FSU’s Bowden speaks at FCA spring banquet
Published 2:46 am Wednesday, March 18, 2009
- Florida State head football coach Bobby Bowden, left, shakes hands with Valdosta High football coach Rick Tomberlin during a special meet-and-greet session prior to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ spring banquet Tuesday evening at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center. Tomberlin played for Bowden in the late 1970s.
VALDOSTA — Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden took time off from his busy offseason to visit Valdosta and talk about something he is very passionate about — Christianity.
Bowden was the guest speaker at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ spring banquet Tuesday night at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
The longtime Seminoles’ coach signed autographs and took pictures before the banquet started, then spoke for about 40 minutes to the sold out crowd.
Bowden began his speech by saying how easy it was for him to get to Valdosta since it only takes a few turns to get here from Tallahassee. He then had the crowd laughing by telling stories about old Seminole teams, such as the time when he first began coaching at FSU. Bowden said that when he first started, he received 10 tickets as the head coach to give to whoever he wanted to, but since the Seminoles weren’t very good, he had trouble giving away the last two tickets. He went to get his hair cut and left the two tickets on the windshield. When he came back in an hour he found six tickets on his windshield.
After a few more stories and laughs, Bowden turned his attention to the topic of the evening — getting young people involved in Christianity. Bowden spoke on topics like how prayer has disappeared from school, how Jesus can help young people and the absence of good parenting.
“Nothing is guaranteed, except Jesus,” Bowden said, a statement that drew a loud applause.
Bowden also praised the Southeast Georgia FCA, saying that of all the areas he’s been to, this is the most impressive.
The Southeast Georgia FCA serves seven area counties and is on 22 area campuses. FCA is an inter-denominational ministry that coaches athletes and utilizes them to influence others towards Christianity.
Hal McGregor, the area director of FCA, made the point that only 12 percent of students go to church, while 96 percent of students go to public or private schools. McGregor, Bowden and the FCA’s point is that prayer and Christianity need to be brought into schools, even though Bowden admitted it’s probably not the politically correct thing to say.
Mark Willis, the Lowndes Vikings’ placekicker, was named the FCA’s Athlete of the Year. Willis could not accept his award because he was playing in the Vikings’ soccer game in Moultrie. His mother accepted the award on his behalf.