The university’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is working on a new structure and meeting time.
OCU’s chapter of FCA has existed since 2004 as a student organization where athletes can unite in worship and support.
FCA was struggling last year with time management, membership commitment and an unclear structure in the organization, according to some of last year’s members.
Wrestlers Travon Smith, business junior, Kayla Aggio, physical therapy junior and Cody Sivertsen, education senior, are the leaders of the program. Smith is the president of the organization, with Aggio and Sivertsen as co-vice presidents.
Although there is a hierarchy in the organization, they are running the program as a committee instead of one person being in charge.
Smith worked as a mentor at two FCA camps during the summer and has been using what he has experienced and learned to improve the leadership in the university’s chapter of FCA.
“I’m looking forward to the leadership taking this organization to another level,” said Beatrize Martinez, criminal justice and economics senior and member of FCA.
Smith, Aggio and Sivertsen are working on the structure of the organization so that FCA has a better year, and to make it easier to pass down to new leaders in future years.They hosted an introductory meeting Sept. 11. Aggio said it went well, but they want a new start.
The new meetings have been set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the Leichter Reunion Center in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.The meetings are an hour long and voluntary, but all members are encouraged to attend every week.
Athletic Director Jim Abbott is the adviser of the organization and is a huge support, Smith said. He buys food for the meetings and helps get the word out.
Abbott said he is not involved in the restructure.
“I’m the sponsor, but I don’t know how things are going,” Abbott said. “I haven’t even been in contact with the group.”
Abbott said it is better if the leaders of the organization have complete control.
“Travon Smith is the president and has complete control of the group,” Abbott said.
FCA is working on expanding and encourages students to join. It is open to any student on campus, and doesn’t have any regulations on who can join.
“You don’t have to be an athlete, or even a Christian,” Aggio said. “It’s just about sharing the love.”
Any student interested in joining FCA can attend a meeting, or contact Smith at tnsmith@my.okcu.edu, or Aggio at klaggio@my.okcu.edu.
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