A sports tradition is born: “I almost started crying seeing these young men walking together as one”

From The Catholic Compass in Green Bay, Wisconsin:

The first time Norbertine Fr. Andrew Ciferni witnessed the St. Norbert College football players walking hand-in-hand across campus, he was struck with emotion.

As part of a new home pregame tradition, the players make their way to Old St. Joseph Church to celebrate Mass following position meetings and breakfast.

“When they come out of Michels Commons, they come out two-by-two,” explained Fr. Ciferni, director of the Center for Norbertine Studies, who celebrates the team Mass on home game Saturdays.

“The first time we did it was on a beautiful day in September. … They disappeared behind Main Hall and then came around four-by-four. I almost started crying seeing these young men walking together as one,” he said.

The new tradition is the initiative of first-year head coach Steve Opgenorth, a Green Bay native who formerly coached at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

“St. Norbert is the only Norbertine college in the world and it’s one that people identify with that Catholic base, such as Notre Dame or Holy Cross,” said Opgenorth. “I had a discussion with Tim Bald, our athletic director, and built a relationship with Fr. Ciferni. The wheels kept in motion. I met with Fr. Andrew and Fr. Jay Fostner (vice president for mission and student affairs) to ask them for their thoughts. They gave me their backing and it became a reality.”

All team members participate. The captains lead the walk with the head coach. A number of players on the roster are not Catholic. Opgenorth explained to the team that the walk and Mass are about more than faith, it is about family.

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