Chaplain update from Cotlar

**dmclone** · 05-31-2007, 10:21 AM

I will say that the FCA is about the best of the bunch when it comes to these groups.

**BryceC** · 05-31-2007, 10:21 AM

If the players are having trouble in their personal lives and need help there are a lot of avenues that they can pursue. They have the same problems as the rest of the students at ISU.

No they don't. Doesn't anybody remember the story about Medders getting ripped through email because the team wasn't performing? I never got an email about my poor intramural performances.

I don't think anybody really knows what he high profile athletes go through at a big school better than the players or coaches. They seem to want this. Give it to them.

**DaddyMac** · 05-31-2007, 10:24 AM

Didn't know - thanks.

**benjay** · 05-31-2007, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Incyte

I would suggest that player find another shoulder to cry on. Unless he's an indiot he should know that a religious person would not be receptive to that lifestyle.

What good is the chaplain if the players don't feel comfortable talking to him about all issues they face? I mean, if this is the case, then I really hope the Chaplain idea is shot down.

**dmclone** · 05-31-2007, 10:30 AM

You're right, every student faces many different problems. I'm sure there are plenty of non student athletes that have 10x the problems as your average football player.

You can point out a few differences but in the end it comes down to most of the same problems.

Can they not use the same support as the rest of the students? Is there something wrong with the current support group that is in place for non-student athletes? What if I want to privately fund a chaplain for non-sports students only? Would that be ok?

**DaddyMac** · 05-31-2007, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by benjay

What good is the chaplain if the players don't feel comfortable talking to him about all issues they face? I mean, if this is the case, then I really hope the Chaplain idea is shot down.

I agree benjay. Such a situation can go two ways, and I've experienced both. You can have a person who is so devout and so sure of themselves, they will force themselves upon you, and what their belief of what you should do - based on their beliefs. I think more often than not, this turns people away.

But more often, as been my experience, you will find people who will try an help and give advice based on their beliefs, and if they can't help because it contradicts their personal beliefs, they will refer to other help.

That sounds contradictory, or even one in the same - so to illustrate (this has been a similar experience of my own). Player X gets girlfriend pregnant. Counselor in situation A will effectively state "you shouldn't be having premarital sex, you have to marry the girl, have the child, quit the team to support them because that's what the bible demands of you, end of discussion".

Counselor B, while perhaps agreeing with the aforementioned solution based on his beliefs, will still realize that there are actual options in the world, explore them openly and honestly, but can still give his opinion and guidance which certainly come from his religious background.

**Incyte** · 05-31-2007, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by benjay

What good is the chaplain if the players don't feel comfortable talking to him about all issues they face? I mean, if this is the case, then I really hope the Chaplain idea is shot down.

I'm sure he can talk to him. However I don't think the chaplain needs to be compelled to speak favorably of lifestyles he finds immoral.

Most people seem to be in favor of the chaplain. I hope it goes through.

**jmb** · 05-31-2007, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by dmclone

You're right, every student faces many different problems. I'm sure there are plenty of non student athletes that have 10x the problems as your average football player.

You can point out a few differences but in the end it comes down to most of the same problems.

Can they not use the same support as the rest of the students? Is there something wrong with the current support group that is in place for non-student athletes? What if I want to privately fund a chaplain for non-sports students only? Would that be ok?

That is awesome DMclone! You have quantified for us student stress in the D1 athlete vesus the average student, specifically the 10x data set-thanks! Was your study funded by the university?

Sheesh-do you not think that that athletes have greater duty, responsibilty, etc than the 'average student'. If Berryman hadn't been a football player would the crime been published? No! D1 athletes have more time committments, stress, expectations,etc than the average student. So providing them greater support is a logical progression.

I have no problems if BGLAD wants to fund a chaplain for those students-cheers to them for recognizing a problem and filling that void. Cheers to FCA for filling the void that our coach has identified and asked for help with.

What exactly is your problem with this?

jmb

**DaddyMac** · 05-31-2007, 10:52 AM

Were you a D1 athlete? Anybody in your family?

**benjay** · 05-31-2007, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Incyte

I'm sure he can talk to him. However I don't think the chaplain needs to be compelled to speak favorably of lifestyles he finds immoral.

He would not have to condone the kid's actions, but I would hope he would be receptive of what he is experiencing either offer constructive help or refer him to someone else who can.

**Kyle** · 05-31-2007, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by jmb

That is awesome DMclone! You have quantified for us student stress in the D1 athlete vesus the average student, specifically the 10x data set-thanks! Was your study funded by the university?

Sheesh-do you not think that that athletes have greater duty, responsibilty, etc than the 'average student'. If Berryman hadn't been a football player would the crime been published? No! D1 athletes have more time committments, stress, expectations,etc than the average student. So providing them greater support is a logical progression.

I wouldn't confidently state that the poor student having to work their way through school and potentially also support children has fewer stresses than our football players. The "average" students are not the ones that seek counseling. Its the ones who are having some problems.

**CYdTracked** · 05-31-2007, 11:01 AM

So I didn't bother reading half the posts in this thread because some of you are all over the place on this. Here are the FACTS:

-Chaplain would be funded by FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
-Chaplain is a guy that Gene himself calls before games so it's someone he knows. Cotlar had his name, can't remember what is was though
-This is completely voluntary, athletes would seek out the chaplain, they would not be forced into talking with him. This is no different than having drug/alcohol abuse counseling, sports psychologist, etc. that the players already have available to use on a voluntary basis.
-Only 10 D1 schools have a chaplain, none of the Big 12 schools do so ISU would be the first in the conference to have one.

With that being said, personally I think this is a great idea and I hope it happens. It's not forcing religion on the players, it's completely voluntary and for those players that seek spiritual guidance I think this would be a great resource to have. I may be a nice thing for recruiting too but that is irrelevant in the big picture really.

**SlyCy** · 05-31-2007, 11:07 AM

I'll say it again although the Chaplain would certainly help the current team it would also be used for a recruiting tool, especially in the deeply religous south. This is why it would be a Chaplain for the south and a supposed Baptist.

This was in an article in the Gazette this morning:

In an e-mail to Iowa State faculty May 18, Pollard wrote that families of student-athletes were concerned about their spiritual guidance and emphasized a need for a chaplain. He also wrote that his decision was ‘‘politically incorrect.’’

p.s. I would really like to see the email that Pollard sent out. MEGA rep points to he who posts....

**dmclone** · 05-31-2007, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by jmb

That is awesome DMclone! You have quantified for us student stress in the D1 athlete vesus the average student, specifically the 10x data set-thanks! Was your study funded by the university?

Sheesh-do you not think that that athletes have greater duty, responsibilty, etc than the 'average student'. If Berryman hadn't been a football player would the crime been published? No! D1 athletes have more time committments, stress, expectations,etc than the average student. So providing them greater support is a logical progression.

I have no problems if BGLAD wants to fund a chaplain for those students-cheers to them for recognizing a problem and filling that void. Cheers to FCA for filling the void that our coach has identified and asked for help with.

What exactly is your problem with this?

jmb

Sure I'd be glad to give you an example. In my freshman year at Upper Iowa my roommate had the following issues in the first semester.

His father committed suicide
He got horrible grades
He came from a poor family
He had mental issues (at least IMO)
He was a minority in a 99% white community
He like to drink a lot
He was from Sacramento and now living in Fayette

Maybe not 10 times the problems but this is the person that comes into my mind when you say athletes have it worse than everyone else.

There is my study. Any questions?

**dmclone** · 05-31-2007, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by SlyCy

In an e-mail to Iowa State faculty May 18, Pollard wrote that families of student-athletes were concerned about their spiritual guidance and emphasized a need for a chaplain. He also wrote that his decision was ‘‘politically incorrect.’’

That is one of the funniest things I've ever heard. Over 80% of Iowans consider themselves Christians . How is hiring a chaplain politically incorrect?

I would say those that appose this situation are the ones who are politically incorrect.