By Matthew Barnes, Sports Editor
The Asbury athletics department has made serious strides to try and spark campus interest in the program but also to develop relations between athletes and non-athletes. Although this has been well received, senior soccer player Meredith Brumfield feels the athletes do not have enough time to grow with one another. This led to the idea of bringing Athletes in Action (AIA) back to campus.
AIA is an international sports organization focused on equipping athletes, coaches and sports-minded individuals to grow in their relationship with Jesus and experience community. The organization is currently serving in 60 countries and on over 200 college campuses. On Asbury’s campus, it will essentially be a chance for athletes of any sport to hang out, play games, bond with one another and have Bible studies.
During Brumfield’s freshman year, she attended a group meeting for AIA’s branch at Wright State University, where her sister attends. She really loved the environment.
She then heard of a winter retreat for AIA and decided to go. Another senior at Asbury, Carly Butler, was also going and contacted a staff member to try and get it started at Asbury. The two got in contact, and the group was formed on campus in the spring of 2017.
Although AIA has been around for nearly two years on campus, it has been more to gauge interest and has never really been promoted. Meetings have also been inconsistent during this period.
“When we first started, we had about 15-20 students coming to our meetings,” said Brumfield. “We had weekly meetings, and they seemed to be a real hit. However, come the fall semester of my junior year, that was a little more difficult. I played soccer, so I was busier.”
They still met about twice a month and were averaging 10-15 attendees. Brumfield believes they have a core set of people who come consistently and have always been enthusiastic.
Brumfield hopes the group will grow and connect this sector of the student body. “I started Athletes in Action because I believe a lot of athletes do tend to stay with their teammates and not branch out and get to know other athletes,” Brumfield said, “or they just don’t have the opportunity to. AIA is a great way to be in a space where you are presented with the opportunity to meet an athlete from another team. The ultimate goal is for athletes to know and support other athletes and understand the platform they have as college athletes to share the Gospel and love on other people and athletes.”
Those interested can contact Brumfield at meredith.brumfield@asbury.edu. The next meeting will be held Feb. 11 at 8:30 p.m. The location is still to be determined.
