College athletes face unique challenges, a significant amount of pressure and great influence among their teams, their peers and the culture. Despite this, they are among the most underserved students on the college campus by Catholics.
Varsity Catholic works to serve college athletes who are searching for Christ. The goal is to help them realize that their deepest identity is in Christ and the God who created them.
FOCUS' Varsity
Catholic missionaries mentor athletes within their demanding schedules, teaching
them to glorify God in their sport and in their daily lives. Through genuine
friendship, prayer and sharing God’s message of hope and mercy, Varsity
Catholic missionaries aim to raise up disciples of Jesus who are equipped to
make disciples of others.
Check out these stories from various student-athletes:
- Varsity Catholic Video Testimonies
- Division I Athlete Twin Sisters Become Missionaries
- Breaking Through Silence To Become a Husker
- From College Football to College Seminary: A Journey of Faith in the Bayou
- From the University of Kentucky to Jesus – One Soccer Player’s Story
- From Division I Football To Missionary
- How a Former Big 10 Defensive End Made Football a Prayer
- How I Became Female Athlete of the Year
- How Faith and Division I Football Shaped Me
- Georgia Tech Football to Catholic Seminary
- Peace by Piece – College Athlete Finds Christ
- I Thought I Had the Perfect Life
Compete Inside
For athletes, especially college athletes, the pursuit of excellence in all areas
— in sports, academics, relationships and personal inner life — is essential to become fully who they are meant to be. Compete Inside by Thomas Wurtz offers athletes reflections, relevant Scripture passages and piercing questions to help them develop their faith and integrate it into their athletic life.
"These reflections inspire the athlete to put first what should be first: our faith and trust in Christ. Awesome!"
—Philip Rivers, 11 year NFL Veteran Quarterback, 5 time Pro Bowler
"As athletes, we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. We put our performance out there for all the world to evaluate. We have high highs and low lows. Because of this, sports are more than physical competition or mental challenges. It becomes a spiritual journey. We all know the importance of focus in athletes. This book will help keep you focused on the most important thing, and assist you in leaving a meaningful legacy that lasts far beyond your playing days."
—Matt Birk, 15 year NFL Veteran, Super Bowl Champion and 2011 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
"This book is an excellent resource for all athletes striving to excel in their sport and live a life for Christ! It is highly relatable to the highs and lows that athletes face and speaks the truth of God's love and mercy."
—Kristen O'Neill, Associate Head Women's Basketball Coach at Seattle University, former WNBA, FIBA and Division I athlete
"This book will serve as a road map to help us give God back the glory—not to strive to have him on our team, but to one day cross home plate with the winning run and be on his team. In society, sometimes we glorify athletes more than a man that died on a cross. It can create an EGO (Edging God Out). These great reflections help us bring God back into the mix."
—Tony Robichaux, Head Baseball Coach, University of Louisiana - Lafayette
For Coaches
Join us in serving students on campus.
Articles and Resources for Coaches:
- Leading Through Adversity
- Four Keys To Being a Dynamic Coach on Mission
- First Key: Building a Solid Foundation
- Second Key: Sharing the Gospel
- Third Key: Pointing Them to a Life Well Lived
- Fourth Key: Seeing This as God’s Plan For Them
- How To Become the GOAT - Filling Your Cup
- From a Coach: To Athletes That Lost Their Season
Lives Impacted:
- A Soccer Coach Helping His Players Get to Heaven
- What Helped Make Me a Better Coach
- One Key To Succeed as a Coach – Finding Your Why
- How One High School Soccer Program Is Seeking To Change Lives
For High School Athletes
Connect with us if you’re heading into college sports!