CBS College Basketball Analyst Clark Kellogg, FCA Senior Vice President for Field Ministry Al Schierbaum, former North Carolina State basketball player Alvin Battle and FCA President Les Steckel.

Cleveland Browns General Manager Phil Savage, FCA One Way to Play spokesman Steve Fitzhugh, University of Buffalo head football coach Turner Gill and FCA President Les Steckel

On this day, you left nothing behind. Your sweat-soaked uniform provides the proof. As you stand alongside your teammates you can hear the sound of the exuberant crowd cheering. In time, your body will ache, but not now. Not just yet. It will be tomorrow before the cuts and bruises remind you of the painful, hard-fought game. For right now, posters wave and arms remain outstretched in celebration. These are the sights and sounds of victory. Unfortunately, they are not for you. Your supporters are silent and still; they are rocks among the waves of fans who have crashed the field to celebrate with the victors.
 

Native Americans, after inventing lacrosse centuries ago, called it “the medicine game.” They said it was a supernatural gift, possessing the power to bond and heal communities.

“People from the tribe hoped if they played hard enough and the ‘Creator’ was pleased with the game, he would take energy from those who played and transfer it to someone sick in the tribe,” said Christian Zwickert, the fifth-year men’s lacrosse coach at Wesley College, a small United Methodist school in Dover, Del.

Remember those things that we were so committed to doing at the start of 2006? You know, those resolutions? Some of us may have resolved to read the Bible more or to pray every day while others may have made commitments to get in shape or to lose weight. Whatever our New Year’s resolutions, chances are good that by now we’ve already broken or forgotten them altogether. So with all these good intentions, why is it always so difficult to actually do what we say we are going to do? With respect to our health, most of us have heard and know what we need to do to get in shape. But hearing, knowing and doing are very different things!

Chosen attribute: Perseverance

Dictionary definition: "Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement."

My definition: "Honoring a commitment when it is not convenient to do so. Performing — in sport or life — at the highest possible level regardless of external conditions or internal comfort. The ability to start something well, maintain that same level throughout the competition or life situation, and finish with the same intensity with which you began."