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CAMPUS

The Norwich Guidon
April 29, 2004

NU athletes find inspiration in Christian Fellowship meetings

By Ed Sulton-EL
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

The Christian Fellowship of Athletes is headed by Coach Bill Barrale, head baseball coach and offensive coordinator of the Norwich football team.

"The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is just a group that meets once a week on campus and is not really structured," Barrale said. "We kind of let our guards down, and it's not like player-coach type of relationship. We are all kind of equal before God's eyes."

The organization started in 1999.

"We met once a week at Andrews Hall in the Hall of Fame Room," Barrale explained.

When the fellowship started, it was made up of basketball players, hockey players, and track team members. But now it is mostly made up of football players.

The fellowship is open to all faiths.

"I, myself, am a Born Again Christian," Barrale said. "Having a relationship with God is very important to me.

"I feel as though I coach here at Norwich, and I am here to touch people, and I want to share my background and the gospel message of Jesus," he said. "My goal is to share and get people introduced into Jesus and the Bible."

As part of the fellowship, Barrale makes an effort to help people with their problems, believing that faith in God can help.

Many athletes participate in the fellowship and use it to discuss their feelings and look for guidance.

"I am a practicing Catholic who lost faith for a while, and I am trying to find it, again," said Matt Rodman, a 21-year-old junior criminal justice major from Randolph, Mass. "I am beginning to find faith, again, in my religion and in God."

Many athletes find it helpful to meet together each week as part of the fellowship. They are able to discuss life and problems with each other. Other students come to the meetings just to listen, and many find that they can relate to the other athletes.

"It feels great," Rodman said "There is no pressure talking. I talk about everything from my losing of my faith over the past couple of years to breaking up with my girlfriend.

"It's good to know that Coach Barrale is able to relate my problems with passages in the Bible," Rodman added.

To attend, you don't have to be practicing any particular religion. It is open to all religions, and to all men and women.

Jason Lewis Reynoldburg, a 22- year-old junior from Ohio who is majoring in political science, said, "It is something inspirational that we talk about for an hour. It's good, because you can talk about anything that comes to your mind, but it is a great time to get things off your chest.

"Especially during the season, it is good to clear your head, and especially during off-season," Reynoldsburg said. "You know when academics build up and other priorities build up and other priorities come up, it is good to get it all out."

Some are finding that participating in the fellowship is inspirational to those who never had a belief in or faith in God.

"I came in the school not very religious, and he brought it to my attention, and I think the whole background of the fellowship is to further the word of Christ, and it feels good to talk to God," said Travis Dearborn, a 21-year-old junior communications major from Bowden, N.H.

"We just talk amongst ourselves, and there are no fights or problems, and you can talk and you don't feel stupid," Dearborn said, adding that Barrale, "Makes you know and feel that you can make it through, because it has happened to Jesus, and he made it through."

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.