Fellowship of Christian Athletes: 62 Years And Growing

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) was incorporated in 1954, after founder Don McClanen took his idea to Branch Rickey, baseball hall of famer who signed Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers. McClanen's idea gained much popularity. The first FCA National Camp was hosted in 1956.

According to FCA's website, the vision of the organization is "to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes." Their mission statement is "to present to coaches and athletes, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church."

2016 marks the 62nd year of this organization. Today, the ministry has four different focuses: coaches, campuses, camps, and community. FCA works through coaches, on campuses, in camps, and throughout communities. In the last 62 years, FCA has grown remarkably. The number of campuses that FCA is on, the number of members involved, the number of summer camps, and the number of summer camp attendees are all at an all-time high.

FCA Growth
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From the growth of the organization, imagine the impact that it is having on the athletes and coaches involved. Virginia Tech's chapter of FCA has grown substantially in the past few years. The athletes that choose to take part in the program have nothing but positive things to say about their experience in FCA.

"FCA has been awesome because it's given me other players on the team that follow Jesus and have a heart to serve other people. It can be tough if you think you're the only Christian on the team or the only one that love God," said Sam Rogers, a leader in Virginia Tech's FCA and a full back on the school's football team. "It's nice to just be around a community like that."

"We've had several of our athletes that we know FCA has made a huge difference, by transforming their lives completely," said Dave Gittings, campus ministry director and football chaplain at Virginia Tech. "We've had many of our athletes that have come through where they were going down a dark road and because of our ministry of serving them and helping them to understand what God created them to be, they've been able to divert that path."


"God is moving in some special ways in the lives of our coaches and athletes," said Gittings, who has been at Virginia Tech since 2013 and has helped transform the chapter into the resource that it is today. Athletes and coaches can turn to him or any of the FCA staff for advice or encouragement anytime they need it.

"Dave is a great mentor," said Travon McMillian, FCA member and running back for the Virginia Tech football team. "He teaches us a lot about the bible and scripture, so it's definitely impacted my life in a positive way."



FCA at Virginia Tech is a great example of what the ministry does all over the country and the world. Looking deeper into one campus can show how the other 14,000+ campuses may operate their FCA chapter.

Founder Don McClanen, who passed away earlier this year, can rest easy knowing what he started 62 years ago is still growing and impacting the lives of thousands.

Timeline of Virginia Tech's Bowl Game Streak

Starting in 1993, lead by head coach Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech's football team has made it to a bowl game every single season. This is the second longest current bowl streak in the NCAA, FSU holds the number one spot with 34 consecutive appearances. Coach Beamer carried the Hokies through 23 consecutive bowl games, including one national championship in 2000. He coached his last bowl game where the streak started: the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was fitting to send the head coach of 29 years out with a win where his bowl streak began. Many people thought that the streak would end there and the program would have to start from scratch after losing their head coach. However, new head coach Justin Fuente has proven many skeptics wrong this season with his new upbeat offensive scheme. The Hokies once again became bowl eligible after beating Pittsburgh on October 27, and increasing their record to 6-2. If the team keeps up their momentum, the Hokies will make an appearance in the 2016 post season.

Sinkland Farms Slideshow

Celebrating 25 years of pumpkins and family traditions, Sinkland Farms is continuing their annual Pumpkin Festival. After starting as a small, family owned and operated festival, the event has grown so much that some people travel hours to visit. During the month of October, families, students and locals crowd the farm every weekend to take in the scenery and enjoy the many attractions the Pumpkin Festival brings. Sinkland Farms is open to the public on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 2-16 and free for children under 2 years of age. Multiple clubs and organizations from the surrounding colleges, such as Virginia Tech and Radford University, visit the festival annually. Local elementary schools also make field trips to Sinkland Farms. Many local families have made it a tradition to attend every year; they have a fun-filled day and leave with their perfect pumpkins that they picked out themselves from the pumpkin patch.
 

Virginia Tech Slideshow

Virginia Tech, home to the Hokies, is located in the mountains of Blacksburg, Virginia. With over 30,000 students, the land-grant university offers a wide variety of majors, minors, and classes that fit the interests of students from all walks of life. Hokies can get involved in many different athletics, intramural sports, clubs and organizations on campus. The Hokie spirit shines on campus through their students and faculty. Virginia Tech was even voted #1 in quality of life by the Princeton Review. Virginia Tech traditions, such as the Ring Dance, buildings made of Hokie Stone, and jumping to Enter Sandman, are just a few things that make the school so unique. This slideshow features photographs of different places of the campus and more facts about what the university has to offer.

 

Photographs of Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech has been ranked in many categories, one of those being #1 in Best Quality of Life. With the beautiful campus, the amazing food, and some of the nicest people you'll meet, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise. The values that Virginia Tech and Hokies across the nation hold are represented throughout campus. Every building has special meaning and purpose. Everyone has their favorite spot on campus or a place on campus that means the most. When someone mentions Virginia Tech, what is the first image that pops into your mind?

Beautiful orange flowers help show the spirit of Virginia Tech along with the Pylons that represent the school’s values of brotherhood, honor, leadership, sacrifice, service, loyalty, duty and ut prism.

Torgerson Bridge emulates the beautiful architecture that is prevalent on the campus of Virginia Tech. From the inside, it showcases one of the prettiest views of campus. 

   Virginia Tech was established in 1872.  With maroon being one of the school’s colors, it can be found everywhere you turn, flattering the entire campus.

Just like our athletes who perform behind the walls of the new Indoor Practice Facility, Hokie Stone represents the strength and unity of Hokie Nation. 

   When people stop and see the sign that reads Beamer Way, they remember who and what that represents. Coach Frank Beamer represented Virginia Tech’s values to the fullest during his tenure as head football coach.

War Memorial Chapel is an iconic place on campus to sit, think and enjoy the beauty of Virginia Tech. Weddings and other services are offered to people affiliated with Virginia Tech.

 Ut prosim, or ‘that I may serve,’ is the motto of Virginia Tech. Every time students and alumni pass this Ut Prosim Pylon, they are reminded of the spirit of service that Virginia Tech represents.

The family-oriented atmosphere of Virginia Tech makes all those who visit feel like they are truly at home.