FCA at the 2024 Glazier Football Clinic

Ron Backes • February 13, 2024

This past weekend the Frank Glazier Football Coaches Clinic rolled into Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minneapolis is just one of the 26 clinics that Glazier conducts annually. Frank Glazier is a strong supporter of FCA and provides a free vendor table for local FCA staff at each of their clinic locations for which we are so grateful.


It is so special to experience these "sacred booths". As the Minnesota Coaches Ministry Strategist, I lead our ministry efforts at several coaches clinics in Minnesota. Since the majority of the over 900 coaches who attended the Minneapolis clinic are from all four of the states that make up our FCA Northland region (Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota), we had FCA staff from all four states come to help staff the booth. This weekend, my colleagues and I engaged with coaches, provided a listening ear, gave spiritual encouragement, and shared many resources to help them grow in their faith. Some coaches are long-time followers of Jesus, and some were completely new to learning how to coach by Biblical principles, motivated by the love of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Along with the booth, we hosted a FCA coach's lunch on Saturday featuring John Stigelmeier, former head football coach at South Dakota State University. He retired a year ago, capping off his 44-year-long career with a National Championship. John has long supported FCA and credits FCA with changing life, where he committed to follow Jesus at an FCA coaches breakfast.


John was really on his game on Saturday as he unashamedly professed his faith in Jesus and inspired all in attendance to put Jesus number one in their life. He shared many other wonderful lessons: 

  • Commit your life to Jesus.
  • Praise loudly and correct quietly.
  • Be who you are.
  • Accept and celebrate who your players are. 

It is no surprise that John's number one point was encouraging all to commit one's life to Jesus. He shared that Jesus would change your life, your family's, and your players' lives.

We had around 80 in attendance, and I concluded the lunch program by sharing the Gospel. Several coaches commented how God touched their lives at lunch, and one coach made a decision to give his life to Jesus! That's what it's all about. Praise God and join me in giving Him glory for the entire weekend. Also, please pray for this new brother in Christ and that he would be willing to be discipled by a local FCA teammate.


Thank you to all the FCA staff from the Northland region who came together to make this a true team effort!

Connect with us:

Subscribe to Blog:

Contact Us

Share this story from the field:

Share by: