(Monterrey, Mexico) Five members of the Cardinal Football program—Sam Shick, Kaleb Pohlman, Ashtin Napolitano, John Rodriguez, and Graduate Assistant Coach Jonathan Coddington had the opportunity to represent Concordia and the United States last month for the 2016 World University Championships. The team, organized by Athletes in Action (AIA), was a perfect display of CUAA's mission combining the sport of football with the chance for players to grow in faith and spread the Gospel.
Since 1966, AIA has used sports as a platform to help student-athletes answer question of faith. Concordia has had ties with the organization for a number years with the parallels in mission. Former CUAA Volleyball player and alumnus Ashley (Hart) Warner currently works in full-time ministry with AIA and reached out to Coach Pries early on ensuring Concordia could be a part of the team. With AIA organizing the trip, they were able to make Christ the center even as they competed with squads from other countries who had different backgrounds.
"The trip led to a lot of spiritual growth for myself and the other players," Coddington said. "Having the opportunity to grow with a team and witness to fellow athletes from other countries was once-in-a-lifetime."
Team USA first gathered for a week of training camp in Xenia, Ohio on the campus of Athletes in Action. The players bonded through football, but were also quick to come together spiritually. By the time training camp was completed, 8 student-athletes had been baptized into faith.
The red, white, and blue then flew to Monterrey, Mexico and the campus of Technologico de Monterrey where they played 4 games in 8 days. Team USA defeated China (55-0), Japan (22-14), and Guatemala (61-0) before falling to host Mexico (7-35). When they weren't competing, the team was still together for practice, meetings, and devotions throughout the day. Outside of football, the players toured Monterrey and even spent one day with Back2Back Ministries—an organization that helps orphans. The players went to an orphanage and had the opportunity to play, eat, and worship with the children for the day.
Kaleb Pohlman (right) interacts with children at Back2Back Ministries
Coddington was proud of the focus and energy from the players, "The whole experience was a team effort. Jumping right into a serious practice schedule and then to four games in a short period is not an easy task. I'm proud of the way the guys handled themselves and still found energy to interact with each other and work with the kids at Back2Back."
The Cardinals return to the states where they continue preparation for the upcoming year. The team is set to begin training camp in early August before kicking off at Saint Ambrose University on September 3rd in their season opener.
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