Inspire, Fall/Winter 2009

4 FALL/WINTER 2009 campus news yellow jacket sports Athletes of Honor: Building a Legacy Five years ago, former Cedarville Athletic Director Pete Reese ’60 purposed to find ways to preserve the University’s athletic heritage and honor the alumni athletes of all sports whose success on field and court make up that history. To begin this process, the Legacy Committee was formed, comprised of Cedarville coaches. Using criteria established by coaches in each sport, the group identified athletes who had outstanding careers in their sports and in their eras. Not surprisingly, this task was huge, considering the number of men and women who have competed on Yellow Jacket teams since 1953, as well as all the ways the athletic program has changed. The Legacy Committee searched sports information archives and yearbooks, interviewed former coaches, and reviewed lists of nominees. They then voted on the honorees and selected more than 300 former athletes as Athletes of Honor. At this year’s homecoming, the athletic department commemorated the Athletes of Honor who graduated prior to 2000. Comprised of more than 60 honorees, the group marched in the homecoming parade, were recognized at halftime of the men’s soccer game, and attended a dessert reception afterward. They also received certificates stating their recognition as Athletes of Honor. Athletes of Honor who graduated after 2000 will be honored at homecoming next year. After 2010, additional nominees will be considered, with honorees being recognized every two years. To see the list of those named as Athletes of Honor, visit yellowjackets.cedarville.edu . During Homecoming 2009, more than 60 alumni athletes returned to campus to celebrate their achievement as Athletes of Honor. They enjoyed reconnecting with one another and their former coaches. Dr. Brown Named Master-Coach Each year, 12 prominent Christian leaders are appointed as master-coaches to lead training sessions at the Global Proclamation Academy (GPA) on the campus of Dallas Theological Seminary. In June, Cedarville President Dr. Bill Brown joined an impressive list of master-coaches that includes Dr. Tony Evans, Dr. Norman Geisler, Dr. Howard Hendricks, Dr. Erwin Lutzer, Dr. Charles Ryrie, and Dr. Joseph Stowell ’66. GPA equips national pastors from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe through sessions in biblical spirituality, theological discernment, and effective preaching. The pastors, mostly from areas experiencing explosive church growth, benefit from Christian fellowship and lectures from some of the world’s most sought-after speakers. This ministry-defining experience connects these influential pastors, which in turn fortifies their international ministries. “I was humbled to spend the day with these choice servants of God from around the world,” said Dr. Brown. “Most of them live in daily deprivation and danger because of their faith. I found myself continually challenged to evaluate our own priorities as followers of Christ in the United States.” “I was humbled to spend the day with these choice servants of God from around the world.”