While talk of college football is always in the air in Alabama, the rest of the country joined the conversation Feb. 6 as recruiting season reached its apex with the top high school football players declaring their collegiate loyalties on National Signing Day.
For colleges, recruiting those players has become more competitive in recent years and involves “selling” a vision of what their program can offer. But some recruits are now looking at more than just a school’s athletic tradition, coaching staff or training facilities.
Christian recruits are looking for such things as strong Christian examples on the coaching staff and the team, an active Baptist Campus Ministry, strong college groups at local churches and an active Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Experience has shown Gary Cramer, FCA director at the University of Alabama, that a strong FCA and other evidence of a strong Christian atmosphere on campus do factor into the decision to attend a particular school.
FCA and other Christian groups offer what Cramer said is a “safe place” to address the different issues and questions that come into play as a college student. “For many, it is the first time they have had to integrate their faith with real-life decisions that no one else can make for them,” he said. “[A Christian group] provides a guide for truth in a world that propels (them toward) false values and cheap pleasure.”
Cramer added involvement in these groups also provides accountability and encouragement for those who want to please God.
Like the recruits, their parents want to know about the Christian atmosphere of potential colleges.
Lisa Lindsey, a member of CrossRoad Baptist Church, Hueytown, in Mud Creek Baptist Association, and her husband have visited colleges their son Jake considered to learn about available ministries.
“At [Jake’s] visit to West Alabama, we were encouraged to see that the Baptist ministry is very prominent on campus,” she said, adding that he eventually decided on the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which wouldn’t take him away from home. “[B]ut for any college choice away from home, we encouraged him to look at places with a strong emphasis on Christian values.”
It was something that Jake said he took to heart when visiting schools.
“I feel more comfortable around Christian people who like the stuff that I like and don’t have to resort to ungodly things to have a good time and enjoy life,” he said.
His pastor has preached before on how college-age and young married Christians often leave the church.
“I will always encourage Jake [to] have fellowship with other Christians regardless of where he attends school and plays,” Lisa Lindsey said.
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