When a university wins a national championship, there is great room for many things: pride mixed with humility; the clarity of seeing a team's head and heart come together with discipline to achieve great results; competence and character intermingled; great coaching in the technical aspects of the game, but also in lessons of poise, patience, and integrity. I witnessed all these things tonight as I proudly witnessed the Trinity Western University men's volleyball team win the Canada Inter-university Sport (CIS) National Championship. I also witnessed the tremendous enthusiasm and support of TWU's students and alumni, parents and friends in cheering the TWU Spartans on throughout the season and tonight in the national tournament. William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, said "It is the tendency of fire to go out." He was speaking spiritually, of course. But it is true in life in general. The TWU faithful did not let the fire go out tonight. They were fired-up like I've never seen. Such support makes a difference.
Somewhat miraculous is the fact that Trinity Western University is only 4,167 students (approximately 3,300 full time equivalent) in competition with universities 10 to 13 times the size and yet still manages to knock down national championships (five since 1999: 2 in men's volleyball and 3 in women's soccer). TWU Spartans are national champions once again. I truly believe it has a great deal to do with TWU's "complete champion" approach in which the development and transformation of the whole student athlete is a priority (intellectually, physically, socially, and spiritually). We strive with a passion to help student athletes be complete persons and completely successful in every way. We give the all we have to give and in prayer and care we give them to God to bless. I remember a speaker once saying "Whatever we give to Christ, he takes, he blesses, and he multiplies so that little becomes much when God is in it!" And I believe he gives it back so we will give it to others.
Tonight the TWU Spartans men's volleyball team gave the university a national championship. But the rest of the story is that they and our Spartan student athletes on other teams have been giving to others all year long. Their gift has come in the form of their witness on the courts and playing fields, in the hotels and restaurants, and on the road and in the air by their exemplary comportment and character. TWU Spartan student athletes do the university proud not only in their tremendous athletic achievements, but even more importantly in the character of their witness. May they always live out the directive of Jesus Christ who said in Matthew 5:16 - "Shine in such a way that others see your good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven."
Congratulations TWU Spartans! Thanks for giving us a great year! Every blessing in Christ!
Now be sure to follow the TWU Spartan men's basketball team next Thursday through Saturday for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championship tournament in Halifax, Nova Scotia this coming week! Go Spartans!
Somewhat miraculous is the fact that Trinity Western University is only 4,167 students (approximately 3,300 full time equivalent) in competition with universities 10 to 13 times the size and yet still manages to knock down national championships (five since 1999: 2 in men's volleyball and 3 in women's soccer). TWU Spartans are national champions once again. I truly believe it has a great deal to do with TWU's "complete champion" approach in which the development and transformation of the whole student athlete is a priority (intellectually, physically, socially, and spiritually). We strive with a passion to help student athletes be complete persons and completely successful in every way. We give the all we have to give and in prayer and care we give them to God to bless. I remember a speaker once saying "Whatever we give to Christ, he takes, he blesses, and he multiplies so that little becomes much when God is in it!" And I believe he gives it back so we will give it to others.
Tonight the TWU Spartans men's volleyball team gave the university a national championship. But the rest of the story is that they and our Spartan student athletes on other teams have been giving to others all year long. Their gift has come in the form of their witness on the courts and playing fields, in the hotels and restaurants, and on the road and in the air by their exemplary comportment and character. TWU Spartan student athletes do the university proud not only in their tremendous athletic achievements, but even more importantly in the character of their witness. May they always live out the directive of Jesus Christ who said in Matthew 5:16 - "Shine in such a way that others see your good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven."
Congratulations TWU Spartans! Thanks for giving us a great year! Every blessing in Christ!
Now be sure to follow the TWU Spartan men's basketball team next Thursday through Saturday for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championship tournament in Halifax, Nova Scotia this coming week! Go Spartans!
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