Nations of Coaches
Why is March an Exciting Time?
Nations of Coaches is excited about March. Is it because we’re a week away from Daylight Saving Time?
Does their excitement stem from knowing St. Patrick’s Day and spring will be here in a flash? Are they enthusiastic about Mach Madness and their school’s chances of winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship (NCAA)?
While these facts make the month a refreshing time, March has a deeper meaning for this ministry. Below, I’ll explain this meaning by discussing the origins of the Nations of Coaches and their mission. Then I’ll explain the significance of College Basketball Day of Prayer and how fans can intercede for specific collegiate programs.
Nations of Coaches
Its Origins & Mission
Nations of Coaches was established in 2005 by Jim Haney to partner with college basketball programs in America. The goal of this partnership is to help coaches and athletes achieve a higher level of play on and off the court.
This happens as Nations of Coaches work with over 3,000 coaches by helping athletes make the connection between their character and sports. Nations of Coaches equips teams with the resources necessary to build young athletes of high moral conduct.
Their mission is to see coaches and everyone they influence impacted for the glory of God. Fulfilling this mission is ignited by a vision to equip coaches to leave a legacy of excellence.
Equipping coaching staff occurs through a variety of activities, such as
- A book list for leaders.
- A relocation checklist for coaches changing jobs.
- Character coach training.
- Marriage and mental health resources.
- NOC Growth Series clinics.
- The Master Coach training.
Along with equipping sports leaders, Nations of Coaches also serves their wives and families through programs such as
- Canopy Wives Retreat.
- Coaching Couples Connection.
- Marriage Enrichment
- NOC Wives Bible Study.
- The GameChanger Marriage Retreat.
Dr. James Naismith
Before the Nations of Coaches began serving coaches and their families, they were inspired by Dr. James Naismith. Dr. Naismith is a source of Inspiration for the organization because he is the inventor of basketball.
Dr. Naismith created the game while working as a physical education teacher and Bible study instructor for the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). His director, Luther Gulick, challenged him to create an indoor activity for the students to keep them active during the winter months.
Dr. Naismith spent two weeks testing different games with his classes, but failed. After many faulty attempts, he decided to base his game on elements from all sports.
He developed a game that involves a ball, with no tackling. running, passing, at a goal at the ends of the floor. As a result, basketball was invented in December 1891.
The game included 13 original rules, and athletes were held to a high standard reflective of their Christian values. Gulick upheld this standard by suspending any athlete from playing for the remainder of the year if their play was deemed dirty.
This standard aligns with Dr. Naismith’s vision to use basketball as a form of evangelism by winning souls for the Master (Jesus Christ) through the gym. Along with this vision, Dr. Naismith and Gulick held the conviction that athletes belong in God’s Kingdom. So, they sought to develop the whole person, developing the mind, body, and spirit.
The Spirit of God allowed Dr. Naismith to see his vision come to fruition through the Student Volunteer Movement. Through local mission trips, this movement allowed college students to help needy children in local urban and rural areas.
These four-day-long trips involved musical entertainment, sports events, and Christian teachings at churches and schools. Through their efforts, many children came to Christ.
Nations of Coaches Founder Jim Haney
Surprisingly, Dr. Naismith’s commitment to using basketball as an evangelism tool prevented him from accepting income from basketball games. He also refused to receive compensation from speaking engagements about the sport.
Sadly, as society has become more secular, basketball has strayed from Dr. Naismith’s vision. Today, hoops has become more about money, individual performance, and winning championships than being a platform to advance the Gospel.
One leader who has a burden to take back the game and restore Dr. Naismith’s original vision is Jim Haney. Jim’s passion for college hoops comes from his nearly fifty years of experience with the game. His experience includes
- Playing college basketball for the University of Pennsylvania.
- Being a graduate assistant coach for the University of Oregon.
- Being the University of Oregon Head Coach for five years.
- Serving as the commissioner of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association.
- Serving as the National Association of College Basketball Executive Director from 1992 to 2020.
The wealth of knowledge Jim has acquired over nearly five decades allows him to discern how far basketball has drifted from Dr. Naismith’s original intent. As a result, this burden for the game is why Nations of Coaches exist today.
College Basketball Day of Prayer
Nations of Coaches Desire
Consequently, as of 2021, the Nations of Coaches declares March 1 as College Basketball Day of Prayer. March 1 is the designated day because it’s the kickoff to March Madness.
The goal of this initiative is to unite the world to pray for College Basketball. Prayer is essential to help return the game to winning souls for the Master through the gym.
Therefore, Nations of Coaches invites college basketball fans to intercede for coaches, staff, athletes, and their families, regardless of their background.
By answering the Nations of Coaches call, 97,000 lives will receive prayer. More specifically, 3, 880 teams, 23, 280 coaches, and 73, 720 student-athletes across men’s and women’s basketball will be remembered in prayer.
Why Answer the Call
While thousands of people being remembered in prayer is praiseworthy, you’re probably wondering why you should respond to this call. One reason to respond to the Nations of Coaches’ plea is Philippians 4:6.
Here, Paul urges believers to pray about everything, while telling God what we need and thanking him for all he’s done. This scripture shows God is interested in every aspect of our lives, even matters we think are trivial, like sports.
Verse seven also promises that we’ll experience God’s peace, which guards our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 echoes Paul’s words, encouraging believers to give God our worries because he cares about us. In addition to God’s care for his children, Christians should also intercede for college basketball because we’re urged to pray for everyone.
1 Timothy 2:1 confirms this as Paul asks us to pray for all people. In verse two, Paul says that doing so helps believers live peaceful, quiet lives in godliness and holiness.
Likewise, praying pleases our savior, who wants everyone to receive salvation and come to the knowledge of the truth.
Furthermore, 1 John 5:14-15 affirms that God hears our prayers when we ask for what pleases him. But not only does he hear us, but he’ll also answer our request according to his will.
This means that whether we pray for a few moments or add college basketball to our daily prayer list, the petitions made won’t be in vain.
Nations of Coaches Call to Intercession
Ways College Basketball Fans Can Intercede
If you’re like me, having an assurance that your petitions won’t be in vain compels you to pray. But perhaps you’re unsure how to intercede for college basketball.
You may ask yourself, shoulpleadplea for victory? Do I have to pray for a hated rival? Can I intercede without knowledge or interest in the game?
The answer to the latter two inquiries is yes. But the first question serves as a teaching point to show supporters that College Basketball Day of Prayer is about more than the outcome of a match or tournament.
It’s about interceding on behalf of and expressing concern for everyone involved in college basketball. You can participate in this initiative by adopting one or more teams and following the Nations of Coaches prayer guide.
The guide offers specific prayer points for coaches, spouses, families, the athletic staff, athletes, and the game of basketball.
How am I Participating on March 1st?
I’ll be answering the Nations of Coaches call by remembering the following NCAA programs in prayer
- Bowie State University.
- Grand Canyon University.
- Howard University.
- Liberty University.
- University of Maryland.
The University of Maryland is on my prayer list because I’ve been a Terps fan since I was seven years old. Liberty and Grand Canyon are in my prayers because I graduated from both institutions.
While I did not attend Bowie State or Howard, I know individuals who are alumni or serve as ministry leaders on these campuses.
Seven prayer points I’ll be uttering on behalf of all these campuses include asking God to
- Give coaching staff the wisdom, integrity, patience, and selflessness needed to lead teams.
- Give athletes the wisdom, integrity, patience, and selflessness to be team players.
- Empower chaplains and the believing team members to be effective witnesses for nonbelievers.
- Help athletes and coaches understand that their worth is in God’s love for them, not in their performance.
- Help athletes do well academically so they can participate in the game they love.
- Keep athletes healthy and heal injured team members from their injuries and other medical conditions.
- Turn teams hearts toward you by playing for your glory and not money or fame.
Prayerfully, this day will help the Nations of Coaches help college teams discover their identity, faith, and purpose in Jesus Christ.
Thank you for taking the time to read stories of faith through the Electi A Deo Experience. Feel free to leave a comment below and share this content with everyone you know. Have a blessed Black History Month!
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