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YOUNGSTOWN -- With the message of being a leader and helping others, Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel explained the importance of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has in his life and the lives of many athletes he has coached.
Tressel was the keynote speaker at the recent "Fully Vested" virtual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Steel Valley chapter fundraiser.
"The FCA was there for me and for many of the athletes I have coached. Times are difficult. Here we have been in COVID-19 and facing challenges and the FCA has been there during the tough times," he said.
He said the FCA has provided the opportunity for athletes, coaches, students and others to follow Christ in their daily lives. He said the FCA allows athletes and coaches to enjoy fellowship and spend time in prayer.
"If you want to win the game of life, we all can win. If we ask Jesus into our hearts, we will all win," Tressel said.
He said when he was in high school, an FCA chapter held meetings that he and other athletes attended. Tressel said Baldwin Wallace College had a chapter when he went there.
"Every place I have ever coached, we have always had that opportunity for our young people to be involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The program allows the youth to help others who have great needs. Leadership is action," Tressel said.
He said one of the greatest leaders in his own life was his mother.
"She did not have a title or a paycheck, but she spent every single day serving others in our family and in our community. She would help anyone who needed it. She was always there to serve and is one of the greatest leaders I have ever been around," Tressel said.
He said everyone should remember each of us needs to seek to serve others.
"By doing this, each one of us has the chance to have an impact on someone," he said.
Tressel said he wishes he could contact all the people who made a difference in his life. He said many players and others in his life wanted to live with a Christian direction.
"We wanted to provide them with a Christian influence and provide opportunities for them to be the best they could be morally and spiritually in their Christian walk. The players and coaches always felt how blessed they were to be able to play the game of football in college," he said.
Tressel encouraged people to face difficult situations that help them to be the best person they can be.
"In these challenging times, the young people are looking to be connected with the right things," he said.
At the event, Alex Lagaras, a junior at YSU, was the recipient of the February Student Athlete of the Month as a two-time letterman in cross country and track and carrying a 3.75 GPA. Lagaras leads the FCA Huddle that meets weekly at YSU.
He also is involved in Victory Christian Church in Warren as a member of the worship team and helping lead the youth group.
"Jim Tressel scored a touchdown with his speech. He is an awesome coach, speaker and motivator," Don James, FCA Steel Valley director, said.
Four local churches hosted the event: New Life Church in Poland, Common Ground / Connecting Life Church in North Lima, Abundant Life Fellowship in New Waterford and Jericho Center in Cortland.
James said the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Steel Valley works with coaches and athletes in Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Jefferson counties and sponsors huddles at local schools, camps, coaches Bible studies, and other events throughout the year.