This year the PAC 12 championship was in Pullman, Washington. I stayed at the hotel with the players and led a chapel on Sunday night for the players and coaches. I led them through a study of Mark 4:35-41. The takeaway was “Who is in Your Boat?” The rest of the weekend, the University of Arizona coach, who had attended the chapel, kept saying: “Jesus is in my boat.” So cool!
I also baked 112 of my Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies and handed them out to the coaches to distribute to the players. I attached a sticker with my photo and my Instagram handle in case a player wanted to DM me to connect. It worked as some players came up and identified themselves and having an interest in growing in Christ.
I officiated my first college event at the Mountain West Conference Championship held in Eugene, Oregon. I was asked to be the starter at the first tee. I announced each of the players before they teed off. The event was televised! Some of the names were a little tricky. All the players were men, all the coaches were men, and all the other USGA officials were men. I was given the perfect assignment. I had a face-to-face contact with every player and coach. I was asked to do it again the second day, and then I asked to do it the third day. I stayed at the hotel with the teams, ate breakfast with the teams, and made my way out to the back nine to make rules decisions on the course after everyone teed off. A father came up and told me that he looked me up online. I realized the visibility that I now have. I tried to encourage everyone, and to shine as a light for Jesus. One player from UNLV said this after teeing off: “Holy Spirit activated!”
The college players were very respectful, and I only felt intimidated by one coach, in fact I lost my confidence when he questioned my decision. I got backup on the walky-talkie from the other offiicials, and they agreed with me in my rules decision. This situation highlighted an area of my life where I already know I have a problem, and it is an area where I want to grow. I often cower when I feel intimidated by men. Please pray that I grow in my confidence, courage, and fortitude.
Thank you for praying for me. Next up will be NCAA Regionals in Cle Elem, Washington and NCAA Nationals at La Costa, California.
