Every athletic team at Neumann has a chaplain, and the impact of those who volunteer for the role goes far beyond the offering of a pre-game prayer.

Students describe chaplains as friends, mentors, support systems, and team moms. They are sources of spirituality, team bonding, guidance, and stress relief.

The Team Chaplain Guide clearly states a chaplain’s primary responsibility: “To be present to a designated athletic team by forming positive relationships and providing personal and spiritual support to student athletes.”

It is part of what Athletic Director John Krimmel calls “a holistic approach to the experience of being a Division III student-athlete at a Catholic, Franciscan institution.”

According to Sr. Linda DeCero, chaplain for flag football, “I can’t be your coach or write papers for you, but I can be your GPS and direct you to all the resources that you need on campus.”

Tim Corrozi, assistant director of the campus store, is a chaplain for men’s ice hockey. “We call him Timbo,” says senior Chase Cochran. “He’s there every single game for us, does a prayer with us, and is a friendly face around campus. He’s an extra light in our corner.”

Alura Troilo, a senior on the tennis team, calls her chaplain “a backbone for schoolwork, athletics, and my faith.” She still remembers a prayer that Professor Andrea Lobacz offered before a match – to understand that your performance on the court is not what God’s perspective of you will be. “I thought about that before every single match,” Troilo recalls. “It really resonated with me.”

Chaplains regularly attend home games, help organize service projects for the team, and are available to be a supportive ear for questions about anything from roommate issues and stressful schedules to academic and career goals.

“I go to home games,” explains Advancement’s Vivian Long, the chaplain for women’s volleyball. “I sit on the sidelines with the coaches, which is really cool. I stand in circles with them when they do their huddles, cheer 1-2-3 go Knights, and give high fives. I’m part of the team.”

Some, like campus store director Natalie VanWyk, embrace the role of team mom. “I bring a snack for the girls to have after the game or to take on the bus to away games,” says the field hockey chaplain. “I never played sports myself, but I have three boys who played sports. I’m really happy that’s in my life again. I’ve learned so much from the girls. We shepherd each other.”

Chaplains also participate in team evenings of reflection, which are powerful experiences for many students.

“You work with Sr. Linda to formulate a route for the team to follow,” says senior soccer player Dominic Petruzzelli, “and focus on the five pillars in the Mirenda Center: respect, balance, play, beauty, and reflection. Guys open up and share personal experiences. We are together 24/7 during the season – pre-season two-a-days, eating together, practice, on the bus to away games. It’s soccer, soccer, soccer, but players have identities other than sports. Those personalities come through during the nights of reflection.”

Delaney Jack, a women’s volleyball player, agrees. “On our last evening of reflection, we went back to the basics. We discussed why we play, team culture, and that we are all here for a reason. It's helpful because sometimes the season goes by so fast that we forget there is more to us than just playing.”

Perhaps Cochran puts it best. “This day and age, things move so fast. Everything is at your fingertips. You’re never not doing something, and it’s really hard to find time to step away. The evening of reflection lets you see the bigger picture and slows down life a bit.”

Joe Glass, who was men’s basketball chaplain for 12 years, puts the program in theological perspective: “The goal of the chaplain program is to connect people with the sacred, the holy, to let people know that they’re part of something bigger. It touches on what we’re all about, the integration of the mission into everything. It’s in Neumann’s DNA.”

The experience has an impact on the chaplains, too. “I’ve never felt so loved,” says VanWyk, “and I hope I’m worthy of their affection. I feel like we’re a sisterhood.”