Player Over Program

10/16/2017

MEAGER BEGINNINGS

This story begins at the 2016 Florida High School Lacrosse All Star Game where CCA Lacrosse Coach and Theology Teacher, Adam Bond, coached alongside Scott Rickard, coach and ESE teacher at Immokalee High School. Leading players side by side, Adam and Scott quickly discovered they shared a kindred philosophy for coaching: “player over program”. Their desire to invest in not only the talent but also the character of their young players led to a friendship that soon brought their teams together to play in the next season.

In the Spring of 2017 on CCA’s home field, the two teams faced off in a challenging match. In spite of a 5 point disadvantage, the Immokalee Indians dug deep in the last quarter to defeat the Eagles 9-7. Just as the Lacrosse team does after every home game, they invited their opponent to enjoy dinner with them right there on the field. As they shared a meal, coaches, players, and parents from both schools bonded over their love of the game under the setting sun. After talking for hours and sharing stories, the two teams that began as opponents parted as friends.

I think the point of being human is that when we are confronted with the brokenness in the world, we are supposed to enter into it the way Jesus did and lay ourselves down for the sake of others.

ANSWERING THE CALL

Fast forward months later to September, the entire state of Florida was scrambling to prepare for a category 5 storm–Hurricane Irma. As the storm approached, it took a sharp turn for the west coast, directly toward our friends in Immokalee. A few days before Irma hit, Coach Adam sent Coach Scott an email assuring him that the Calvary Lacrosse family would be ready to help their families in any way they need after the storm passes. After days of wind and rain, entire properties in the area were destroyed, homes suffered severe damage, and for weeks many were unable to return to work. Two weeks later Scott emailed requesting help, he asked if CCA could donate gift cards to local stores to help families get back on their feet. What happened next is nothing short of God’s miraculous provision.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN

Coach Adam sent out the distress call to his players and families and the response was incredible. Families began offering to match donations, friends began contributing, and within 5 days the CCA Lacrosse community raised $10,000 in gift cards. Adam shares about the experience: “Within moments, I began to receive emails and text messages from our families saying they were ready to get gift cards to me without hesitation. By Monday morning, I had students and parents coming to my classroom with bags full of cards...I think the point of being human is that when we are confronted with the brokenness in the world, we are supposed to enter into it the way Jesus did and lay ourselves down for the sake of others. I think this is what it means to be like Christ.”

God promises to do more than we can ask, think, or imagine. And although $10,000 is an incredible gift(!), we can be even more thankful for the ripple effect this will have eternally in both our and the Immokalee community. Thank you to the CCA Lacrosse community for giving us example of what true friendship and generosity looks like in action.

Sources: Medium

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