Even though March Madness is officially over, the memories and impact of ministry opportunities from the 2008 Women’s Final Four are still much alive.

Over the course of the weekend, hundreds of women’s basketball coaches were spiritually encouraged in a variety of ways.

Friday night, many attended the free concert put on by national Christian recording artist, Jami Smith. Along with her band, Smith ushered in the presence of God for all those in attendance. This was a special time for coaches to just sit back and relax, soaking in the Spirit during the time of worship and later fellowshipping with one another.

FCA also facilitated an informational booth at the WBCA (Women’s Basketball Coaches Association) Expo. This provided numerous opportunities to reconnect and develop new relationships with a variety of coaches. Throughout the day, God set up divine appointments over and over for the FCA staff. One particularly occurred for FCA’s Coaches Ministry Director Donna Noonan. 

Yow (center) with FCA board member Jane Albright (left) and FCA Coaches Ministry Director Donna Noonan (right) at the inaugural Kay Yow Heart of a Coach breakfast.

Download the mp3 of Coach Yow's speech!

“The weekend was all about the connection with people,” says Noonan.  “It was neat that I ran into a former intern of mine. She is now a high school athletic director starting an FCA Huddle. So through our reconnecting, I am now able to send her more resources. Just the little stories like that are amazing.”

FCA’s women’s basketball ministry team also had the opportunity to reach out to the gay and lesbian community through their participation on the Common Grounds panel discussion. FCA members were able to share Christ’s love to other panel members and coaches during the discussion. And the presence of God was definitely in the room, as one of the discussion leaders quoted in her blog, “I felt the joy the Christian women expressed in their faith.”
 
“Our hope for being a part of this panel is to bridge gaps between Christians and the gay/lesbian community,” explains Noonan, “and also to open the doors for future dialogue and ministry to demonstrate Christ’s truth and love.”

The weekend’s events were wrapped up by a Sunday morning AIA/FCA worship service followed by the inaugural Kay Yow Heart of a Coach Award breakfast. Once again, the coaches were blessed with worship led by Smith. And AIA's Tracey Tarkington Wolff shared her heart on life changes and how God expects us to handle these adjustments.

During the breakfast, North Carolina State’s head women’s basketball coach, Kay Yow, was presented with her namesake’s award and gave a powerful message about exits and entrances in our lifetimes. She pointed out that our exits serve to transition us into even more amazing entrances God has in store. The gospel message of Christ was delivered with Yow encouraging anyone in the range of her voice to not miss the opportunity to personally know her Lord, the One who has given her strength and immeasurable faith during her recent battle with cancer.

Noonan and the FCA staff were encouraged to see coaches from all across the country come together over the course of a few days and be filled with God’s love and spirit.
 
“You could tell that the coaches had fun just enjoying one another’s company,” expressed Noonan. “It is one week out of the year where they didn’t feel the pressures of their job and could just refuel and reconnect.”

Sunday morning's worship service