's a real teaching and learning experience and Cedarville is one of the best at fostering it." Avon/ea Brrnllfn is a sophomore journalism major and editor/writer for Cedars. She en;oys watching m ovies, hiking in her hometown in Mame. and spending time with f,iends over good food. Graphic by Corrissa Smith CEDMlS 23
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