Fellowship of Christian Athletes forming chapter in Carson City to be ready for 2005-06

In the process of organizing the Carson City chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Zane Cole said they will be ready for the 2005-06 school year.

"Our goal is to bring kids within the middle and high school levels together by using athletics," said Cole, the chapter president. "FCA teaches kids about teamwork, organization and paying attention to detail."

Values taught by the fellowship include integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence. It is faith-based and nondenominational.

"We also have the youth maintain a good public and family image, live a Christian life and just be a good person," said Cole, who is also athletic director at the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada.

Work of the fellowship includes school coaches as well as the young athletes. Shane Quilling, head coach for the Senator football team, will be the group's huddle coach.

Another Carson High School coach joining the group is Kevin Ply of track and field. A student at the school is also selected to be a huddle coach.

The group is most active during the school year.

The fellowship has no age restriction, but is focused on middle and high school students active in an organized sport. It is also open to home-schooled children in an organized sport.

Founded in 1954, Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Christ.

The fellowship offers camps for youth sports, partnerships, coaches, sports and leadership. Youth involved with an FCA chapter may attend a summer camp of their choice, usually for the sport they are active in. Summer camps are taught by retired and current professional athletes.

"Playing athletics, you need skills and work ethics," Quilling said. "It's like real life - you have your ups and downs, peaks and valleys. And you need more in life."

Quilling got involved because he said it is something important, and there is a need for it at Carson High School.

"I have kids who are interested in participating. And it's a student-run thing. We're (huddle coaches) just here as guides. I'm pretty excited about it.

"But this is not for everybody. It's just for kids who want to be involved and Christ is important in their life. It provides a lot of balance in their life."

Quilling said with the athletes in his classes and Sunday School, it's important for the youth to use the skills learned for the rest of their lives.

"It's a win-win situation," he added.

n Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

The Scoop

Who: Fellowship of Christian Athletes

What: Open to all youth enrolled in an organized sport

When: Next meeting April 11, location TBA

President: Zane Cole

Call: 450-6047

Who's Involved

Professional Athletic Members

Tony Dungy, head coach Indianapolis Colts

Meagan Scaggs, Eastern Illinois University basketball player

Jean Driscoll, Olympian wheelchair racer silver medalist and eight-straight Boston Marathon winner

Roger Powell Jr., University of Illinois basketball forward

The late Reggie White, former NFL defensive end