FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- May 28, 2003
CONTACT: Jason Mucher,
Sports Information Director (585) 567-9559
USING BASKETBALL TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS:
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TRAVEL TO RUSSIA WITH HOUGHTON COACHES
HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Though most of his sports ministry trips have involved his own
college teams, this spring Houghton College women’s basketball coach Skip
Lord led 16 high school girls to Russia to play a series of basketball games,
conduct clinics, and assist in Christian outreach efforts in the city of
Vladimir.
It was a whirlwind 12 days
for the players, who had little time for sightseeing as they played seven games
in cities throughout the region. “The girls were tired,” said Lord. “You
have the time change, a different culture, then you hit the ground with two
games and a clinic that first day. It was 8 a.m. to midnight most days. It was
a demanding pace they followed, but I was impressed that they were able to keep
going.”
Prior to the
trip, Lord faced concerns over SARS and terrorism, but those were non-issues
during their journey. “We had parents who were concerned, and rightly so,”
said Lord. “But I appreciate their trust that we were looking into everything
to make it as safe as possible.
“In reality our biggest
issues with this group of girls were: being away from home, being on an
airplane for the first time, and being out of the country for the first
time.”
 The team recorded a 4-3
record against college- and club-level competition, but, as with all trips
he’s led, Lord was quick to point out that the results on the court meant
less than what happened after each game. “We would have meals with the teams
we played against after each game. It’s a chance to share and talk. I think
our kids benefit from that as well,” said Lord.
Building relationships
flows from the three main goals Lord has for sports ministry: to help the
efforts of the local missionaries, to make a difference in the lives of the
people they work with, and to see growth among his own players and coaches.
“It fits into the sports
ministry program at the college,” said Lord, who will lead his college team
back to the Czech Republic for the sixth time in June. “We are working with
and for the missionaries and helping with their ministry to the people there.
But we also hope to have an impact on these kids, in terms of spirituality and
personal growth. This is perhaps something these kids will never do again.
It’s a great opportunity, culturally, socially, and educationally. You
can’t duplicate that value.”
The team conducted clinics
prior to each game. “The [Russian] coaches and players wanted teaching. There
is a high interest in basketball,” said Lord. “It’s not as high as
soccer, yet, but the fact that they’re requesting teaching attests to their
interest in learning more about the game and improving.”
Lord was also able to
reconnect with several people he had met a year ago, when he led a similar trip
for a boys’ team. “I’m a relational coach. With these repeat trips, you
have the chance to build on these relationships on a deeper level,” said
Lord. “From a spiritual perspective, some of these people we meet are not
going to be as quick to respond. So as we keep going over there, we build on
those relationships. The difference from one year to the next is amazing.”
Part of the thrill of the
trip was the fact that most of the teams they played had never competed against
an American team before. This brought out scores of fans and even television
stations to cover the competitions. “I’m a small college coach,” said
Lord. “Most of the players on this team are slightly better than average;
some will go on to play in college. But we were able to reach such a large
audience. I told the girls not to miss out on that fact. God uses average
people. He’s using us, through basketball, to do great things.”
Lord was assisted by
associate head coach Mark Pavone; Houghton physical education professor Bill
Swanson; Lord’s wife, Joan; Pavone’s wife, Gayle; and Beth Richardson.
Following is the list of
players, their grade, hometown, and school:
Amanda Blake (Senior /
Cuba, N.Y. / Cuba Rushford Central School)
Amanda Brown (Sophomore. /
Osceola, Pa. / Cowanesque Valley HS)
Tara Carl (Sophomore / Duke
Center, Pa. / Otto-Eldred Central School)
Shannon Daugherty (8th
grade / Houghton, N.Y. / Houghton Academy)
Meredith Grausam (Senior /
Montoursville, Pa. / Bishop Neumann HS)
Autumn Hale (Junior /
Avoca, N.Y. / Avoca Central School)
Morgan Johanson (8th grade
/ Fairport, N.Y. / Pittsford Middle School)
Jessica Lord (Freshman /
Houghton, N.Y. / Houghton Academy)
Cassie Merrill (Junior /
Houghton, N.Y. / Houghton Academy)
Alexis Mizell (Sophomore /
West Valley, N.Y. / West Valley Central School)
Kaylan Reynolds (Sophomore
/ Almond, N.Y. / Houghton Academy)
Ashley Scudder (Junior /
Fredonia, N.Y. / Fredonia Central School)
Raya Shores (Senior /
Towanda, Pa. / Athens Area HS)
Renee Shores (Freshman /
Towanda, Pa. / North Rome Christian School)
Stefanie Swanson (Junior /
Houghton, N.Y. / Houghton Academy)
Jennifer Switzer (Senior /
New Milford, N.J. / Hawthorne Christian Academy)
-
| 
