As student athletes gear up for the new school year, MCL asked eight coaches and physical education teachers about how they’ve seen God move through athletics and what they wish their students (and parents) understood. Not all responses made it into print, but the biggest takeaway? A student athlete’s worth is never found in sports, but in Jesus Christ. Read on for more.
Doug Lycette, Christ Covenant School, Ridgeland
His role:
Head baseball coach, assistant football coach; 9th-grade history teacher; boys’ Bible study leader, 11th-12th grades.
How he’s seen God impact student athletes:
Sports give us an awesome opportunity to praise God in victory and rely on Him in defeat and to put things in a heavenly perspective!
What he tells every student athlete:
I love you, I am blessed to be (your) coach/teacher, and you are created by a loving God on purpose and for a purpose.
Hardest part of the job:
Long hours!
Best part of the job:
Building (relationships) with students and co-workers … and God using those relationships to encourage me and make me a better, more godly man.
The biggest lesson God has taught him through coaching:
Perspective. When I bump into former players years later, I don’t want them to say, “Hey Coach, thank you for teaching me how to take on a double team block …” I want them to remember that I loved God and treated them with respect.
What he wishes student athletes understood:
Their worth and value is in the blood of Jesus and not in anything else!
What he wishes parents of student athletes understood:
Be present, enjoy this part of (your) child’s journey, be their biggest cheerleader, and be positive!
His biggest wish for students when they graduate:
Two things: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as you are working for the Lord, not for man” (Colossians 3:23) and “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Sara Moss, First Presbyterian Day School, Jackson
Her role:
Athletic director and physical education director, K3-6th grades; coaches volleyball, track, and archery.
How she’s seen God impact student athletes:
I’ve seen God build confidence in students. I love watching them realize they can do hard things when they lean on the Lord.
What she tells every student athlete:
You can do hard things. Never give up, always give your best, honor God, and have fun.
Hardest part of the job:
Scheduling practices and games.
Best part of the job:
Working at First Presbyterian Day School is a blessing. I love helping students grow in athletics (physical education) and their confidence.
The biggest lesson God has taught her through coaching:
To listen more, be patient, and trust His timing.
What she wishes student athletes understood:
At this young age, I want them to enjoy learning new sports, have fun, and not let outside pressures define them. FPDS strives to provide a safe, encouraging environment where they can grow.
What she wishes parents of student athletes understood:
It’s their child’s journey, not theirs. Encourage them, but don’t push them toward something they no longer love.
Her biggest wish for students when they move on to seventh grade:
That they always glorify the Lord in everything they do, whether in sports or elsewhere, and that they lead with kindness.
Jake Benton, Hartfield Academy, Flowood
His role:
Head boys’ and girls’ soccer coach; physical education teacher, 2nd-4th grades.
How he’s seen God impact student athletes:
God has shown many athletes and me to learn to work and persevere with humility. That God uses the weak and humble. We don’t have to make it about us; instead, fix our eyes on the things above, where Christ is seated.
What he tells every student-athlete:
That whatever we do, do it unto the glory of God.
Hardest part of the job:
Honestly, it’s losing seniors.
Best part of the job:
I love watching kids develop throughout a season (and) seeing how the team ends as a whole each season. Not just on the field, but the belief that grows through the common bond through tough sessions, hard conversations, etc.
The biggest lesson God has taught him through coaching:
That I’m not in control. I am to be a steward of my student athletes. They belong to Him, not me.
What he wishes student athletes understood:
My only wish is that each athlete comes to the knowledge of knowing Christ. To taste His goodness is better than anything this world has to offer.
What he wishes parents of student athletes understood:
I hope that parents know that I care deeply for their kids. Not just to grow in the sport or life, but even more spiritually.
His biggest wish for students when they graduate:
I just pray they come to know Christ eventually if they don’t already. … If they know freedom in Jesus, then the life stuff will work itself out as long as they seek first His kingdom!
Melissa Denson, Jackson Academy
Her role:
Head volleyball coach; teaches honors anatomy and physiology and biomed.
How she’s seen God impact student athletes:
Through victories, setbacks, injuries, and challenges, He builds character, deepens faith, and teaches (student athletes) to lead and serve others with humility.
What she tells every student athlete:
(That) their worth is not in wins and losses or a stat line. Their worth comes from Jesus and His salvation.
Hardest part of the job:
(In volleyball, it’s) trying to learn, improve, and stay one step ahead of our competition by how we train. I also think managing 50 girls (and) making sure I check in on how they are that day …. I truly value relationships with my players.
Best part of the job:
I absolutely love the girls in my program and my students …. I love watching them grow through the years on and off the court into strong, confident, young women.
The biggest lesson God has taught her through coaching:
(My players and students have) taught me grace and how to love without judgment. God taught me through the years that volleyball and the classroom are my platform (to) love every kid that walks through that door.
What she wishes student athletes understood:
That their value is never determined by playing time, statistics, offers, or championships. … Character, integrity, work ethic, and the way you treat people will last far longer.
What she wishes parents of student athletes understood:
The goal isn’t to eliminate every obstacle; it’s to help them learn how to overcome them.
Her biggest wish for students when they graduate:
(That) they’ve learned way more than skills and science, but how to love God, love people, and know their worth.
Doug Goodwin, Jackson Preparatory School, Flowood
His role:
Head football coach.
How he’s seen God impact student athletes:
I would say (it’s) through other Christians serving them. Students are impacted by the way they are led, taught, and interacted with on a daily basis. When students know that you love and care for them, it creates a great relationship where lives can be impacted.
What he tells every student athlete:
(That) I love them. I am proud of them. … Be careful out there, and make great decisions, and if you have trouble deciding … call one of your coaches, and we’ll help you decide.
Hardest part of the job:
Dealing with unrealistic parent(s).
Best part of the job:
The interaction and relationships I get to have with our players …. I love to see the joy on (players’) faces when things go well, or they accomplish a goal.
The biggest lesson God has taught him through coaching:
That God creates the circumstances to put you where He wants you to be for His purpose.
What he wishes student athletes understood:
That most coaches and teachers are doing what they do because they love kids and want to make a difference in their lives.
What he wishes parents of student athletes understood:
(That) we want all of (our players) to have a great experience, and that it doesn’t necessarily look the same for every player.
His biggest wish for students when they graduate:
That their experience of being on our team is something they can look back on (and) wish they could go back and do all over again. Of course, we want them to be successful and productive members of society. Most importantly, we want them to be great husbands, fathers, and Christian leaders of their families.
Philip Short, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Madison
His role:
Varsity football coach, elementary physical education teacher.
How he’s seen God impact student athletes:
By changing where they find their identity. In today’s culture, athletes are told their value comes from stats, wins, or recognition. Through faith, they learn their worth is found in Christ, not the scoreboard.
What he tells every student-athlete:
To stop playing for the approval of people and start playing for the audience of One.
Hardest part of the job:
Shifting daily from teaching hundreds of elementary students to coaching varsity football while keeping the same Christ-centered message consistent.
Best part of the job:
The incredible platform God has given me to influence young people and share the gospel.
The biggest lesson God has taught him through coaching:
That until students understand who they are in Christ, they’ll always chase approval. Real freedom comes when they realize they’re already loved by Him.
What he wishes student athletes understood:
That sports are a platform, not their identity. Championships, scholarships, and highlights fade, but the way they represent Christ lasts forever.
What he wishes parents of student athletes understood:
That their child needs encouragement more than pressure. The greatest gift they can give is unconditional support by simply saying, “I love watching you play.”
His biggest wish for students when they graduate:
That they leave our program with a genuine relationship with Jesus, a love for His Word, and a desire to glorify Him in whatever path God leads them down.
Joya McNeil, The Redeemer’s School, Jackson
Her role:
Physical education teacher, K4-8th grades.
How she’s seen God impact students:
I teach my students (that) they can try hard things, and they should treat each other with respect. I’ve watched students take this and apologize to their fellow students when they show unsportsmanlike behavior. I’ve seen students with no confidence try and succeed in activities.
What she tells every student:
This past year, our prayer before class was that we would glorify God in our class and that it would be for our good. It is a reminder for me and my students that even exercising and moving our bodies is good for us and that how we do it should glorify God.
Hardest part of the job:
Having to stop for emergency bathroom breaks.
Best part of the job:
Seeing the joy on my students’ faces as they try an activity they thought they wouldn’t like.
The biggest lesson God has taught her through teaching P.E.:
To listen first. Kids are just little humans that want to be heard. Sometimes just taking the time to listen, especially if there’s a behavioral issue, solves many problems.
What she wishes students understood:
That they are created wonderfully and are loved not just by their parents and guardians but, more importantly, the Creator of the universe.
What she wishes parents understood:
The importance of physical movement throughout the day and not just (at) my class or recess.
Her biggest wish for students as they move on to high school:
I hope they do (whatever they do next) with excellence. I hope they work with a cheerful heart and full effort to do their best.
Russell Marsalis, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
His role:
Head varsity boys basketball coach, 5th- and 6th-grade fitness teacher.
How he’s seen God impact student athletes through sports:
Most of my coaches were Christians, and I saw how God used them to impact the lives of those around me, and it inspired me to become a coach myself. It’s an opportunity to share God’s love with so many.
What he tells every student-athlete:
Give your best in everything you do. It’s easy to find an excuse for everything that can go wrong in life, but lean on Christ for help with all of those problems.
Hardest part of the job:
Trying to find playing time for all my guys who work so hard during practice each day.
Best part of the job:
Seeing guys come through our program and then coming back to invest through their mentorship, and having them randomly stop by and telling what is going on in their lives.
Biggest lesson God has taught him through coaching:
That life is bigger than athletics, but athletics can be used to teach all the life lessons that can be so important in every aspect of (players’) lives.
What he wishes student athletes understood:
You only have so many years of high school athletics, and it’s important to take it all in and enjoy every moment.
What he wishes parents of student athletes understood:
That parents are a huge part of your kids’ athletic experience, and being supportive of them throughout the ups and downs will influence so much.
His biggest wish for students when they graduate:
That (they know that) there are so many life lessons that athletics can teach you that can be applied to everyday life, and to lean (into) those when things get tough.
