Torch, Summer 1980

14 The Times and the Seasons Pat Landers Dixon ff er father said to her, "You have been highly honored, but you have not dipped your colors as far as spiritual things are concerned. Your burden for the girls on your team and your willingness to spend time with them in Bible study has paid off." Highly honored: On March 26, 1980, in New York City, Dr. Maryalyce Jeremiah was awarded the "Stayfree Coach of the Year." This annual award is presented to the outstanding women basketball coaches on three collegiate levels: large college, small college, and junior/ community college. A twenty-member selection committee of peers representing the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women chooses the recipients. Receiving this award indicates the coach has been successful in the improvement of the team, in the fulfillment of team and player potential, and in leadership. A few weeks later, another honor came: the American Women Sports Foundation named her "Coach of the Year." Maryalyce went to the University of Dayton two years ago after having spent nine years as a coach and professor at Cedarville College. While there, she compiled a 104-75 win/loss record and a state championship in 1972. Leaving Cedarville was not an easy decision, but reaching young women for Christ challenged her. Burden for girls: During Coach Jeremiah's short ITINERARIES JAMES T. JEREMIAH, CHANCELLOR June 9-13 Covington Baptist Church, Covington, PA; ' 15-18 Independent Baptist Church, Blairsville, PA; 11 Bethel Baptist Church, Erie, PA (morning worship & church building dedication service); 23-27 GARBC Conference, San Diego, CA; July 28-August 2 Scioto Hills Reservation, Wheelersburg, OH; August 4-10 Montrose Bible Conference, Montrose, PA; 24 Calvary Baptist Church, Hazel Park, MI; 31 New Milford Baptist Church, New Milford, OH; September 14-17 First Baptist Church, Medina, OH. tenure at U.D., she has witnessed three of her players and one assistant coach make professions of faith in Jesus Christ. The burden has not dissolved with their salvation; discipleship continues to be one of her concerns. This coach studies the most important rule book, the Bible, with her team when she leads them through particular Bible studies. "Her determination to press on to be a winner and to excel for the glory of God challenges my life," commented her brother Jim. "She could have quit when the days of preparation and difficulty came her way." A winner: She has not always won in sports. Her brothers like to brag that they were the first ones who taught her to be a humble loser. Since there were no organized girls' athletics in high school, Maryalyce did not begin competitive basketball until she was a student at Cedarville College. Honors came then: sixth leading scorer, present record holder for the highest game average, most valuable player, and athlete of the year. When she went to U.D., Coach Jeremiah had a goal of winning a national championship; after the second year, she achieved it. That accomplishment only proved the climax to the team's 33-2 season. Finally, a national championship had come to Dayton, Ohio, in 1980. The city was very aware of it, too. One local reporter stated, "Watching you, I saw a strong woman who is very sincere and giving. These qualities were ever present no matter how tense or glorious the moment . . . I felt a surge of energy when you told me that challenge and love were the motivation for your career. You've touched the life of someone outside the sports arena." The Dayton City Commission passed a resolution commending her on her "outstanding ability as a coach, not only instructing players in the intricacies of the game but also instilling in them the determination to excel." Following this resolution came the one frnm the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate. • The days of planned, formal preparation are behind her; the months and years of continued excellence lie before her. Be assured Maryalyce Jeremiah would be the first to tell you, "Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name" (I Chronicles 29: 12, 13). PAUL DIXON, PRESIDENT June 5 Calvary Christian School (Commencement), Covington, KY; 7 Cedarville College Commencement; 19-20 Council of Eighteen meetings, San Diego, CA; 22 a.m. Immanuel Baptist Church, San Diego, CA; p.m. Scott Memorial Baptist Church, San Diego, CA; 23-27 GARBC National Conference, San Diego, CA; July 3 First Baptist Church, New Philadelphia, OH; 10 Blackhawk Baptist Church, Ft. Wayne, IN; 13 Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants Baseball Chapel, Cincinnati, OH; 17 Bill Rice Ranch, Murfreesboro, TN; 20 Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Chapel, Atlanta, GA; August 2-9 Word of Life, Schroon Lake, NY; 15 Grand Rapids Baptist College Golf Banquet, Grand Rapids, MI; 18-23 Chinese Bible Camp, San Francisco, CA; September 7 Hillcrest Baptist Church, Logansport, IN; 14 Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers, Baseball Chapel, Cin– cinnati, OH; 21 Memorial Baptist Church, Columbus, OH; 27-28 River– side Baptist Church, Decatur, IL.