Alumni Reminisce, Talk About Continued Service

Former staff members from Athletes in Action reminisced about their experiences—and how God has continued their service since those days—during the recent Alumni Weekend held at AIA headquarters in Xenia, Ohio. Here are a few of those stories:

Former track and field staff member George Mason recalled being on tour with AIA overseas years ago. Just as the group was preparing to board a ferry, the pole vaulters realized they left their poles at the hotel, so Mason and another sprinter literally ran back to retrieve them, but left their bags and all identification and passports with the main group. When they returned to the ferry, the group had left. The ferry ticket agent warned they would be able to get on but wouldn’t get off without passports. They decided to chance it. The only way off the ferry with the long poles was through the cargo hold with the vehicles. So when the ferry reached its destination, they walked off the pier with the cars without anyone saying a word.

Terry Field, who has volunteered with AIA basketball for nearly 20 years, recalled a scary situation on a tour to Kenya and Sudan, fresh on the heels of the Iranian air bus accidentally shot down by the U.S. Navy in 1988. Security for the American players was high.

“We were led to our hotel by armed vehicles in front and behind us. They put us all in one hotel room and had the head executioner of the country sitting in our hallway for our protection,” Field said. “Toward the end of our game that night in Khartoum, all the lights went out, and they were quickly trying to round us up and make sure they’re not trying to kidnap any of the players. We found out later it was just a power outage.”

Dave McDowell, vice president of development for AIA, shared a memory about hosting a family softball game at the Kings Domain campus during a visit by Dr. Bill Bright and his wife Vonette in the mid 1990s. Nearly 80 years old at the time, Dr. Bright decided to participate in the softball game and played in his wingtip shoes.

“He hit this ball that didn’t go far. When he rounded first, he just biffed it,” McDowell said. “He did roll, and we all thought we’d killed him. When he got up, there was a big sigh of relief on the field.”

Several alumni spoke of the impact working with Athletes in Action had on their lives and how those skills and principles were still active. Dave Brandt, on staff from 1978-96, appreciated the opportunity to follow his heart in service with AIA, serving as prayer coordinator the last six years of his time with the organization, leading staff in a weekly prayer time for needs and work of the ministry.

Tom Rapp, who served from 1981-2004, said the biggest lesson he gleaned from AIA has served him well as a high school coach and teacher.

“When we were going overseas, we were trained on how to survive and make an impact within the culture,” he recalled. “I think that’s what we all try to do in life is survive whatever we have to deal with but also have an impact.”

Dave Naidl helped start the sports information department at AIA after earning a communications degree and being impacted by Campus Crusade at the University of North Dakota. He noted that he is still in touch with many of his AIA coworkers who impacted his life.

Susie Baron worked with AIA gymnastics and as the national women’s coordinator after serving with Agape in Africa as a teacher. Those experiences shaped her current role working with high school students, in women’s ministry and working with internationals. She also helped start a homeschool sports organization in Cincinnati, crediting many of her skills from AIA work as instrumental in those positions. She seemed to sum up the group’s feelings with her comments:

“Ministry never goes out of vogue; you never lose the call; you never graduate. You just keep going,” she said. “God keeps putting people in your life. Whether it’s counseling or discipleship one-on-one or sharing the gospel with internationals in America, God just keeps bringing people no matter what you’re doing. God keeps working. All those things you guys built into me, God keeps using.”

By Teresa Young, AIA Communications

News | General