Inspire, Summer 2012

I enjoy sports, but I was never good enough to enjoy playing sports competitively. My memories of Yellow Jacket athletics were made in the stands. While chapel brought students together each day to grow spiritually, basketball brought us together each week to have fun! Practically the entire student body came out for the men’s varsity games. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know many of the guys on the team; just being all together cheering on the Jackets was an exciting way to spend a Saturday night. The bleachers went crazy whenever the pep band played Hang on Sloopy . My sophomore year, I became friends with several students on the cross country team and attended my first meet. Later that year I went with friends to watch the team run in the NAIA nationals. It wasn’t until I began working in Cedarville admissions that I became a true fan. I worked alongside the track and field coach, Tim Walters ’89. He invited me to accompany the team on their spring break trip to Florida, and then I began attending meets across the Miami Valley. There’s nothing like sitting in the freezing cold rain cheering on your friends and showing that Yellow Jacket spirit! Now I have an even more exciting perspective on athletics — as a parent! Who would have thought watching your kids play sports would be so much fun? And nerve-wracking. And humbling. And could make you feel so proud. My wife coaches our daughters’ middle school volleyball team, so that’s all they talk about at our house during the fall season. Sports have an amazing capacity to bring people together, teach lifelong lessons, and (as many in our Cedarville family can attest) be a catalyst for ministry that draws people to Christ. As you read through this issue of Inspire , you’ll see an article by hall of famer Bruce McDonald ’69 about a lifetime of athletic ministry next to an article by Kayla Jenerette ’14, who is seeing the potential for athletic ministry for the first time. Many of us will relate to Sandy (Hitchcock) DeBartolo ’90, who writes about the joys and sacrifices of being a parent of an athlete. Dr. Brown and athletic director Dr. Alan Geist ’83 explain what Cedarville’s new NCAA affiliation means for student-athletes, the University, and fans. We’ve also included some great practical tips from pro marathon runner Sergio Reyes ’03, sports physician Dominic McKinley ’92, and personal trainer Amanda (Cole) Tress ’08 to help keep you and your young athlete in top form. This summer while on vacation, my family and I memorized Romans 12:9–18. Paul exhorts believers to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another, honor others above yourselves, keep your spiritual zeal in God’s service, be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer — these lessons we learn by living in community can and should be practiced on the athletic field. Blessing, harmony, sportsmanship, rejoicing, mourning, humility, integrity — these qualities make the games worth watching. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone,” Paul wrote. Even after the jump ball. Jeff Beste ’87 Director of Alumni Relations “Sports have an amazing capacity to bring people together, teach lifelong lessons, and (as many in our Cedarville family can attest) be a catalyst for ministry that draws people to Christ.” 28 SUMMER 2012 di rector ’s cha i r