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In our sports culture today, it is not uncommon for star athletes to be known for their faith just as much their play in their respective sport. Whether it is star basketball player Jeremy Lin, who often takes time to give glory to God in postgame interviews, baseball player Josh Hamilton, who thanked Jesus after winning the ALCS and making it to the World Series in 2010, or football phenomenon Tim Tebow, who is the embodiment of an outspoken Evangelical athlete, the idea of a religious athlete is far from a new concept in today’s sports culture.
But college athletes, especially those at a small state institution like The College of New Jersey, do not have the same visibility and platform that these religious superstars do. For this reason, TCNJ athletes have a very different experience in demonstrating their faith than those at the professional levels.
“I wouldn’t say that I pray or anything particular before a game,” JT Schwindt, Captain of TCNJ’s
Ultimate (Frisbee), said. “I’m not like Tim Tebow or anything, going on the one knee or leading a prayer circle or anything like that. I just have in my mindset all the time, wherever I go, I’m a Christ ambassador. The way I present myself is very key.”
For Christian athletes like Schwindt, faith is demonstrated best through actions and a persona both on and off the field.
“If I make a bad play, it’s about not losing my mind and cursing off a storm or going crazy,” said Schwindt. “Or if I make a play, not going crazy and trying to be very humble. Just knowing what my role is that I play a team sport and not an individual sport, so it’s about the overall concept of the team, not just me.”
For a Christian collegiate athlete like Schwindt, being a Christian means more than simply expressing his faith. Because being a Christian means being an ambassador for Christ in all settings and situations, athletes like Schwindt remember that even in emotional situations on the field, they are called to be a good example for others to follow.
“[My faith] does affect my athletics, because, I would say that my religion affects all aspects of my life in the way that I present myself,” he explained.
One way in specific that Christians are called to be examples both on and off the field is through caring for all. In an athletic context, this includes opponents, even in the hyper-competitive culture that is college sports.
“A lot of people would say that that does not make you competitive, but I would say that it just makes you practice good sportsmanship,” said Schwindt. “That’s what it really promotes, I think it demonstrates that a lot in the way that I play.”
Although Christian collegiate athletes like Schwindt understand the importance of their actions on the field, they also believe it is important to speak about and explain their faith to others, especially teammates.
As one of three captains on the team, Schwindt does have a certain level of influence that he hopes will positively affect his team.
“I’ve brought different guys on the team to different religious events that I go to, which is part of who I am,” Schwindt said. “Also, a couple of them come out to a Bible study that I led last year.”
Schwidnt believes that it is not only important to share his faith so others can understand the message of Christianity better, but also so they can understand him and the other Christians on the team.
“It’s cool because it is another way to connect with people on a deeper level,” said Schwindt. “It shows respect that even though they don’t necessarily believe the same things that I do, they respect me enough to come out and learn about religion.”
Schwindt is not the only Christian on the squad that is trying to make an impact for Christ. As Schwindt explained, teammates Dave Hubert and Billy Jones are trying to start a Bible study with other players on the team.
This trio of ultimate players are not the only ones trying to act as ambassadors for Christ on the field.
Nick Mancini of the Men’s Club Hockey team at TCNJ is another Christian who is not shy about practicing his faith in athletic settings.
“I don’t go into a practice, or into a game, or even into training off the ice without praying first,” said Mancini.
For Mancini, playing hockey is more than simply skating on ice and taking shots on goal. For Mancini, the art of playing hockey is an act of worship to God.
“There are a lot of ways that God ties into my games,” Mancini explained. “Hockey keeps me very close to God. If I’m having a really bad day, or if I’m not feeling it that day, then I know that I can sweat and bleed, and play hockey, and know that it will bring me closer to God. It makes me lean on my faith more.”
Like Schwindt, Mancini is not afraid to let his teammates know that he is a Christian and takes his faith very seriously.
“I don’t go around speaking Christianese to people,” said Mancini. “I try to show my faith through my works. I think it is pretty obvious that I follow God. I’ll be in here reading the Bible all the time, and my teammates will come up to me sometimes and see me, and will ask what I’m doing. I’m like, ‘reading the Bible.’”
For Christian athletes at TCNJ such as Schwindt and Mancini, faith and sports are not simply two separates drawers in the cabinet of one’s life. Instead, the athletes agree that the two are intertwined. For Christian athletes all around campus such as Schwindt and Mancini, faith makes up who are they, and is with them wherever they go.
Their time on the field and the ice-rink are no exceptions.