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Fridav. April 18. 1980
University Daily Kansan
Christian athletes strive for athletic, spiritual highs
By JIM SMALL
Snorts Writer
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He restores my心. He heals me in the path of earth. He cleans it.
The selection from Psalm 23 may, better than any other, exemplify the beliefs and attitudes of a group of KU athletes who have accepted Jesus Christ into their lives.
They run for Jesus. They hit for Jesus. And they sink baskets for Jesus.
"I would say that three-fourths of the softball team is emailing," catcher Gay B舟营zo, Mission junior, said. "It really helps keep us together as a队."
CHRISTIAN ATLETES in intercollegiate sports aren't that rare. They are in revenue and non-revenue sports and they all have a spiritual commitment to the Lord.
"I've developed the philosophy that everything will be for the boy on a暴后背 homework wall Dillon did in his 15th grade, the Lord's will be done so I don't get upset if I don't really well and I don't get too excited if I have a hard day," said Bill.
Paul Schultz, Ornada, Neb. junior and member of the KU track team, said he turned to Jake to gain
"I lacked a lot of confidence in high school," Schultz said. "I really wasn't sure of myself. My parents told me about a youth group at our church so I decided to give it a try.
"The genuine love and concern that everyone had for each other was overwhelming. It was then that I felt the need to be more open."
NOT ALL CHRISTIAN athletes have "found Jesus" in the same way. Magley said the event
that led to his "birth" started with a death in his family.
"It was after my mother passed away that I became spiritually strengthened." Mailey said.
"But it was the summer before my freshman year that I really found the Lord. I met a young lady who would love me and she was one that showed me how easy it was to be a Christian. I had to repent for my sins and accept her."
Most Christian athletes agree that their faith has had a positive effect on their athletic performances. But many give different reasons for the improvement.
MATT FRIEDMAN, captain of the weightlion on the traction team, said his belief in Jesus had added to his strength.
"I am hesitant to say that I have improved my performance, but the theses I have improved," he said. "I think that the reason for it is that the Christian life is a very disciplined life and I have been successful in college."
Once an athlete has achieved success, they often devote their success to the Lord.
"One of the hardest things that I have to battle is giving the glory for winning a race to God," Schultz said. "A lot of people are very selfish when it comes to winning a race.
"They say, 'Well, I really deserved this win. It was my duty to go to do. But when I tell him, to give all my good work,"
"I WIN In HIS name. If it wasn't for his greatest weakness, I wouldn't have the ability to perform in the final round."
Schultz and Magley both said that as Christians
"I feel that this is why God gave me this athletic talent," Schultz said. "People have a habit of looking up and listening to athletes it is so good to me to further the Gospel and tell it to other people."
one of their responsibilities was to tell other people about their faith.
Margley said that he may have shaved some of his responsibility of spreading the word of God among
"ALL OF THE guys on the team are good guys and that is a good foundation for them to become Christians," 'Magley said. "But I feel that I should be spending some more time with them to help
Schultz and Friedman are active members in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. FCA has a member in the American College of Athletics.
DAVID BAUER, Brownwood, Texas, senior, said he was a major part of the night, midweek, no heavier than experience.
"It is a friendly fellowship of athletes getting together to praise God," he said. "Although we have all religious denominations in the group, we don't understand how Christians and thats where we place our emphasis."
The KU athletes who have made the decision to dedicate their life to God said that they were proud of their faith. They are grateful for what they have received from their Lord and are content with the KU athletes.
"No matter how bad my day has been, if I have failed three tests, or gone 6-0 at the plate, I know that it will get better," Bozangzui said. "I know that He won't let me get that low."
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