COACH PAUL ‘BEAR’ BRYANT PHONE CALL TO GENE STALLINGS ON FCA

In 1965, a young military looking coach named Gene Stallings left Coach Paul Bryant’s staff at Alabama to become the head football coach at Texas A&M.

"One day I received a phone call from Coach Bryant," Stallings fondly recalls. "He said, ‘Bebes, do you know what is the worst thing that has happened to our football team? It’s the FCA. Those players are doing nothing but hugging on one another, loving on one another and they won’t hit anybody.’"

"After the season that was another banner year for Coach Bryant, I got another call from Coach Bryant. He said, ‘Bebes, do you know what is the best thing that has happened to our football team? It’s the FCA. It has brought such a oneness and closeness to our team. We were unified because of the influence FCA had on our team.’"

Since FCA began at Alabama in 1964, the Crimson Tide has won seven national championships in football. All seven teams have had outstanding leadership from FCA members such as Steve Sloan, Paul Crane, John Croyle, Jeff Rutledge, Steadman Shealy, Jay Barker and dozens of other committed FCA players through the years.

FCA AT ALABAMA...38 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF MINISTRY AND MEETINGS EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 9...Since 1964

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Alabama has become an important part of its storied athletic tradition. In September 1964, eight student/athletes and a sports information graduate assistant met with Pastor Allan Watson in the fellowship hall of Calvary Baptist Church to discuss starting an FCA college fellowship. The church was located across the street from the football stadium.

That became the start of 38 consecutive years (1964-2002) of Wednesday night FCA meetings on campus at 9:00 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters. Only Almighty God can measure the magnitude this ministry has reached in the lives of thousands on campus, the state of Alabama, the nation and the world. Most importantly, hundreds have professed their faith in Jesus Christ through this campus sports ministry.

Preachers are proclaiming the gospel who were impacted by their involvement in FCA at Alabama. Some have become missionaries. Others have entered vocations in business, the medical profession, education, law, coaching and various ministries. Many attribute challenges they received in FCA meetings and opportunities to share their faith for the first time as their launching pad for a lifetime of service to Jesus Christ, their Master Coach.

All-American center Paul Crane (1965) was an example of many who would sign an autograph and write a scripture verse underneath their name. In the early days of FCA, it was a new means of stating one’s Christian commitment and conviction. Once while on an out of town speaking engagement, Paul signed his name with the scripture underneath..."Rom. 1:16." It states, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes."

The next week Paul got a letter from a young boy and it was addressed to "Paul Crane, Paul Bryant Hall, Room 116, Tuscaloosa, Ala." The boy thought Paul had given him his room number.

Many athletes attended FCA camps at Black Mountain, NC. One of which was defensive back/placekicker Mike Dean from Atlanta. Mike had a four-year old brother named David, who roamed the camp site while attending with his family. In 1967, Gary Warner, editor of FCA’s The Christian Athlete magazine, took a photograph of David watching his brother’s huddle group discussion. David was wearing a football jersey with #18 and holding a football under one arm. No one knew at the time that it would become the benchmark photo of influence for FCA.

A tradition of the Alabama FCA has been "Squad Sunday" at Calvary Baptist Church as school begins in the fall. Since 1964 at the special service attended by the football team, a member of the team has been selected for outstanding Christian leadership. He is honored and that tradition has also been ongoing for 38 years. Through the years, FCA presidents James Jeffrey, John Erickson, Dick Abel and Dal Shealy have spoken as well as other FCA giants Raymond Berry, J.C. Watts, Paul Dietzel, Grant Teaff, Clebe McClary and many others.

The "post-game prayer" at the 50-yard line following football games began with the Alabama FCA players in 1987. Tight end Howard Cross attended a summer sports camp in Colorado and met some Penn State athletes. Alabama and State played early in the season and they agreed to meet after the game for prayer on the 50-yard line. Since that time, Alabama has made contact with opposing team players and have met for prayer for the past 15 years. Some moving and unforgettable experiences have occurred during those sessions at midfield. Howard made a bold stand when he became a rookie with the New York Giants and started praying with a few players following NFL games. Sports Illustrated criticized Howard for praying on the field, but the prayer has spread throughout the league as a strong witness. Howard retired after the 2001 season.

FCA meetings at Alabama have included a wide range of programs. Alabama coaches, former players, pastors, musicians, sports chaplains and a host of special guests have stood before FCA meetings and shared their faith. Bible Studies, group discussions, skits, special music and prayer times have been meaningful. In the past two years, Dove Award Artist of the Year Mac Powell of the group THIRD DAY has appeared at Alabama FCA meetings. Mac is a native of Alabama and a huge Bama fan.

One of the rewards has seen many athletes meet their mates at FCA meetings. Mark Gottfried was an outstanding basketball guard for the Crimson Tide in the mid-80’s. He met his beautiful bride, Elizabeth, at an FCA meeting. Eleven years after graduating, Mark returned as head basketball coach and God had blessed him and Elizabeth with five precious children. His evangelical approach to the faith today is a blessing to many.

In the 90’s, FCA at Alabama has been blessed with the outstanding leadership of Jay Barker and Shaun Alexander, both All-American players who proclaimed platforms of no alcohol and drugs, and strongly preached abstinence for which they believed. A book on Jay’s life entitled In Due Time was written by advisor Wayne Atcheson and 62,000 copies were published. Shaun has become the Seattle Seahawks running back and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (12) in 2001.

One of the strengths behind the FCA chapter at Alabama is that it has had only three advisors over 38 years. They include Dr. Charles Barnes, retired Baptist Student Union director from 1964-73, Dr. Gary White, retired Associate Athletic Director from 1974-1984, and Atcheson, former Sports Information Director and now in TIDE PRIDE from 1985-present. All three men have given the group stability, have kept the ministry’s vision alive, and have had a passion to support the spiritual group of young men and women athletes who make their stand for Jesus Christ.

The FCA ministry at Alabama has made its mark, not in championships and titles, but in rewards and crowns that are eternal and everlasting. To God be the glory!