For many student-athletes at Washburn, balancing practices, games, classes and personal life can be overwhelming. But every Wednesday night, a group of Ichabods gathers for something that grounds them beyond sports and academics. Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is a faith-based organization that gives Washburn athletes a place to connect through their shared love of both sports and Christ.
Taylor Rottinghaus, senior year volleyball player majoring in mass media PR and advertising, explained that the weekly meetings have given her a sense of community she didn’t expect.
“It’s very interesting to see all the different groups come together and speak at the end,” Rottinghaus said. “Everybody has very similar thoughts and ideas, and as athletes who are also followers in Christ as well, and put him above everyone else. It’s awesome. Their words are my words … coming out of their mouth.”
FCA is more than just a Bible study for athletes. For many, it’s a much-needed midweek reset.
“Honestly, I don’t know if it’s simply because it’s on a Wednesday or what, but it is a great move until break for me as an athlete,” Rottinghaus said. “I don’t have to put a lot of thought into it, because it just hits so close to home and it’s something I want to be doing. So it’s not homework, and it’s not the things that you have you dread to do [like studying] but instead, it’s something I get to look forward to taking my mind away from athletics and from school and instead just relaxing and being with everyone else.”
Lois Deeter, junior marketing major and member of the women’s golf team, expressed that FCA has become a safe space and a second family.
“My favorite part about FCA is just the community,” Deeter said. “Everyone’s so uplifting to each other and we all have each other’s backs. You know that the community surrounding you is always good and always there for you.” ”
Deeter explained what makes FCA unique is the bond athletes share through both faith and teamwork.
“A lot of us have a team mentality,” Deeter said. “We work through all the temptations in life as a team. We work with God too and use his word through it all, but we have a great support system.”
That teamwork extends to managing the challenges of being a student-athlete.
“Being an athlete is hard… I think just bringing student athletes in here and being present with the time with the Lord gives them peace throughout their daily lives. So with all the meetings and everything that a student athlete has to do, if they have to go make money because they have to pay the rest of their school or make rent, they will find peace throughout the day” Deeter said. “…they know their purpose is to glorify God in their athletics and at work, but coming to FCA is their time with the Lord to grow that faith with him in that relationship, to keep that peace and love all the time.”
Justin Lewis, graduate business major and football player, mentioned that FCA helps athletes stay grounded and remember what truly matters to them.
“Whether you fail, whether you lose, fail, a test, whatever it may be, just understand that Christ remains the same,” Lewis said. “I think that’s something that’s really helped me, is just understanding that and knowing that no matter what happens, that he’s always the same, and that I know that he’ll always love me. He’ll always, you know, never change.”
Lewis said the fellowship and diversity of stories shared each week are what keep him returning.
“I love meeting new people and hearing different testimonies,” Lewis said. “I think that’s the best part. Is just being able to hear different perspectives of how people have found Christ perfect.”
FCA’s unique quality at Washburn is the passion students bring.
“You can genuinely see it in everybody’s words and the way they look. And they [like] everybody just seeking knowledge,” Rottinghaus said. “We’re all going through the same hardships, and FCA makes Washburn feel like home.”
With students gathering weekly to share their faith, struggles and victories, FCA has quickly become a staple of campus life for athletes looking for community and strength in their walk with Christ. Meetings are every Wednesday in the Petro Allied Health Center room 220 at 8 p.m., and is welcome to all athletes looking for a community for their faith.
Edited by Bidhya Sapkota and Anson Appelhanz
