Neumann University’s 31 volunteer team chaplains are the pride of the Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development. During every athletic season and academic year, these chaplains journey with our student-athletes by authentically sharing their time and talents through this unique ministry.
Our Neumann team chaplains, who are faculty and staff volunteers, genuinely offer guidance, perspective, motivation, and friendship to student-athletes. We are invested in the whole athlete – mind, body, and spirit – and our team chaplains contribute so much to our success.
We do hope, though, that the rewards of team chaplaincy are reciprocally felt by the chaplains, too. So, we found ourselves asking: What are the rewards of this sports ministry? What do team chaplains love?
Our chaplains agreed on four common themes. In this first half of our exploration, we’ll look at two of them.
Team chaplaincy is a ministry of giving. Chaplains plant seeds with Neumann’s teams, then cultivate those seeds and watch them grow in our student-athletes. Strength of character, a value so core to our mission, is one of them.
We found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that one of the greatest rewards of team chaplaincy is the opportunity to see student-athletes explore their values, morals, and ethics, then grow through discovery and understanding of self, others, and, sometimes, God. Practices and competition often afford team chaplains the opportunities to quite literally see that character development.
“I’m happy when action is driven by beliefs and values, not feelings and emotion. Players may be experiencing bad calls, bad plays, and bad outcomes. I’m happy when they keep responsibility for their actions and don’t blame the coach, the ref, the other team, or the chaplain. I’m happy when they do something, not because it feels right, but because it is right.”
– Joe Glass (Team Chaplain, Neumann Men’s Basketball)
In the same vein, we find team chaplains are also more impressed with strength of character and integrity than with athletic prowess. When student-athletes’ actions on and off the field are consistent, they achieve a special kind of success and strengthen our community’s commitment to Neumann’s core values.
“What makes me most happy is when students are reaching their potential and succeeding in their academics as well as on the ice.”
– Sr. Marguerite O’Beirne (Team Chaplain, Neumann Club Ice Hockey)
“As a team chaplain, I am gratified by the demonstration of Neumann’s Core Values exhibited by team members on the field, in the classroom, and at community service events.”
– Fred Savitz (Team Chaplain, Neumann Men’s Lacrosse)
Team chaplains understand that growth and exploration of character and values is a process. While perfection is not expected, team chaplains find special meaning in watching student-athletes grow in mind, body, and spirit.
“What makes chaplaincy so great is seeing the teams grow year after year. I’ve seen some of them graduate and move on to be alumni doing awesome things. I love watching them grow to understand what leadership means both on the team and for themselves, and become more confident in their skills.”
– Stephanie Fortunato (Team Chaplain, Men’s and Women’s Tennis)
The journey is a reward in itself for team chaplains. Quite simply, team chaplaincy offers the opportunity to enjoy the ups and downs of the athletic season and college life on campus.
“This year marks my fourth as chaplain of the volleyball team, so our seniors were freshmen when I started. I love the moments spent on the bench, quitly soaking it in, watching those once uncertain freshmen play as confident, competent seniors. It’s been a fabulous journey so far!”
– Denise Chain (Team Chaplain, Neumann Volleyball)
“We realize that this role comes with the awesome responsibility of providing support and offering guidance to these young athletes. Our ‘ministry of presence’ is on-going – and we assure the girls that we are here for them in whatever way they may need us (on and off the field)… It is an honor and privilege journeying with these young athletes. Above all, it is a lot of fun being around this fine group of gifted, talented young women!”
– Mary Wissert and Theresa Huke (Team Chaplains, Neumann Field Hockey)
Many team chaplains learn, too, that students seek varying levels of guidance during their formative college years. In their roles, which are unique and different from the roles of coaches, administrators, or faculty, team chaplains help students reflect on their journey academically, athletically, and spiritually. Their balanced perspective helps student-athletes keep their own activities and perspectives in balance, too.
“As a team chaplain, I am happy to be able to serve as a mentor and guide to the players. I am able to help them balance their time as a student and an athlete.”
– Denis Anastasia (Team Chaplain, Neumann Men’s Ice Hockey)