UnpreparedSports leaders are often unprepared to handle the all-consuming, volatile nature of careers in this field characterized by frequent hiring and firing. In addition, sports professionals are allowing the all-consuming nature of their careers to define them and inappropriately aligning their love for sports with God's heart. |
The Harvest is PlentySports leaders are often under utilizing & even abusing the most influential and resource abundant industry in our world. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required.” Luke 12:48 |
Year Round CommitmentsYear round commitments to their teams make it difficult for future leaders of sport to engage in typical service projects and other developmental opportunities. |
Future Leaders of Sport.
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MOAM believes student managers are the future leaders of one of the most influential and popular industries of our country, and world.
It is becoming increasingly common for the leaders of athletics to begin their careers as student managers because of the networking opportunities these positions create and important first-step student managers have already made through simply ‘getting their foot in the door’. |
The Power of the Sports.
Sports are becoming the most popular industry in the United States. Plunkett Research estimated the entire American sports industry to be valued at 435 billion dollars in 2012 (Plunkett Research, 2012). Sports create a very powerful and influential platform for coaches, athletes, and staff. Managers on a Mission prepares and equips these individuals to be focused on maximizing the utilization of this platform and striving for a life of real significance.
A Firm Foundation.
The following characteristics make it essential for future sports professionals to be firmly grounded in their values and identity in Christ:
- The all-consuming nature of athletics makes it very easy for coaches to lose focus on what truly is important in their lives as their identity is continuously evaluated through their salary, wins and losses, in addition to the number of hours they spend working.
- Careers in sports are very volatile with frequent firing and hiring. USA Today found only 34% of head coaches across all four major professional sports leagues (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) to have been in their positions for 3 years or more (USA Today, 2012).
Providing The Opportunity.
It is very difficult to connect a college student to a mission trip because of the costs and a perceived lack of value undergraduates students often believe the experience will offer. It is even more difficult for student managers to go on mission trips because most “Alternative Break Trips” occur during winter break and spring break when the managers must remain working with their program. It is also difficult for them to participate in any study abroad experience because of the year-round commitment their positions require. It is extremely important to connect these individuals with this life changing opportunity to broaden their worldview while it is still feasible for them to leave home for this extended period of time. Recent studies have found only 30% of American citizens possess a passport, with 50% of international travel going to either Mexico or Canada (CNN, 2011).
Valuable Assets.
MOAM believes successful student managers are often very hard working, self-motivated and well-rounded individuals because of the various responsibilities and commitments of their demanding position. All of which are characteristics that make them extremely valuable to service projects and mission trips.
MOAM believes successful student managers are often very hard working, self-motivated and well-rounded individuals because of the various responsibilities and commitments of their demanding position. All of which are characteristics that make them extremely valuable to service projects and mission trips.
MOAM believes successful student managers are often very hard working, self-motivated and well-rounded individuals because of the various responsibilities and commitments of their demanding position. All of which are characteristics that make them extremely valuable to service projects and mission trips.
An Example Of Success.
During Drew Boe’s, MOAM's founder, first ever mission trip, the children greatly valued and appreciated the support generously provided through Drew’s personal ‘sports network’. Today, MOAM provides over 1,000 pounds of sports gear/year to our partners in Africa distributed during our annual sports camps.
Virginia Tech’s Athletic Department - A supply of sunglasses.
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Herma’s Readers (established by Virginia Tech Men's Football Head Coach, Frank Beamer) - The villages first supply of chapter books.
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Tubby Smith (High Point Men’s Basketball Head Coach) - Approximately 70 t-shirts that were left over after his annual summer camps.
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