Editor’s note: Author Dylan Sulcer, a sophomore Public Relations major from Brentwood, Tennessee, is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
At 7:31 p.m. every Tuesday in 2056 Fieldhouse, UT Martin student-athletes gather
to grow in their faith, enjoy a little friendly competition and create a lasting community.
No matter the attendance numbers each week, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leaders are committed to equipping players with tools to become witnesses of Jesus on their teams.
“FCA is an hour-long meeting once a week. But a teammate is around their team nearly 24/7 every single week,” says Jodie Duncan, director of Event Management for UT Martin Athletics and FCA’s chapter advisor.
Duncan has been the advisor for FCA since 2020.
She competed on UT Martin’s softball team and was a part of the FCA leadership board all four of her undergraduate years. As a former student-athlete, Duncan understands the mission and impact FCA holds across campuses and cares deeply for UT Martin’s chapter.
FCA is one of the only religious organizations on campus that is not tied to a specific
denomination. Duncan explains that FCA offers a unique opportunity for student-athletes to
learn about the basic principles of the Christian faith. Athletes are able to grow spiritually,
emotionally and physically as they learn more about who God has created them to be on and off the field.
FCA’s weekly meeting is composed of a devotional tied to the series they may be on and
competitive games like spikeball and beach volleyball.
During the fall 2024 semester, FCA student leaders are going through the fruits of the spirit, found in Galatians 5:22. Embodying the nine fruits of the spirit that demonstrate Jesus’ character and understanding the love Jesus holds for everyone is one of Duncan’s missions this semester.
Coming up, FCA leadership is looking forward to finishing the semester strong by hosting a fall bonfire night full of s’mores, hotdogs and truth before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday breaks.
“Just a night of fellowship in the crisp fall air,” says Duncan, who wants to leave athletes
inspired as they go back home to shed light during the holiday season.
FCA leadership not only creates change in the hearts of athletes around campus and sports teams as a whole but also desires to take the impact further.
Duncan explains how their “goal is not for spectacular one-hour meetings, but for a life change that happens in the everyday ordinary lifestyle of a student-athlete.”
