The ISU football staff is considering adding a full time team chaplain to deal with general "issues" associated with young athletes. Seems like a great idea. Wish I had one where I work as I supervise people with many outside of work "issues". If anyone questions this idea, keep this in mind. D-1 college athletes come from diverse cultural backgrounds with major big city issues, unlike what we mainstream Iowans deal with most of our lives.
ISU Football
- Thread starter acody
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That's a really interesting idea. As you mention, the athletes come from diverse cultural background - a chaplain is generally Christian, aren't they? I wonder if it would be more a mentor/confidante, or religious leader?
That actually leads to another question - since it's a state school, would we have to have religious leaders for any requested sects, if it is a religiously-based role?
That actually leads to another question - since it's a state school, would we have to have religious leaders for any requested sects, if it is a religiously-based role?
Being in the Army and having dealt with a number of chaplains and just pastors in my regular civilian life, I have to say I think this is a great idea. The issue of different faiths and different denominations would be a problem though. Its great to have someone that you know you can go to talk to about your problems though, knowing that your superiors or in this case, the coaches, aren't going to find out if you don't want them to.
So long as no one was 'required' to see them I'm all for it. I could see how many people would really enjoy having one around.
A chaplain's a great idea: The concept behind a chaplain is religion non-specific; for folks not of the chaplain's faith, he can always "dial-a-rabbiormullah".
On the advice issue; unless one of your players worships Deveel or Cthuluh, most of the major religions hold to similar principles.
On the advice issue; unless one of your players worships Deveel or Cthuluh, most of the major religions hold to similar principles.
I actually was at an FCA meeting this past Sunday eve where GC spoke of this very issue. It is an amazing idea, in fact he became passionate about the idea while DC'ing at Auburn. He discussed the Chaplain was an integral part of the programs success and helped the young men deal with life challenges.
GC mentioned that they have had challenges since stepping foot on campus with player personal issues that they wish they were better equipped to deal with. The Chaplain that they are hoping to hire(through private donations) spoke and is a solid football guy that was a hot strength coach that was called to ministry.
This has been approved by Pollard and is merely in the $$$ phase. Should be a great thing until someone is offended.
j
GC mentioned that they have had challenges since stepping foot on campus with player personal issues that they wish they were better equipped to deal with. The Chaplain that they are hoping to hire(through private donations) spoke and is a solid football guy that was a hot strength coach that was called to ministry.
This has been approved by Pollard and is merely in the $$$ phase. Should be a great thing until someone is offended.
j
Lots of schools have chaplains for their football teams, and you rarely hear complaints about it. The only real complaint that someone could make is that the chaplain is a "government" employee. But if the funding is done all through private donations, then that argument wouldn't hold much water. I like seeing that Chizik has a plan to care for his players and build a team with some character. I hope they get the funding they need for this!
Fantastic idea. I'd donate for that. I don't see it being a problem with different faiths either. The overall principles of most religions are similar, and a good spiritual leader would recognize the need to deal with each individual in a unique way. I have a feeling that the Register wouldn't like it, which makes it an even better idea.
Ok. What type of training would you need to hold this position? I do not think we need a psychologist, or a psychiatrist for gosh sakes. That type of person can be a can of worms, and scares the bejeebers out of both of me. Seriously, if a young person is devoutly religious (in a specific religion) then he probably doesn't need a chaplain, and doesn't really care what religion this person represents. There are many places of worship in Ames. Having a person that they can go to talk to in confidence is a great idea, an athlete in Ames is in a fishbowl, for sure. This would also be a great recruiting tool, I would let the world know that this chaplain exists, this person would be a great boon to public relations, if the right individual is hired.
I know Mac had something similar. Pastor David Staff from the Ames Evangelical Free Church has been involved with the football team for a number of years. I went to church there many years ago and occassionally he would talk about his involvement with the team. I think he traveled with the team to all the games and was just generally available. I am guessing that was all volunteer. Mac did mention Pastor Staff's name during his resignation speech.
I think it is a great idea. 18-22 year old men need someone they can talk to and trust.
I think it is a great idea. 18-22 year old men need someone they can talk to and trust.
I'd have to say that the idea of having a "chaplain" bothers me some. I think that a counselor would be a great idea. However, as a public institution, not affiliated with an particular faith, I think that having someone with a religious background is questionable.
I would be afraid of the possibility of alienating members of the football team who practice a non-christian religion, or no religion at all. You don't want to have a member of the staff that can put a divide in team chemistry.
I'd love to hear in exactly what capacity this individual would be associated with the team. I definitely like the idea of a counselor.
I would be afraid of the possibility of alienating members of the football team who practice a non-christian religion, or no religion at all. You don't want to have a member of the staff that can put a divide in team chemistry.
I'd love to hear in exactly what capacity this individual would be associated with the team. I definitely like the idea of a counselor.
From some of the comments Gene has made his faith seems to be very important to him. I am all in favor!
I think its a great idea. And useing a "non denominational pastor" will keep from alienating players of differend faiths. The team does not need more counselers there are counselors all over campus. This is also going to be funded by private donation, so it does not matter that ISU is public insititution.
"However, as a public institution, not affiliated with an particular faith, I think that having someone with a religious background is questionable."
Whitey - I am curious....are you concerned because this person with a "religous background" has one, or are you concerned because this persons religious background is not the same as yours?
I think it is a great idea....good for the kids and the health of the program. I hope it gets done.
"However, as a public institution, not affiliated with an particular faith, I think that having someone with a religious background is questionable."
Whitey - I am curious....are you concerned because this person with a "religous background" has one, or are you concerned because this persons religious background is not the same as yours?
I think it is a great idea....good for the kids and the health of the program. I hope it gets done.
RedStorm,
I could care less what his faith is. I just don't think that should be the basis by which he, or she, gives their advice. I don't think, by listening to the advice, you should be able to know whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist.
If, much like the American demographic, the vast majority of players are Christian, then would they decide to have a bible discussion group? Wouldn't that make the few who practice other faiths feel a little excluded?
I guess that I've always been of the opinion that religion should be an individual experience of faith. If faith is that big a part of a students life, they probably have a pastor, priest or rabbi that they can turn to already.
I could care less what his faith is. I just don't think that should be the basis by which he, or she, gives their advice. I don't think, by listening to the advice, you should be able to know whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist.
If, much like the American demographic, the vast majority of players are Christian, then would they decide to have a bible discussion group? Wouldn't that make the few who practice other faiths feel a little excluded?
I guess that I've always been of the opinion that religion should be an individual experience of faith. If faith is that big a part of a students life, they probably have a pastor, priest or rabbi that they can turn to already.
Gary is correct. We have had a Chaplin with the team for as long as I was around them. (98-03) Every Pro team that I know of also has a Chaplin. It is really the coaches doing and he can have a person there as long as the University is not using "public" funds to pay him. (prevent outcry) You have to have some faith in our head coach and believe that no one will feel alienated by the Chaplin he chooses. If they are alienated this may be another tool in the box to determine the type of player that coach wants. Not saying he would use it as such, but it could show some player's character traits.