While millions of eyes across the world are focused on the Olympic games, thousands of athletes are preparing for the upcoming CYO season across the diocese.
All in all, about 21,000 athletes participate in CYO athletics with many sports to choose from, including flag football, tackle football, rookie tackle football, soccer, volleyball, cross country, track and field, basketball, cheer, baseball, and softball.
Per their mission statement, “CYO inspires young people to know God, to love God, and to serve God through athletics.”
And while the athletes in France are playing for the gold, CYO athletes are focused on the cross. The “cross initiative” helps CYO programs to recognize what they call “God sightings” throughout their ministry. Not only do coaches carry a clipboard, whistle and a first-aid kit, CYO coaches are all given small wooden crosses to distribute to an athlete when they see a moment of sacrifice and gratitude.
Paul Kelly, CYO director, notes that the initiative helps CYO participants, their families, and coaches see the connection between the sacrifice of Christ and those simple acts of sacrifice and gratitude present in their lives.
One such moment last season was noted by Tanneill Warczak, a cross-country coach from St. Patrick Parish. After the girls had finished their race, they continued to show support for the boy’s team as they ran. “They shouted for their own school classmates, but even cheered on boys from other schools. To me, this shows the true championship spirit that CYO athletics is about.”
“God is everywhere in CYO – God is every athlete, every parent, every coach, every site director, and every official,” said Mary Ann King, CYO athletic administrator.
“I see God in my teammates because they always encourage me even when I’m not doing that great,” said Charles Stepanik, a CYO athlete from Holy Trinity Parish in Avon.
In addition to continuing the cross initiative this season, CYO is also looking to increase the number of female coaches. Incentives for new female coaches are being offered and include program credit that can be used to offset CYO fees for each program.
As noted in their State of CYO materials, “It's critical that girls have plenty of female coaches who are role models, providing not only guidance and leadership, but setting an example of what they can be when they grow up.”
For more information on CYO athletics and how to get involved, visit their website here or contact your parish’s athletic director.