A Year in Review-I'm Not Who I Was

This animation depicts many of the activities our organization has been involved with throughout the 2010-2011 school year.  Over a span of about 25 seconds, it includes pictures from community service projects, cheering on our fellow Hilltoppers, competing in competitions around campus, as well as many get togethers centered on fellowship and building our community.  By showing pictures from the many activities we participate in, this news package portrays exactly what our organization is centered on: fellowship, faith, and athletics.  As the animation progresses, those viewing should get a better grasp of the type of community our FCA promotes as well as the activities we partake in to share the Good News!  Hopefully you walk away seeing the changes FCA can have on lives.  Over the course of this year many of our members' lives have been greatly impacted by the relationships built through FCA and I can guarantee you that "I'm Not Who I Was." 

I hope you enjoy and God Bless!
-Meredith

Son, Sweat, and Sand

View Heartland Conference Sand Volleyball Tournament 2011 in a larger map

Sweat and sand covered their bodies as two St. Edward’s University teams competed for the championship at the 3^rd Annual Heartland Conference Sand Volleyball Tournament at Fatso’s Sports Garden in San Antonio, TX.

It was game point and serve for Courtney Trevino and Ashley Vander Hey.  Ace.  They had defeated their teammates Mary McNamara and Laura Colley for the win.

“It was challenging and there were a lot of good teams in the tournament out to beat us,” Ashley Vander Hey said. “But we were able to use the skills that God has given us in something that we love to come out victorious, and it was a blast.”

The success of McNamara and Colley was a shock to the two players.

“Coming into the tournament we did not expect to do very well and at the beginning a few losses on our record did not give us much more hope,” Mary McNamara said.  “But it’s funny how God works and helped us compete in a way to build ourselves back up from the bottom.”

Although shown in the above map, not all Heartland Conference members were able to attend this year’s Sand Volleyball Tournament.  St. Edward’s University, Dallas Baptist University, and St. Mary’s University were the only three universities competing this year.  Of the 11 teams present, six were from St. Edward’s. 

Not only did St. Edward’s claim both spots in the championship game, but the pair of Lindy Luleff and Michelle Hundt tied for third place overall.

Although not present at this year’s sand volleyball tournament, St. Edward’s Volleyball travels to the other marked universities for conference play during the indoor fall season. 

The Annual Sand Tournament is an opportunity for players to enjoy a different type of volleyball action.

The map above shows the travel directions for each participating team highlighted in three different colors and their placemarks when clicked on include a team picture.

The placemark for Fatso’s includes pictures of the top two finishing teams as well as a video highlighting the championship game and snapshots from the tournament.

The final placements for each participating team are as follows:

1. Courtney Trevino & Ashley Vander Hey (SEU)

2. Laura Colley & Mary McNamara (SEU)

3. Christina Steinkruger & Kaylyn Frink (DBU)

3. Lindy Luleff & Michelle Hundt (SEU)

5. Kirsten Chapman & Allie Murray (STMU)

T-6. Stephanie Proske, Nicole Canales & Adrianna Keys (STMU)

6. Whitney Rhoden & Lauren Martin (SEU)

8. Karlie Ortega & Melissa Dahle (STMU)

8. Tyler Bradsher & Krystal Wunderlich (DBU)

10. Claire Stephens & Lauren Pavloske (DBU)

10. Ale'tra Ware & Meredith Bard (SEU)

Simple Truth

Just in case you've ever doubted...

God loves you and is always there for you!

Read Genesis 28: 10-15 and listen to the first podcast from The Austin Stone Community Church titled "God With Us".

Your Sister in Christ,
Meredith :)

Who Do You Play For?

In the arena of competition, who do you play for? Do you play for your family, coaches, friends, school, or significant other?  Although you may play to make these people proud, Fellowship of Christian Athletes reminds its members to play first for Jesus, the One who paid their debts on the cross, in all aspects of their life.

            The St. Edward’s softball team currently has an 18-13 overall record and is 6-0 in the Heartland Conference as they set their sights on bringing a national championship home to the Hilltop.
            “Our goal is to take one game at a time and work together to finish every inning to get to the World Series,” senior Courtney Lavender said.
            All teams have their ups and downs during their season, but it is important for them to continue to play together.  According to Junior Meagen Bailey, the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 is important in building a strong team that works together.
            “Having love for the game and having love for my teammates is important.  Playing together is the only way to be successful and win,” Bailey said.  “When love is what binds us all together, it will be hard to break us because big hearts go a long way.”

For some members of their team playing together and winning a national championship are not their only goals.  They also have their eyes focused on an eternity in Heaven as they suit up in their St. Edward’s uniforms and put on the full armor of God as they play for Him on and off the field. 

            “I glorify God on and off the field by praising and thanking Him each day for the abilities He has given me,” Lavender said.  “Without Him I wouldn’t be the person I am today and I am so thankful for all He has blessed me with!”
            At all times, these Christian competitors turn to the Bible for encouragement.
            “My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6.  This verse talks about putting trust in the Lord and to not lean on your own understandings of things that happen,” sophomore Marissa Thome said.  “I have been playing softball for more than 15 years and I know that I need to put all my trust in God, knowing He has lead me this far and will continue to be with me on and off the field.  If I make an error or an at-bat doesn’t go my way, I know that God has a plan for me and there was a reason for the outcome of the play.”
            As full-time student-athletes, they live to share the love of God to everyone, including those not involved in the world of sports.
            “I want God to use me as a tool to help spread His Word and love in a way that will make non-believers believe,” Bailey said.
            Any play they make, run they score, homerun they hit, or base they steal, these athletes credit the talents God has blessed them with.  They realize that these talents were given to them by God so that He can work through them.  At the end of the day, they know that none of their accomplishments are possible without God on their side.
            “I hope to glorify God by stepping on the field and giving Him nothing less than my best," Bailey said.  “I think I’m pretty lucky to be playing for the Big Man upstairs.”

As the Hilltopper softball team continues their regular season play, keep up with their game results, Heartland Conference standings, and NCAA Division II softball rankings at the following links:
St. Edward's Softball
Heartland Conference Softball
NCAA Division II Softball Rankings

Interested in the Bible verses listed above?  Click below to read the full verse:
1 Corinthians 13
Proverbs 3:5-6
                 

Homecoming Week 2011---Team FCA!

Audio slideshow

View more webinars from mbard15

Combined Bible Study---Modesty and Encouragement Workshop!

The ladies usually have our Bible Study on Sunday nights and we dive into the Word with our sisters in Christ.  This week we did something a little different and invited the guys to come fellowship with us! We wrote letters to each other about the things we like about our Brothers and Sisters and helped each other out when it comes to temptation!  God did awesome works once again---He never ceases to amaze me!  He has put the most incredible group of people in my life at St. Edward's!

Below are video recording of the letters we wrote to each other:

God Bless and have an amazing week glorifying God in everything you do!

Mer :)

P.S.

We began our quest for the coveted Topper Cup with the Kickball tournament to start off SEU Homecoming Week 2011.  Our organization started off with a win and are hoping for many more in the competitions throughout the week!

Chris August-Canyons

I ran across this song today and absolutely fell in love with it the first time I listened to it! I hope you enjoy :)

Chris August-Canyons

STV- Case Keenum

Rave and Worship!

Tonight we had another successful jam session with our amazing Praise and Worship Band!  Everything was acoustic and the Lord was definitely at work with our Huddle! We welcomed Adrian Thomas into our family, as Jake Ridley will no longer be our Area Representative.  We are so excited to get to work with Adrian and get to know him better!  God has amazing works in store for our organization.  Have a great week glorifying the Lord in everything you do!

"Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanskgiving, let your requests be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6

God Bless,
Meredith

P.S. This is one of the many amazing songs sung tonight!

What Do I Know of Holy-Addison Road

Welcome!

My name is Meredith Bard, an avid member and leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at St. Edward’s University.  I am a junior majoring in Communication with specialization in Media Arts and Broadcast Journalism.  I play volleyball on the Hilltop, #15, and love every moment of it! Fear the Goat!

FCA has been an important part of my life since my middle school days in El Campo, Texas.  FCA is a place where Christians, ordinary people like you and me, can come together in fellowship and glorify our Heavenly Father.  St. Edward’s FCA is a unique experience for all.  A common misconception is that you must be an athlete to participate.  If that’s what you think--wrong!  Everyone is invited and welcome to participate.  You don’t have to be an athlete or a devout Christian to enjoy spending time with an amazing group of people! 

We are the only Christian organization sponsored by student-life on campus.  We meet every Wednesday evening for a fun time--games like Ultimate Frisbee, Dodge Ball, Human Tic-Tac Toe, Line Soccer, and much more.  After games we have a message led by members of our leadership team.   Once a month we rock out with our cross out!  We gather for Praise and Worship led by a band of some of our fellow St. Edward’s peers that are talented musicians.  If you want to get to know God on a more personal level, join us for Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies where we gather with others to dive into God’s Word.  Outside of our organized meetings, we hang out at game nights and other events like bowling to get to know each other better.  Our FCA is a great place to make friends for a lifetime.  Don’t be intimidated if you walk into a group of 30 to 40 college kids running around like crazy playing strange games.  Give us a chance and I can almost guarantee you will be coming back the next week!

Our mission is to share the Light of Christ on St. Edward’s campus and throughout Austin.  We are involved with the St. Edward’s community and participate in community service projects around the Austin area.  Last semester, we mulched the trees and greenery at Zilker Park and this semester we are participating in Teeny Topper Olympics, Crop Walk, The Big Event, and are pairing with Campus Ministry to sponsor Christian Unity week on campus. 

As a member of Greater Austin FCA, every spring semester many of our members participate in FCA College Advance--a gathering of FCA Huddles from many Texas universities for one amazing weekend!  It is a great experience and you’ll get to meet some of Texas’ most well-known athletes.  Although you may watch them on ESPN, they are normal people who love God just like you and me!

This blog will keep you up to date with events going on with St. Edward’s FCA as well as other blog links and resources about FCA, Christianity, and athletics.

Interested in this awesome organization?  Stay tuned for more posts to see what we are up to, or better yet, take a study break and come visit us this Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. in the Recreation and Convocation Center!

Your Sister in Christ,

Meredith

Check out the following links for more information about FCA and St. Edward's Athletics:

Greater Austin FCA

Team FCA

FCA Sharing the Victory Magazine

St. Edward's Athletics