Golf, soccer and cross country are not the kind of sports that draw crowds to the front of a TV screen, but Disciples' college students are excelling at them nonetheless. While much of the buzz among Disciples college sports fans last fall centered on the Texas Christian University football team, who finished the season 12-1 and ranked 6th nationally in Division I, there were other athletes who excelled at the 17 colleges and universities affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
One example is the Barton College men's golf team. Following up on last season's success, Barton's golf team returns eight members of a squad that ranked in the top 20 of Division II schools at the end of play in 2008-2009. After an impressive fall outing, Barton is now rated 6th in the nation going into spring golf competition.
"I have an outstanding golf team here at Barton College," said John Hackney, head coach of the men's golf team. "We were one of the country's best last year and had a tremendous start to our 2009-2010 season this past fall." Barton has had phenomenal success during Hackney's 13 seasons as head coach.
From 2000 to 2009, Barton's golf team has played in 10 consecutive NCAA Division II regional tournaments. Under Hackney's guidance, Barton has seized 36 team championships and 25 medalist awards. The college has been nationally ranked in the top 25 for eight of the past 10 seasons, rising as high as number 5 in the country in the fall of 2002. The golf team also has represented Barton at the NCAA Division II National Championships in three of the last seven seasons.
Transylvania University's men's soccer team reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Championships this past fall for the first time in the school's history. The squad finished the season with a record of 16-3-3. It was the fifth time in six years that Transylvania had advanced to the NCAA Championship field and the second time in three seasons to the Sweet 16.
Senior goal-keeper Trey Kramer, of Woodford County, Ky., and Kevin Jones, a native of Middletown, Ohio, were both selected to the All-Region third team. Previously, they were among six Pioneers selected to the All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference first team. Kramer allowed only nine goals on the season and just one in conference play. Jones, a junior back, anchored a defense that posted 11 shutouts.
Lynchburg College's cross country team is led by a national champion. Ricky Flynn won the title at the 2009 NCAA Division III Men's Cross Country National Championship in Cleveland, Ohio. Flynn became Lynchburg's first-ever cross country national champion. He finished the national championship meet in 25:09 and ahead of the second-place runner by 23 seconds. That margin of victory is the second largest ever in the history of the national championship meet and only six seconds behind the record. His efforts this past season resulted in Flynn being named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Associations Division III Cross Country National Athlete of the Year. In addition, the long distance runner became just the 12th person in Lynchburg College history to win a national championship. Although Flynn only ran in five meets over the season, he won four of them. He concluded his cross country career at Lynchburg as a two-time All-American, a three-time Old Dominion Athletic Conference champion, and a four-time All-South/Southeast Region honoree.
Two Disciples students at Chapman University have chosen to balance their commitment to athletics with their witness for Christ. Alicia Fraticelli, a junior on Chapman's soccer team, enjoys being involved with sports and campus ministries at the same time. She is involved with community service activities, helps with Founders Day and attends Spring Retreat. "I love both programs. Balancing the two commitments keeps me busy but happy!" said Fraticelli, whose soccer team finished the season a respectable 12-7.
Jonathan Orr, a linebacker on Chapman's football team, is one of the leaders of Bible devotion among his teammates before each game. "I felt led to show my faith in my sport because in a secular world and at a secular school, being a light for God is one of the many ways that I can follow God and the plan he has given me," said Orr, who also is involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which is new to Chapman this school year.
All 17 undergraduate institutions field athletic teams, competing at all levels - including the small-school NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and all three divisions of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).
By James Patterson