FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHELETES HELPS CREATE BOND AMONG STUDENTS

Being an athlete is tough, but it can get even tougher when you are a Christian athlete.

"It's gonna be tough regardless," said Travis Smith, president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Southeast Missouri State University. "But I always put God first and then give him my time and my heart, and he directs me."

Smith, a senior from Rockport, Ind., played basketball for Southeast.

When he first joined the FCA Huddle on campus, Smith was the only athlete in the group. But now the numbers have grown, and nearly every collegiate sport is represented, he said.

Huddles, as the local FCA groups are called, help bring athletes and coaches together for fellowship, spiritual growth and outreach. Meetings are held at the University Center program lounge each Monday at 7 p.m.

"All athletes know it's tough; it's hard physically, spiritually," Smith said. But having a group of Christian athletes to turn to makes things easier. "We can pray for each other."

Spring DeCramer, a senior at Cape Girardeau Central High School, likes having an instant connection with other athletes. When she first started attending FCA huddle meetings, DeCramer said she didn't know many of the other students.

"But now I have that connection, and we can talk," she said. "I know that I'm not the only one."

As a college athlete, Smith knows he doesn't present a stereotypical image. He doesn't attend wild parties and doesn't drink or do drugs.

And while many people would say that is unusual, it seems to be a trend in athletics.

Many professional players are standing up for their beliefs, regardless of their religion. God is back in the game in American sports.

There are a lot of people that might think we're doing it just because it's popular, and that may be so for some, but God can use it regardless, Smith said. "There are those like A.C. Green or David Robinson -- I know them because of basketball -- and they are focused and right with the Lord. It's really encouraging."

Having any professional athlete or coach publicize their faith and beliefs can be beneficial to young student athletes, said Brett Reutzel, who is head basketball coach for Central.

"Any time you have someone saying it's OK and encouraging something positive, it gives them a boost and makes them feel good," he said.

But many of the students weren't really worried about doing the popular thing. They just want to make sure what they do glorifies God.

Although it's not always popular in high school to display Christ-like attributes, Central's athletes do, Reutzel said. "They take a stand."

Central's FCA Huddle draws both athletes and non-athletes alike. The group meets for a devotion each Friday morning before school. About 30 students attend.

Alicia Scott, assistant athletic director at Southeast Missouri State, said FCA helps athletes deal with "living in a fishbowl."

"If they do something wrong, it's on the front page of the sports section," she said. "There are some added pressures. Being involved in FCA gives them a platform, and many times people will listen to them."

Scott was involved in FCA during her years as a college athlete. She sponsors the group at Southeast.

With society being the way it is, maybe people are looking for positive things, and FCA is doing a good job of promotion, she said. "As an athletic administrator, these are the positive things we want to see."

For more information about FCA, visit their Web site at www.fca.org or to find out more about organizing a Huddle, call (800) 289-0909 or write to FCA Ministry Services Department at 8701 Leeds Road, Kansas City, Mo. 64120.