A few minutes before North Park’s student-athletes go out on the field or court to play, they engage in team prayer. Together with their coaches, teammates, and athletics staff, they come together to express their faith. These quiet moments spent together provide our athletes with a sense of community and grounding.
“Our program philosophy is TheRightWay, defined by two tenets: ‘Live by the Golden Rule’—do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Luke 6:31); and ‘Do Your Job,’” said head football coach Kyle Rooker.
Under the leadership of Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Sport Management John Born, North Park’s Athletics Department has not only had one of its most successful years in history, but it has also flourished as a model of how North Park students engage with their faith in all aspects of their education, from the classroom to the court.
“…We want everyone within our program to feel love and connection. Love from each other, love from the staff, and love from Christ.” —Emma Woodley C’15 G’17, head women’s soccer coach
“As I watch our teams engage in mission trips, service projects, team prayer, and other expressions of faith, I am excited about how North Park’s Christian distinctive is exemplified in our student-athletes and the entire athletic department,” said Born.
“Our goal is to develop young men who will turn into faithful fathers, loving husbands, and great community members, wherever the Lord calls them after their time at North Park. This is manifested in multiple ways in our program. One of our favorite ways is our pregame prayers when our guys all get time to reflect and thank the Lord for the opportunity to play the game they love at a high level,” said Sean Smith, head men’s basketball coach.
North Park’s athletics roster, like its student body, is diverse, with young people from across the country, representing various races, religions, and creeds, who all come together for the love of their sport and learn from one another.
“We have a strong Christian faith movement in our Viking student-athletes and coaches. This is exciting and inspiring because among this group are always such great leaders and influencers,” said President Surridge.
“I am beyond humbled and grateful to be named the National Coach of the Year, I consider this a staff award and I would not be in this position without (fellow coaches) Ed McGhee, Lou Griffith, and Mark Smith.” —Coach Sean Smith
“What has been great about North Park is the opportunity to talk to students from different walks of life,” said Bisrat Kidane, head track and field coach. “North Park has fostered an amazing community that allows students to be open about their faith and understand their perspectives from different cultural backgrounds. For our team, we do this by doing team Bible studies and praying together after or before a practice. After each team meeting, I say to the entire team, “you are loved.’ I say this because the love of Christ is a central element of Christian belief. It also reaffirms some encouragement to these young people that they are not alone in this journey we call life.”
Head Women’s Soccer Coach Emma Woodley said, “Our team’s mission, values, and principles are all established with the Christian distinctive in mind. Even though everyone comes from different walks of life, we want everyone within our program to feel love and connection. Love from each other, love from the staff, and love from Christ.”
