PALM BEACH COUNT Y

Welcome to The HUDDLEWelcome to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ newsletter about people, happenings and success stories from our Palm Beach County chapter. We call it The Huddle because we hope it will become a place where you gather to receive inspiration to make a difference in the lives of our coaches and athletes.

SPRING 2020

From the Leaderboard: Giving Begins at the Top – Of My HeadThe last few months or so have certainly been interesting times. Many things have been halted, and are slowly coming back online, but organizations like Fellowship of Christian Athletes are more active than ever, as we minister to students, families and coaches.

Despite school closures, FCA-PBC remains a constant in the lives of student athletes. This spring, coaches are seeking assistance for student family needs, which include the basics of survival, such as food. FCA chapters are the hands of Christ; we minister and care for a variety of needs. Times have changed since many of us grew up. Although our work continues, some of our key fundraising events have been discontinued or postponed. Simply put, we need your help. So, as the leader of FCA-PBC, I decided to seek support using a unique appeal. I chose to shave my head to inspire supporters to give.

By my fundraiser ’s end, we had raised more than $22,000 -- so my daughter, Abby, gave me a mohawk with FCA shaved into my head. (see pictures) Thank you for the support and the fun!

With highest admiration, Steve Scalici

What ’s Inside

Page 2: The Defenders: A Calling to Share the Message of the Lord

Page 2: The Playbook

Page 3: First Round Pick: Dylan Tosto

Page 3:Goals, Gains & Wins

Page 4: Good Works: Coach Profile Barkley Wyckoff

Page 4: Join Our Team

THE HUDDLE

The Defenders: A Calling to Share the Message of the LordJim and Annie Erneston were drawn to FCA because they share an important mission: to share the message of God’s redeeming love with young people.

The Ernestons’ children and grandchildren grew up attending Christian schools and playing sports, often with Jim and Annie cheering from the stands. They had the benefit of seeing the love and care of coaches who prayed on and off the field with their kids, teammates and friends, creating the next generation of devoted Christians.

But the Ernestons knew that youth attending public schools didn’t have the same opportunities to hear God’s message from such strong role models as athletes and coaches, and they may not hear it at home either. That’s why FCA is so important to the Ernestons.

“It ’s reassuring to know that FCA is in public schools, sharing the Lord’s message every week,” said Jim. “Annie and I have a heart for young people, especially those who are seeking something, which made FCA a priority for us. Every life is worth saving.”

The Playbook Did you know... that over the last six years, Fellowship of Christian Athletes expanded its school partners from six to more than 30 in Palm Beach County? With your help, we can do even more:

Make your contribution at https://my.fca.org/palmbeachdevelopment

$1,000$2,500$3,000 $250supports staff and resources for an all-school huddle

brings staff and resources into a new high school baseball program

sends a football team to camp

provides a coach with access to 3D coaching

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3)

Formerly a student leader with FCA-PBC at Wellington High School, Dylan Tosto, 20, is currently attending Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Q: What is your sport and position? How long have you played?

Dylan: Baseball. Catcher. I’ve played since I could walk.

Q: How has Fellowship of Christian Athletes helped you become a better athlete and/or person?

Dylan: FCA has helped me become a better athlete/person because it helped change my mentality, as a whole, to glorify God in everything and anything I do, both on and off the field.

Q: What advice would you share with another athlete that you’ve learned from FCA-PBC?

Dylan: I’d like to tell another athlete to pray before/after games, but (do) not (pray) to win. Give thanks to God for giving you the ability to wake up that morning and play or be around the game you love. Also, pray that He will give you the ability to glorify Him no matter what happens on that field/court. A lot of people in this world would do a ton to be where you are today.

One memory about the impact FCA has made on youth stands out in Jim’s memory. He and Annie were holding a bible study in North Carolina and took the children to play a game of football. Along came a van of 16 youth who happened to be from FCA’s Miami chapter. They were athletes on a retreat before heading to college. They asked if they could join the game; but before grabbing the ball, one of the athletes turned to the children and said, “ let ’s pray.”

The way the FCA athletes personified a Christian walk and set an example for the children that day touched Jim and Annie deeply.

“We all have a platform to share Jesus,” said Jim. “But the way kids look up to athletes, that’s a very special platform.”

Jim sees the difference FCA is making at so many levels—coaches sharing with athletes, athletes sharing with team members and athletes sharing with the young. And he sees the connection between the heart of an athlete and Jesus Christ.

“Leadership, integrity, commitment, discipline and community—these are all of the things that are part of knowing Jesus Christ,” said Jim. “And they are the same qualities that FCA is nurturing in our young people to help them become better Christians.”

First Round Pick :

Dylan Tosto

Goals, Gains & Wins: One FCA-PBC goal is to expand into more schools and expand capacity, such as having two staff members for every four public high schools we partner with in the county. Our biggest prayer for FCA-PBC is for additional resources, so we can expand the touch of the gospel everywhere we go in the county. It ’s getting difficult to add on to where we already exist. It ’s time to grow.

(THE DEFENDERS: CONT’D FROM PAGE 2)

Good Works: Coach Profile - Barkley WyckoffPalm Beach County Director Barkley Wyckoff says he can spot a top-rate coach within a first meeting. As the area director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Palm Beach County chapter, Wyckoff is considered the “coach of the coaches,” so he considers it his priority to ensure they have all the support they need to be successful. But before they become part of the FCA-PBC family, Wyckoff is looking for two things in a coach – a great communicator and a great motivator.

“Sports is physical, emotional and spiritual, when you get to the third dimension of it,” he said. “Most great coaches care more about the kids than they do about the sports.”

HIS JOURNEY BEGAN IN COLLEGE, COACHING HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETESWyckoff ’s first coaching job came when he was still in college. A 20-year-old junior, he coached girls’ volleyball at Lower Marion High School outside of Philadelphia in 1992. Juggling his studies in youth ministry while mentoring a group of teenage girls proved to be a challenge, but Wyckoff had true inspiration – “I needed the money. I was paying my way through school,” he said with a laugh.

Join Our Team!Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Palm Beach County6586 Hypoluxo Road #244

Lake Worth, FL 33467

DONATE ONLINE:https://my.fca.org/

palmbeachdevelopment

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FCAPalmBeachCounty

Most great coaches care more about the kids than they do about the sports.

The combination of studying The Bible and coaching remains a foundational part of his life. Wyckoff met the Lord in high school through the Young Life organization and felt called. Now an ordained pastor, he does all of his ministry through FCA-PBC, pouring into the coaches, who then pour into their athletes. In this role for the past six years, Wyckoff also recruits coaches, athletes and supporters to FCA-PBC.

WE IMPACT A WHOLE CAMPUS“With donors, I like to tell them the stories of what’s happening at local schools and as kids are coming to the Lord through our programs. Some of our all-school huddles can be anywhere from 10 to 250 students. The impact we are sharing can really touch a whole campus,” he said.