Coach Kevin Kiesel, head football coach and a practicing Catholic, asked Chris Shaw, a student pastor from Lawndale Baptist Church, to provide a chapel service at Guilford College for the Fighting Quakers every Sunday at 3 p.m.
On Sundays, the team meets to watch footage of the previous day’s game. Afterward they have a chapel service in the Leek Room with most of the team and coaches present. Attendance is not mandatory, but strongly encouraged.
“It’s something we started during football camp and we’ve just carried it through,” said Coach Kiesel.
Shaw is sensitive to the fact that players may come from different backgrounds. “We want to provide an environment to help them make decisions from a spiritual base,” said Shaw.
The pastor speaks on many subjects, but with one central idea in mind. “I share with them on their relationship with God and on their relationship with other people. Basically God’s plan for their life,” said Shaw.
Assistant Coach Lamar Carter points out that because of practice and their course load it is difficult for players to find the time to go to religious services or church functions during the week.
“[It’s] hard because of busy schedules they can’t find church time. Us offering it gives them a way to have an opportunity for fellowship,” said Coach Carter.
Many of the players take the opportunity for fellowship. The football team has about 60 players and the head count at the last Sunday chapel service was 50 as reported by Shaw.
“I think it’s a nice way to involve God as far as the team aspect goes,” said junior wide-receiver Micah Rushing.
There are non-athletes on campus that don’t have a problem with the chapel time as long as it remains voluntary.
“From what I know many of them grew up in Christian homes,” said senior Chavonne Trevillion. “I think having a time to worship as a team is a good way to incorporate religion into their lives, but I think it’s important that it be optional.”
“If any of the players have a problem they can surely take it up with the coach or spearhead it themselves,” said sophomore Michael Iglesia.
Some faculty members were hesitant to respond to the issue, but faculty member and Head of Campus Ministries Max Carter was eager to weigh in.
“I have no problem with the team having a time of prayer or worship as a team-building experience or in an effort to encourage whole, healthful living as individuals,” said Carter. “I do have concerns if team members feel coerced into attending worship services if those services are proselytizing in nature.”
Players often spend more time with their coaches and teammates than they do their professors or family, and in doing so coaches take on more accountability