Sunday, October 31, 2010

FCA Heart of a Coach - Dabo Swiney

Heart of a Coach
October 2010
Q&A with Dabo Swinney
 Clemson University
Head Football Coach
 

As the second-year head football coach at Clemson University, Dabo Swinney is hoping to lead the Tigers to their first ACC Championship in 19 years. After accepting Christ through FCA in high school, the Alabama native (with one of the most memorable names in college football) is focused not only on making a positive impact on the school’s record books, but also on the lives of his players and staff.

STV: You’ve probably been asked this hundreds of times, but how did you get the name Dabo?DS: When I was born, my older brother would only refer to me as, “that boy.” Coming out of his mouth as a 17-month-old it sounded like, “da-bo.” I guess my parents just thought Dabo sounded good. By the time I was in first grade, that was what everyone knew me as, and there was no turning back. I didn’t even know my name was William until my fourth grade teacher took roll and said, “William Christopher Swinney.” I thought, “Who is that?”

STV: What was your first experience with FCA?
DS: A youth football coach named Stewart Wiley, who I met when I was 13 and who is still a dear friend, started the first FCA Huddle at my high school in Pelham, Ala. I started going because the pretty girls were there, but the next thing I knew, I was learning about the Bible and about having a relationship with Christ.


“Having the word ‘coach’ beside your name is an awesome responsibility.”
STV:
I hear you accepted Christ through FCA. Can you tell us how that happened?

DS: One of my childhood heroes, Joey Jones, a great receiver at Alabama, spoke at one of our meetings. I was fired up to hear him and thought he would talk about football, but, instead, he talked about what God had done in his life. He offered us the opportunity to be saved, and the next thing I knew I was praying with Joey Jones and accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior. I went home that night and wrote in my Bible, “February 3, 1986 – I dedicated my life to the Lord today, and He will be with me forever.”


STV: How has that decision affected your life?
DS: Every five or six years, I sign my name in my Bible and update where I am in life. I’ve had lots of ups and downs and struggles just like everybody else, but, because of that decision, I’ve had the true peace, happiness and hope that can only come from having a solid spiritual foundation in knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior.


STV: As a Christian, what is your opinion on the power of a coach’s influence?
DS: It is an incredible responsibility, and I don’t take it lightly. I understand that my job is to coach football, but I also feel that it is my responsibility to make sure the players have the opportunity to grow in every area of their lives. I try to make sure we have all the resources here for these guys to grow athletically, academically, spiritually and socially.

I hope I can be the head coach here for a long time, but, more than anything, I hope I can make a difference in the lives of young people by how I live my life. Billy Graham once said that a coach has the opportunity to influence more lives in one year than most others do in a lifetime. Having the word “coach” beside your name is an awesome responsibility.

About the Coach:Alma Mater: University of Alabama

Current School: Clemson University
Location: Clemson, S.C.

Family: Wife – Kathleen, Children – Three sons: Will (12), Drew (10) and Clay (7)

Coaching Summary: Swinney is in his second season as the head coach at Clemson after serving as an assistant from 2003 to 2008. From 1993 to 2001, he served as an assistant at the University of Alabama where he’d played as a wide receiver from 1989 to 1992 and helped the Tide to a national title in his final season.

FCA Staff Quote: “I believe that Clemson is one of the godliest public universities in our nation today and that Coach Swinney is a big reason why. His influence on his team, coaches, and on the Clemson community has been tremendous.” Josh Gregory, FCA Area Representative South Carolina

Thursday, October 28, 2010

HBHS FCA- 10/26

The huddle yesterday at HBHS was awesome! Over 70 kids showed up to hang out, eat pizza, play games and hear one of our leaders share her testimony. Gotta give a shout out to Madison Hybl, who stepped up and shared her story with all the students yesterday! Way to Go Madison! Also we need to thank Michele Amaral who was generous enough to donate the pizza for the 70 kids who showed up.

God is doing some great work over at Huntington High and we are all excited to be a part of it!

Verse of the Week

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and 
with all your soul and with all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: 
'Love your neighbor as yourself."

                                                                   Matthew 22: 37-29

Friday, October 22, 2010

I am Second - Josh Hamilton

Here is another great I am Second video featuring MLB player Josh Hamilton. Josh Hamilton, a left fielder for the Texas Rangers, is one of the reasons the Texas Rangers have made their best post-season run in the Clubs history. Josh shares about the struggles he has had in his life and the redemption found in Christ Jesus. Check out Josh and the rest of the Rangers tonight as they take on the New York Yankees and battle to become the ALCS Champion.






Thursday, October 21, 2010

Edison Huddle 10/21

Today was another awesome Huddle at Edison High School, with about 200 students showing up for the meeting. The student leaders led the everyone in an exciting game of NINJA, which was done with lots of laughter! We had such an awesome guest speaker today that while he was speaking you could hear a pin drop. Josh Klinge, an Edison Football Alumni, got real with the students and shared about his struggles that started in high school and led him down a path of destruction. He also shared about the power and Grace of a God who loves us and can transform our lives! Thanks for your testimony Josh!

We were also blessed by Christ Presbyterian Church, who donated the pizza for today's huddle, and by the numerous volunteers and youth pastors who showed up to serve the Students! Thanks!

Enjoy some pictures from the lunch....

An awesome karate chop
EHS Ninja Warriors
Speaker Josh Klinge gets real!
Josh really related to the students well


Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Verse of the Week

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                                                 Romans 8: 38-39

Andy Pettitte Interview w/ STV

In honor of the month of October and the ongoing MLB playoffs, here is a video of New York Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte. Andy sat down with FCA's Sharing the Victory Magazine to talk about his faith and baseball.

So, even if you are not a Yankee fan I hope you enjoy this video of a pro athlete playing for Jesus! If the Yankee-Ranger Series gets this far, Andy will be starting for the Yanks on Wednesday Oct. 23.







Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Marina Huddle 10/19

Today was another awesome Huddle at Marina High School FCA! We were blessed to have professional skateboarder Richard Jefferson come share his testimony with 45 students. He shared about how the Lord used skateboarding to draw him near, and how as Christians on our campuses we must take a stand for our faith. It was a great message. We were also blessed with another healthy dose of Del Taco tacos, courtesy of our wonderful parent volunteer Cindy Oda. Thanks Cindy!

Here are some shots from the day...


 RJ shares with the students

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Happy Birthday Coach

Today is the 100th birthday of the late great John Wooden. A man known not only for his victories on the court, but for the life lessons he so willing instilled in those he came into contact with. A great man of faith, Coach Wooden surely was a man who's lessons will withstand the test of time. Thanks Coach!


Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Huntington Beach HS Huddle

Today was the 1st Huddle of the year for Huntington Beach HS FCA, and it was a fun one! Our leaders welcomed in about 80 students for an awesome game and funny skit about FCA. The pizza was donated by our awesome huddle coach Kim Clarke! THANK YOU to all the volunteers who showed up to help make the day a success!

Check out some pictures from the Huddle...

 Huntington leader, Madison, welcomes everyone to FCA

 A group of leaders preform the skit in front of 80 of their peers

 students gather for prayer

 Pizza Anyone?

Double Time!

Tom Brady and the gang!

Verse of the Week

"6And without faith it is impossible to please God, 
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
                                                                                   Hebrews 11:6

Saturday, October 9, 2010

I am Second® - Sam Bradford

The former Heisman winning Quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners and current NFL starting Quarterback for the St. Luis Rams, Sam Bradford, talks about football and his faith in Jesus Christ.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Edison FCA Skit

Here is part of the Skit preformed by 5 student leaders at Edison High School...


Thursday, October 7, 2010

EDISON FCA Kick Off

Today was the kick off meeting for the Edison FCA. Over 200 kids showed up, for some pizza, fun and a introduction about FCA. Five of our leaders put on a great skit about FCA and it was a hit with the all the students. We are really excited about what God is going to be doing on the campus at Edison High School.

Please join the  Edison Facebook page @
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001718613422

Here are some Pictures from today's event...



 5 Student Leaders performing a skit

 Packed House Pt. 1

Packed House Pt. 2

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Verse of the Week

18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, 
but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, 
but what is unseen is eternal.
                                                                                                 2nd Corinthians 4:18

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Marina HS FCA Huddle

Marina HS had a FCA Huddle today where over 50 students showed up to enjoy some Del Taco, a FCA devotional Video, and a fun game. Here are some pictures from the Huddle...

 Students getting together at Marina HS for FCA

 Some Del Taco, Courtesy of a Parent Volunteer

 Student Leaders enjoying a quick bite

Student Leader leading a discussion on Jesus as the Ultimate Coach

Speaking @ TeWinkle

Yesterday, I got the opportunity to share at the kickoff FCA meeting for TeWinkle Middle School in Costa Mesa. It was a great opportunity to start the year there and share with about 75 junior highers! 

Here are some pictures from the Huddle....