Years after the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) was discontinued at Southern Lehigh High School in 2018, the club returned to SLHS this semester. The organization aims to promote good character, discipline, and motivation among students. They also hope to provide a space for students to connect and explore their religious faith.
FCA is a non-denominational international organization that public school students, teams, and other sports organizations can join. It was created in 1954 by Northeastern Oklahoma A&M basketball coach Don McClanen. Today, the organization has over 17,000 certified clubs in more than 60 countries.
“It is my hope that we’ll be able to reach lots of kids and be able to spread the word,” said junior FCA member Sydney Young.
While the club mainly comprises student-athletes, there is some disagreement between members, presidents, and teachers regarding whether you must be active in a sport. Regardless, it is clear that many people from different backgrounds are more than welcome to join.
“We actually highly encourage anyone to join; some of the leaders of FCA even don’t do school sports,” said junior president Malachi Haney. “However the club does have sports themes and is during school hours so that athletes can make it as well.”
The club plans to conduct Bible studies and group discussions during Spartan Period meetings on Day 4 in room 183 with faculty advisers Mr. Michael Fay and Mr. Joseph Briesch. Club leadership has also expressed interest in bringing in guest speakers. One idea that has been discussed at club meetings is reaching out to collegiate and possibly even professional athletes to speak to club members, connecting the themes of athletics and religion.
“I believe that a student should join this club because we believe that the best way to live your life is with a relationship with God, and that is what we teach about from the Bible during Spartan,” said Haney. “This Spartan is fun, and we get to do games after and sometimes have candy.”
It is important to note that different people have different relationships with God and what they choose to believe in. While this journey can be challenging for some, others find comfort in hearing the stories of others.

Some teachers at Southern Lehigh have also gone through personal struggles in their relationships with God, stemming from childhood experiences.
“I became Christian at the age of 6,” said Mr. Breisch. “I grew up in a Christian family, I went to church, and I didn’t really know exactly what it meant at that point, but I accepted Christ into my heart, and from then on I always lived for him and lived my life to serve [Christ].”
Mr. Breisch believes that fellowship is very important, so it is crucial to have a space for students to meet in small groups to motivate each other.
In reference to the fellowship offered in the club, Mr. Breisch quotes the Bible verse Psalms 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”