FCA carefully bridges divide between church and state
By Lynn Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITER

James River High School football players (front row from left) Bryan Rose, Adam Rice, John Nance, Adam Teachey, Hap Brecht and Jeffrey Edwards share a moment of prayer.

In a country where prayer in schools is illegal and the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance are scoffed at by some who monitor the separation between church and state, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a direct contrast to the current political tide.

And yet, despite the occasional outcry over anything deemed "religious" in public schools these days, this faith-based student organization that demonstrates a "steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence" is found in every high school in Chesterfield and 32 high schools regionally. While exact membership numbers in Chesterfield are unknown, Southside FCA Director Lennie Nugent said, "It's safe to say that number is in the thousands in Chesterfield County."

The FCA is not just a county phenomenon. Nationally, there are more than 7,000 FCA groups, also called "huddles," at the middle, high and college levels. More than 100,000 students have claimed membership since the group's founding in 1954.

Charter members have included baseball owner Branch Rickey, Otto Graham, Carl Erskine and Don Moomaw. More recent high profile members include Tom Landry, Roger Staubach, Kay Yow, Steve Largent, Tony Dungy, Bobby and Tommy Bowden, Mike Singletary and Shaun Alexander. Gary Cuozzo, former University of Virginia quarterback and 10-year NFLveteran, has been active in the organization for more than 40 years. Les Steckel, the FCA's president and chief executive officer, played or coached for eight NFLteams, including a stint as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

Nugent admits the controversy over religion in schools "is a very sensitive area," but stresses the FCA is extremely careful to follow federal and state laws regarding school clubs. Equal access laws give the FCA the right to function on public school property.

"If there is any other kind of non-curriculum club [active on school property], then the FCA must be allowed to be there," explained Nugent.

Although the club's emphasis is certainly on recruiting athletes at all levels of participation, huddles are open to everyone regardless of whether they're male or female, athlete or non-athlete.

"We work with the athletes, because we feel the other kids will follow their lead," explained Nugent.

FCA's program is also aimed at coaches. Around 75 local coaches attended the Second Annual FCA Coaches Luncheon in August.

Although the FCA and sports teams in schools are totally separate programs, coaches can play an important role in granting player access.

"It's important to find out what the individual coach is comfortable with," said Nugent.

One of Nugent's initial icebreakers is to simply show up on a given practice day each week and hand out cold watermelon to the players at the end of practice.

"I have to build trust with the coaches, learn what they want me to do and, as trust builds, I'm usually allowed to do more," he said.

FCA employees are available to lead a team in a pre-game prayer, conduct daily secular devotions, counsel players or just stand on the sidelines to lend support during practices.

The formation of a new huddle must be initiated by students. There is no set agenda for huddle meetings, but the FCA "playbook" suggests guest speakers, games, community service projects and regular business matters. With an emphasis on the FCA's "One Way to Play" program, which promotes abstinence from drugs and alcohol in both sports and life, guest speakers usually cover topics involving the challenges of growing up.

As one of only four full-time, paid employees in the FCA's Central Region, Nugent is passionate about his calling. "I believe our children are being destroyed," he related, citing negative influences students are faced with on a daily basis. He says the FCA's mission is to "provide a light. I'm not here on serious business; I'm here on deadly serious business."