Inspirational talks, Mass to highlight ‘Coaching for Christ’ event

By John Shaughnessy

Ed Tinder calls it a perfect night of fun, faith and inspiration for every coach in the Catholic Youth Organization—and for everyone interested in sports for Catholic young people.

There will be free food and refreshments at the event that’s called “Coaching for Christ.”

There will also be an inspirational talk by Bill Lynch, the head coach of the Indiana University football team, about how he makes his Catholic faith a part of his coaching efforts.

And most importantly, Tinder notes, the free event on March 4 will begin with the celebration of the Mass.

“The night is perfect,” says Tinder, the CYO’s executive director. “It’s starting off with the Mass. That’s the center of everything in our Catholic Church. There’s nothing more important than celebrating the Eucharist together.”

Still, Tinder hopes that the people who attend will also leave the “Coaching for Christ” program with an important message to remember.

“A lot of times, CYO coaches perceive themselves as working to advance athletic careers,” Tinder says. “We have to change that mindset—that they’re working to change souls. They’re working for the same goals of our Catholic schools and parishes. Coaching kids is not so much about developing them athletically, but developing them in mind, body and spirit, and developing their faith.”

While the event will begin at 6 p.m. at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, the first annual event is also being sponsored and paid for by the three other archdiocesan high schools in the city: Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School, Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School and Roncalli High School.

“I was looking for ways for all our deanery high schools to be more engaged and become more of a resource for our parishes so we’re all identified as part of those schools’ programs,” says Bill Sahm, the president of Bishop Chatard. “Even though we’re competing against each other, we’re still the Church together, still the body of Christ.”

Besides Lynch, Roncalli head football coach Bruce Scifres will also speak on the topic “Coaching for Christ.”

“All of us need to hear from people who are successful in coaching, but have a strong faith and have a way of integrating that faith into their programs,” Sahm says. “Bill Lynch is the perfect choice as our first keynote speaker because of the faith-filled Catholic he is. Bruce Scifres has a great message, too. He’s invited to coaching clinics and conferences all over the country for how he integrates his faith into his entire program.”

That approach is often a challenging one for people who coach youth sports, Tinder says.

“I tell the coaches they are youth ministers,” Tinder says. “They get nervous about that. But why does the Catholic Church pour so much money into athletic programs? Why are there so many volunteers? It’s another way of communicating the important message of the Gospel. It’s an important way of communicating the traditions and teachings of the Catholic faith.”

Keep the focus on Christ and you’ll always leave the field and the court as a winner, no matter what side of the score you are on, say Tinder and Sahm.

“It’s so much more satisfying and gratifying when you do have success on the field when you do it as part of God’s plan for your life,” Sahm says. “The way we conduct ourselves, the sportsmanship we show, the examples we set, the way we treat people is a wonderful way to pass on the faith and develop the faith.”

(The “Coaching for Christ” program is free, but registrations are requested by Feb. 29. To make a reservation, contact the CYO office at 317-632-9311.) †