Adventist athletics directors team up at La Sierra for second conference

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – This summer, athletics directors from nine Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities from around the U.S. and international locales converged on La Sierra University’s campus for four days of camaraderie, learning, relationship-building, and worship. It was the second biannual conference since its organization in 2022.

The North America 2024 Seventh-day Adventist Higher Education Athletics Directors Conference was held July 26 – 29. Activities included outings to Southern California beaches, iconic Catalina Island, and Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains as well as tours of La Sierra’s campus. 

Guest speakers provided inspirational and spiritual insights related to the world of faith-based athletics and addressed key issues relevant to athletics at Adventist institutions, to the wellbeing of student-athletes, and the return on investment in sports. They included former NCAA championship coach Stan Morrison, current chair of La Sierra’s foundation board, Martin DuSold, area director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bob Schindler, director of CEDE Sports, and Bill Arnold, superintendent of education for the Southeastern California Conference. The event was supported with sponsorship from the Pacific Union Conference.

“It is a reminder that we are not alone and can discuss and learn of the challenges that others are dealing with." -- Rod Bussey, Southern Adventist University

An additional event capping the conference included athletics directors and physical education teachers from SDA academies in the Southeastern California Conference and the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. A business meeting was also held for athletics directors whose institutions are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, or NAIA under which La Sierra has held membership since 2011-12.

Athletics directors from nine Adventist colleges and universities pose for a group photo along with guest speakers, academy PE teachers and other attendees of the second biannual North America 2024 Seventh-day Adventist Higher Education Athletics Directors Conference. (Photo: ZSB Productions)

The conferences are important “to understand where are we standing in each institution's athletics journey, and to help each other develop our  programs. Most of us are pioneers in this field,” said Javier Krumm, La Sierra University’s athletics director, a key conference organizer and its current executive director. He is also president of this year’s conference since it was held at La Sierra.

“It is a reminder that we are not alone and can discuss and learn of the challenges that others are dealing with, not only with athletics/sports but also within our institutions,” said Rod Bussey, Southern Adventist University representative.

Nestor Osorio, athletic director at Walla Walla University said he most enjoyed the camaraderie, getting to share ideas and goals, experiences, and the God-centered worship.”

He views sports programs at Adventist institutions as a means not only of recruiting and retaining students, but a pathway for evangelistic opportunities that impact players, coaches and fans.

“Sports provide many things to different people,” Bussey said. Southern offers intramural sports and gymnastics. The intramural program is a part of the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). “I believe, even within an intramural program, it provide s continued development of physical well-being with an emphasis on technical [and] performance skills. The affective component of a person’s development is actualized as sportsmanship, loyalty, discipline, and commitment are emphasized."

"A sports field or court is one of the best places to truly understand a student’s character." -- Javier Krumm, La Sierra University

Noted Krumm, “In my view, a sports field or court is one of the best places to truly understand a student’s character. On the field, a selfish attitude becomes apparent, while a generous spirit shines brightly. In my experience, many athletes go on to hold leadership positions after college because they have faced the challenges of sports and learned the value of teamwork. They gain essential qualities such as  sportsmanship, servant leadership, integrity, responsibility, and respect. These experiences often set them up for  success in various aspects of life.”

For this year’s second conference, athletic directors participated from Andrews University, Oakwood University, Pacific Union College, Southern Adventist University, Southwestern Adventist University, Walla Walla University, Washington Adventist University, and Burman University in Canada.

The SDA athletic directors’ conference was conceptualized in 2020 via Zoom video meetings during the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first conference was held in 2022 at Burman University in Canada with athletic director Ron Schaffer as president of the event. The next Adventist athletic directors’ conference will be held in 2026 at Washington Adventist University led by its athletic director Jerod Lyons.

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