Tale of Two Christian Schools
Chances are, you saw the story out of Dallas about the Christian school whose girl's basketball team played a school for developmentally challenged kids...and beat them 100-0. The school is embarrassed about that now, but the damage is done; not only to the school, but to any Christian who believes compassion and respect are important qualities.
Texas prep hoops team might forfeit 100-0 win
I'd like to give you another story that shows a different side. This story is real. It was written by the talented Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated and it inspires me every time I read it:
High school football is big in America, but I suppose there is no place where it is bigger than in Texas. Friday nights there are legend.
The fans scream; the stands are packed; cheerleaders with pom-poms jump and sway to the beat of the school bandand everybody joins in the chants and stomps their feet on the metal stands until you are sure they will collapse.
This is the frenzy of Texas high school football.
But there is one football team in Texas that is a little different. When they play on Friday night, their stands are empty, no band, no cheerleaders, no mass of parents or townsfolk wearing the school colors and waving banners and flags. They take the field without anyone cheering them on. When they score a touchdown, which rarely happens, there is no wild celebration behind them… All of it seems hollow and muffled in contrast to the tidal wave of roars and drums and chants that come from the opposing side.
They are the Tornadoes of the Gainesville State School, a fenced, maximum-security facility. The young men who go to Gainesville State are there because they have made some major mistakes in their lives. But the players who are on the team are there because they have worked hard and have earned enough good behavior points that gives them the privilege to leave the facility and play football on Friday nights—always an away game for them—always a home game for their opponents—and almost always a loss. They don’t have a weight program or training equipment or high-paid coaches and assistants. They don’t have a large pool of players to draw from. The school has 275 boys, but many are too old or too young or can’t or don’t meet the “criteria” to play. And they don’t have the support of a town and a mass of parents and family and reporters and bands and cheerleaders.
That is, until November 7th. Something changed. They played Grapevine Faith Christian School.
A few days before the game, the Gainesville coach, Mark Williams received a call from Faith Christian coach, Kris Hogan, asking him if it would be okay if Faith formed a “spirit” line for his team when they ran on the field. Mark said, “Sure, that would be a real encouragement to the kids.” He thought that the line would consist of a couple of the JV cheerleaders, but when they took the field, there were a hundred people in it and it stretched to the 40-yard line, filled with Faith Christian parents, fans and varsity cheerleaders, complete with a banner at the end for them to burst through that read “Go Tornadoes!”. And then, those parents and fans sat in the stands behind the Gainesville players and when the Tornadoes broke the huddle and went up to the line they could hear people cheering for them, by name. When they got a first down, “their” fans erupted.
You see, coach Hogan had sent an email out to the Faith Christian parents and students asking them to consider doing something kind for these young men, many who didn’t know what it meant to have a mom and dad who cared, many who felt the world was against them, not for them. Hogan asked that they simply send a message that these boys were “just as valuable as any other person on earth.”
So half of the Faith Christian fans were now sitting on the visitor’s side of the field, cheering for the Gainesville team, and in some cases, against their own sons. –Cheering for a team decked out in mismatched old uniforms and helmets. –Cheering for boys who wouldn’t go home that night and have a smiling dad slap him on the back and feel his mom put her arms around him and say “I’m so proud of you son!” –Cheering for the underdog.
This was a Friday night like no other for the Tornadoes. In the locker room, the players were confused. “Why are they cheerin’ for us, coach?” “Because, men, they want to encourage you. They want you to know that they care about you…that you have value.”
Coach Williams said the boys were stunned. For many of these kids, it may have been the first time that anyone had shown them, so visibly, unconditional love.
They were down 33 to nothing at the half. Williams encouraged his team to set a goal for the second half: to score a touchdown against this vastly superior team. And when the boys from the State School took the field again, with their fans cheering them on, everything started to click. And they did score. Not once but twice.
And the fans went wild.
Coach Williams was asked what the bus ride was like on the way home and he laughed and said that they were all asleep—their bellies were full. That’s becuz after the game, the parents brought a whole bunch of food over to the guys: hamburgers, fries, candy, sodas…and included in the meal sack was a Bible and a personal letter of encouragement from a Faith Christian player. But then, he said, they formed a line for us out to the bus. And the parents patted them on the back and said, “Nice game” and “Look forward to seeing you guys next time.”
As they left the field that night, Coach Williams grabbed Coach Hogan and said to him: “You’ll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You’ll never, ever know.”
Texas prep hoops team might forfeit 100-0 win
I'd like to give you another story that shows a different side. This story is real. It was written by the talented Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated and it inspires me every time I read it:
High school football is big in America, but I suppose there is no place where it is bigger than in Texas. Friday nights there are legend.
The fans scream; the stands are packed; cheerleaders with pom-poms jump and sway to the beat of the school bandand everybody joins in the chants and stomps their feet on the metal stands until you are sure they will collapse.
This is the frenzy of Texas high school football.
But there is one football team in Texas that is a little different. When they play on Friday night, their stands are empty, no band, no cheerleaders, no mass of parents or townsfolk wearing the school colors and waving banners and flags. They take the field without anyone cheering them on. When they score a touchdown, which rarely happens, there is no wild celebration behind them… All of it seems hollow and muffled in contrast to the tidal wave of roars and drums and chants that come from the opposing side.
They are the Tornadoes of the Gainesville State School, a fenced, maximum-security facility. The young men who go to Gainesville State are there because they have made some major mistakes in their lives. But the players who are on the team are there because they have worked hard and have earned enough good behavior points that gives them the privilege to leave the facility and play football on Friday nights—always an away game for them—always a home game for their opponents—and almost always a loss. They don’t have a weight program or training equipment or high-paid coaches and assistants. They don’t have a large pool of players to draw from. The school has 275 boys, but many are too old or too young or can’t or don’t meet the “criteria” to play. And they don’t have the support of a town and a mass of parents and family and reporters and bands and cheerleaders.
That is, until November 7th. Something changed. They played Grapevine Faith Christian School.
A few days before the game, the Gainesville coach, Mark Williams received a call from Faith Christian coach, Kris Hogan, asking him if it would be okay if Faith formed a “spirit” line for his team when they ran on the field. Mark said, “Sure, that would be a real encouragement to the kids.” He thought that the line would consist of a couple of the JV cheerleaders, but when they took the field, there were a hundred people in it and it stretched to the 40-yard line, filled with Faith Christian parents, fans and varsity cheerleaders, complete with a banner at the end for them to burst through that read “Go Tornadoes!”. And then, those parents and fans sat in the stands behind the Gainesville players and when the Tornadoes broke the huddle and went up to the line they could hear people cheering for them, by name. When they got a first down, “their” fans erupted.
You see, coach Hogan had sent an email out to the Faith Christian parents and students asking them to consider doing something kind for these young men, many who didn’t know what it meant to have a mom and dad who cared, many who felt the world was against them, not for them. Hogan asked that they simply send a message that these boys were “just as valuable as any other person on earth.”
So half of the Faith Christian fans were now sitting on the visitor’s side of the field, cheering for the Gainesville team, and in some cases, against their own sons. –Cheering for a team decked out in mismatched old uniforms and helmets. –Cheering for boys who wouldn’t go home that night and have a smiling dad slap him on the back and feel his mom put her arms around him and say “I’m so proud of you son!” –Cheering for the underdog.
This was a Friday night like no other for the Tornadoes. In the locker room, the players were confused. “Why are they cheerin’ for us, coach?” “Because, men, they want to encourage you. They want you to know that they care about you…that you have value.”
Coach Williams said the boys were stunned. For many of these kids, it may have been the first time that anyone had shown them, so visibly, unconditional love.
They were down 33 to nothing at the half. Williams encouraged his team to set a goal for the second half: to score a touchdown against this vastly superior team. And when the boys from the State School took the field again, with their fans cheering them on, everything started to click. And they did score. Not once but twice.
And the fans went wild.
Coach Williams was asked what the bus ride was like on the way home and he laughed and said that they were all asleep—their bellies were full. That’s becuz after the game, the parents brought a whole bunch of food over to the guys: hamburgers, fries, candy, sodas…and included in the meal sack was a Bible and a personal letter of encouragement from a Faith Christian player. But then, he said, they formed a line for us out to the bus. And the parents patted them on the back and said, “Nice game” and “Look forward to seeing you guys next time.”
As they left the field that night, Coach Williams grabbed Coach Hogan and said to him: “You’ll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You’ll never, ever know.”
Add a Comment
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Comment by lauley pop on January 23, 2009 at 10:33am - i cried all the way to my daughter's school this morning after you read this story...how amazing...thank you soooo much for telling this story...
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Comment by Adam on January 23, 2009 at 10:17am - I just would like to say that after the short and normally fun ride of dropping my kids off at school today I heard you tell the story of the Christian football team and what they did for the Tornados. The reason I say that the daily journey was usually fun and short is that today seemed long and sad. See, I was really upset with my 15 year old son this morning for something that occurred a couple days before; so I had been waiting for him to apologize! But he still didn’t and I left disappointed. My thinking was backwards but not in a good way like that of the lions coach. I wanted my son to man up and do what was right. I felt like I should not give in and he would realize on his own and make things right. Only after hearing you tell the story (which by the way is 100 times better than reading the article) did I snap into reality. It wasn’t up to my 15 yr old to do the right thing. It was his father’s duty or I should say honor. Those kids from the institution, God blessed them through his more fortunate children. Hopefully it will be a life changing experience for them! Those people were there for kids they didn’t even know, they didn’t judge them, and they treated them with respect and love. Now for those of us who have the opportunity to be there for our own children and don’t always do the same; SHAME ON US. I’m not a bad father, but I’m not perfect either; the good thing is we can learn from others.
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Comment by Jodi on January 23, 2009 at 10:02am -
Kidd,
This story is one of the best that I have heard in a very long time. When you were reading this on the air I was actually crying.. w/ you. It touches my heart b/c usually these kids that are " in trouble" are treated very poorly and not given any recognition even when they are doing good. I am very proud you could say that these parents and couches stood up for these boys. It has probably changed their lives forever, just to know that their are people out there that care and can still love them. They have made some bad mistakes but it doesn't mean that given the chance that they can't change. Thanks for the story!!!
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Comment by Michelle Brown on January 23, 2009 at 9:59am - Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us today and reminding us to look beyond ourselves. To he who much is given, much is expected. You may not have the biggest house, the fanciest car or the designer clothes. But if you have a roof over your head, food on the table and your family is healthy you are richly blessed. Reach out to others and give back. Thank you again!
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Comment by Just Myra on January 23, 2009 at 9:55am - I missed the reading of the story and just caught the end. Thank you for posting it Kidd. Stories like this inspire hope in me and make me proud. There's so much cruelty in the world, it's nice to hear about something like this. I had to stop reading a few times, for the tears were blurring my vision. Again, thank you.
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Comment by Debra on January 23, 2009 at 9:53am
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I am a recently "retired" volunteer at GSS. I had the pleasure of spending most Saturday's over a 2.5 year period with many of the students on campus. The responses to this story encouraged me to respond:
Do not be afraid to love these young people, whether you meet them on the streets or behind bars. They are amazing individuals. Their stories will break your heart and make you ponder greater things. They will give you courage to love more freely. Will it change their lives? Probably not. There are too many forces dragging them in the wrong direction. I have learned not to look at the big picture, but in the moment. Living in the moment with high risk teens has changed my life for the better. Yes, I am a better person because I spent a few hours on Saturday driving 1 hour to GSS, sitting with a student for a couple of hours, listening, encouraging, laughing, and loving; attending events on campus; being involved; and driving 1 hour home. It was a sacrifice of time, but it enhanced my life, and hopefully the lives of those who I met along the way.
I am not writing to brag, but to encourage. I have invited many people to GSS to visit, and few go. People are afraid. People do not think it is worth their time if it isn't going to keep the youth from being reincarcerated in the future. People do not have time.
There is a part of the story Kidd told that touched your heart. Find a way to incorporate that which touched you into your every day life. Make time to do it. Be encourged, and know that no matter how much or how little you give to the way you chose to live out the moral of the story, your efforts make the world a better place.
For all of your efforts to-date and in the future, I thank you.
As for me, I will take a deep breath, ponder the changes GSS made in my life, and find a new place to jump in, a new place that will shape me into an even better person than I have become because I have loved and was loved by some of the most amazing people I have ever met.
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Comment by Debra on January 23, 2009 at 9:53am
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I am a recently "retired" volunteer at GSS. I had the pleasure of spending most Saturday's over a 2.5 year period with many of the students on campus. The responses to this story encouraged me to respond:
Do not be afraid to love these young people, whether you meet them on the streets or behind bars. They are amazing individuals. Their stories will break your heart and make you ponder greater things. They will give you courage to love more freely. Will it change their lives? Probably not. There are too many forces dragging them in the wrong direction. I have learned not to look at the big picture, but in the moment. Living in the moment with high risk teens has changed my life for the better. Yes, I am a better person because I spent a few hours on Saturday driving 1 hour to GSS, sitting with a student for a couple of hours, listening, encouraging, laughing, and loving; attending events on campus; being involved; and driving 1 hour home. It was a sacrifice of time, but it enhanced my life, and hopefully the lives of those who I met along the way.
I am not writing to brag, but to encourage. I have invited many people to GSS to visit, and few go. People are afraid. People do not think it is worth their time if it isn't going to keep the youth from being reincarcerated in the future. People do not have time.
There is a part of the story Kidd told that touched your heart. Find a way to incorporate that which touched you into your every day life. Make time to do it. Be encourged, and know that no matter how much or how little you give to the way you chose to live out the moral of the story, your efforts make the world a better place.
For all of your efforts to-date and in the future, I thank you.
As for me, I will take a deep breath, ponder the changes GSS made in my life, and find a new place to jump in, a new place that will shape me into an even better person than I have become because I have loved and was loved by some of the most amazing people I have ever met.
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Comment by Adam on January 23, 2009 at 9:46am
- I just would like to say that after the short and normally fun ride of dropping my kids off at school today I heard you tell the story of the Christian football team and what they did for the Tornados. The reason I say that the daily journey was usually fun and short is that today seemed long and sad. See, I was really upset with my 15 year old son this morning for something that occurred a couple days before; so I had been waiting for him to apologize! But he still didn’t and I left disappointed. My thinking was backwards but not in a good way like that of the lions coach. I wanted my son to man up and do what was right. I felt like I should not give in and he would realize on his own and make things right. Only after hearing you tell the story (which by the way is 100 times better than reading the article) did I snap into reality. It wasn’t up to my 15 yr old to do the right thing. It was his father’s duty or I should say honor. Those kids from the institution, God blessed them through his more fortunate children. Hopefully it will be a life changing experience for them! Those people were there for kids they didn’t even know, they didn’t judge them, and they treated them with respect and love. Now for those of us who have the opportunity to be there for our own children and don’t always do the same; SHAME ON US. I’m not a bad father, but I’m not perfect either; the good thing is we can learn from others.
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Comment by Deb on January 23, 2009 at 9:30am - I was late to work b/c I was sitting in the car listening and crying. This is such an inspirational story. I printed it off and am going to make my kids read it tonight when I get home. They need to know there is more to life than winning a game. Thank you so much for sharing this...my morning was not going so good and it changed my whole outlook for the day. It makes me realize there are still good, giving people out in this world of ours.
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Comment by Meg..Looking Right on January 23, 2009 at 9:22am - Coach Hogan was the hands and feet of Christ that night. The spirit of community and serving displayed by the families of Faith Christian deserves attention. The world needs to hear more stories like this, it inspires hope. Thanks for sharing.
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