Kuyper Hosts First-Ever Faith and Sports Experience Day

A core principle of life at Kuyper College is the belief that faith applies to everything, including sports, said Professor Marc Andreas.

“We at Kuyper think that faith and sports – faith and everything, really – should be integrated,” added Kuyper’s associate professor of business leadership and the program’s director.

Andreas, who also oversees the College’s sports management program, spoke to attendees of the inaugural Faith and Sports Experience Day—designed to give prospective students a preview of life as a Kuyper student athlete—in late February.

After a visit to Andreas’ Business Law class, guests joined the Kuyper community for a service in the Vos Chapel, followed by a panel discussion with local professionals from a wide variety of areas within the world of sports. They answered questions from the audience and offered words of wisdom for those seeking a sports-centered career.

Eric Taylor, dean of student life and head varsity boys’ basketball coach at Grand Rapids Christian High School, and David Kool, athletic director at South Christian High School, both spoke about the transformative power of sports in the lives of athletes and officials.

“Growing up in a home without a father, the mentorship and guidance I received through sports was my main motivator. Now I get to be that for the young men I work with,” said Taylor.

“The valuable lessons that sports can teach you, both as a kid competing and as an adult officiating or administrating can carry you in life,” Kool echoed.

Stefanie Jones shared her experience as one of few female Division I college football officials and highlighted the faith-building potential of healthy competition.

“Its okay to compete and want to win, even as Christians,” she said. “Sports can teach you to live your principles and treat others as God would want you too, even when it’s not easy.”

Steve McCarthy, President of the West Michigan Whitecaps, reflected on the communal and spiritual value of his industry.

“It encourages recreation, leisure, and social time, and it’s pretty easy to see how those things translate into faith – Christians are called to gather as community. It’s not all about the wins and losses,” he said.

Threaded throughout the conversation was the sense that honoring God and sharing the Gospel is possible in all kinds of sports-centered careers.

The day’s events wrapped up with lunch in the Walters Dining Room.