Culver, Parker part of FCA event
PHIL CAMPBELL – The Northwest Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes will be having their 8th Annual FCA National Championship Fundraising Banquet on Dec. 6 at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa Conference Center. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Phil Campbell head football coach Bo Culver and Russellville starting quarterback Devan Parker will be speaking at the event along with Rick Burgess from the nationally known Rick & Bubba radio show.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the FCA organization, which they will use to operate on throughout the coming year.
According to the Northwest Alabama division of FCA, the group was first organized in 1954 with the purpose of challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ.
FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in America and the organization focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.
Russellville starting quarterback Devan Parker believes that an organization like FCA can really make a difference in a player’s life both on and off the field.
“FCA really helps with sportsmanship and you can tell when a player is a Christian and is trying to be a good sport and do the right thing,” Parker said. “When you become a Christian, it’s a change of lifestyle. You want to act better and be a better person, which will lead to being a better athlete.”
Phil Campbell head football coach Bo Culver said that since he’s been involved with sports, he can see the impact that a Christian-based organization like FCA can make.
“When you are a Christian, you are held to a higher standard of integrity both on and off the field,” Culver said, “and this integrity and character can only come from Christ. These athletes are respected and well-thought of because of the way they conduct themselves. Everywhere we go, we get compliments on our players and the way they behave.”
Culver said that he was a member of FCA in high school but the chapter at his school wasn’t as involved as he wishes it would have been.
“A group like FCA can be so important, especially for athletes that are at the high school level,” Culver said. “As a coach I have seen the ways a person’s faith can be such a positive influence and I don’t think there’s any greater organization to pour your time or money into because of the strong impact it has on the students.”
Individual tickets for the event start at $100 for general seating. Gold and Silver level tickets are also available at a higher price with Gold level ticket holders being able to hear Rick Burgess speak at a reception at 5:30.
This event is sponsored by Long-Lewis Ford-LM of the Shoals; TNT Fireworks; and Patterson, Prince & Associates.
For additional information about the 8th Annual FCA National Championship Fundraising Banquet, call 256-765-0313 or visit www.nwalfca.org.
