Coaches Pat Aiello and Jim O'Dea of Pinecrest Academy Lacrosse in Cumming, GA started two new traditions at the Varsity Level this week.
Being that SportsLeader is for coaches by coaches, after 12 years we have learned so many different ways to integrate our faith into coaching. Sharing them and helping other coaches do the same is one of our favorite parts of our mission.
Maybe you have some great traditions you would like to share.
Building The Fortress
As a team including the coaches, we gather before the game and "bring it in really tight" with the coaches in the middle, this is our fortress, our arms of protection around each other as a family. During this time, we recite the St. Patrick breastplate prayer:
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Coach's Prayer
During stretches/warmups, one of the coaches, (in our case the head coach has volunteered for this), should go to each student athlete while holding a crucifix and pray with them for whatever intention the student asks for. This is a great way for the coach to serve the player spiritually as well as create a strong bond with the player in faith.
You simply approach each athlete and ask them, "What would you like me to pray for - for you right now?"
And then pray for and with them.
As I spoke with Coach Aiello, he told me, "that was one of the most powerful and inspiring things I've ever done as a coach. I will always do it before every game from now on."
What a tremendous memory and what an inspiration for all of those athletes to see their coach living his faith because he loves it.