women's basketball already had the #NCAAD2 WBB record for consecutive wins overall (), and now the program has the new standard for most road victories in a row ()!
— Ashland University Athletics (@ashlandeagles_) January 6, 2024
Let all that you do be done in love.~1 Corinthians 16:14
Source: Sports Spectrum
To learn more about Pickens’ and the Lady Eagles foundation, click here for an article in the Times-Gazette.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your [a]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.~Philippians 4:4-7
Source: Sports Spectrum
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.~Proverbs 27:17
The Coach’s Prayer
Lord, when I pick up the whistle, lace up my shoes and walk out of the locker room, I coach for You alone. There is no turning back. In every victory and every defeat, I celebrate Your goodness and greatness. The way I coach demonstrates my love for You. I stand for the cross and declare my loyalty to You. I coach for You.
My energy and enthusiasm come from the Holy Spirit. My purpose and passion come from above. Through the strain and struggle, I never give up or give in. The champion inside of me is Jesus who gives me strength. Winning is honoring You in all I do. I coach for You.
When I coach, I feel Your pleasure. My heart longs for Your applause alone. All of my abilities are from You. I am under Your authority as my Ultimate Coach. I will respect and honor all competitors, coaches, and officials. I compete by all of the rules. I coach for You.
My coaching is my offering to my Savior. I am Your warrior in the heat of battle. I am humble in victory and gracious in defeat. I coach to serve You, my athletes, and our opponents. My words bring healing and refreshment that inspire and motivate. I speak words of life. I coach for You.
Success isn’t a winning program, but seeing the power of Christ transform the lives of my athletes. Victory is not the scoreboard, but for my athletes to become more like You. Bless my athletes in great ways and increase their faith and confidence. I coach for You.
In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.*
Smith’s book, When Coaches Pray, can be ordered here, and the Coach’s Prayer was written by the FCA.
*In the time since this story was originally written, the Women’s Football Alliance has developed into an international powerhouse for women’s professional football with a professional division, lower divisions and a developmental division for women. It has also increased sponsorship, gained television contracts, and now plays its Championship game in Canton, Ohio at the Football… Continue reading #TBT: If She Was A Boy, Part II