As a sports professional, everything you do (whether seemingly insignificant or not) is on purpose. The relationships forged on the job, the not-so-glamourous internships, fostering community in the local church—all of it plays a role in God's advancement of the Kingdom. In this episode, Luke Unverferth and Kyle Gaspari, Front Office Sports Professionals, share their unique career journies, provide insight on how to live mission-minded in sports, discuss the importance of spiritual rhythms, and give valuable advice to those entering the field. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

In the vibrant city of San Francisco, where innovation meets tradition, a pressing issue persists—homelessness. Many organizations strive to assist and support this vulnerable population, with thousands of individuals living on the streets or in temporary shelters. One such initiative occurred during the NBA All-Star Weekend when we joined forces with Pro Basketball Chaplains  to offer laundry services, clothing donations through our Clean Out For A Cause program, and meals provided by local church partnerships. One often overlooked aspect of supporting those experiencing homelessness is providing access to clean clothes. Laundry facilities can be scarce for individuals living on the streets or in shelters; thus, offering laundry services becomes an essential part of outreach efforts. For the second year, Uncommon Sports Group has been able to use its Clean Out For A Cause program alongside the Pro Basketball Chaplains to serve a community in need during the NBA All-Star Weekend. Eight chaplains, along with staff from USG and the local church community, met the needs of a displaced homeless community by providing new shirts, socks, and hats. We were also able to offer laundry services at a local facility. We were also able to provide a fresh meal of chili con carne with the fixings to those in the area as well. Serving over 100 community members during a cold night of wind and rain.  Being able to share the love of Christ with so many in need during this time was as impactful on the staff in attendance as it was on the local community. Ensuring each person we interacted with that Jesus does love them and that these gifts could not be possible without His provisions was a message we could not share enough.  Once again, we had another successful event alongside the Pro Basketball Chaplains. We look forward to serving again alongside them in the near future and bringing a Christ-centered service project to more communities across the country. Thank you for reading and learning more about USG, the NBA Chaplaincy, and our outreach. If you'd like to know more about Uncommon Sports Group , Clean Out for a Cause , or our programs, please contact us . We'd love to hear from you.

One's journey throughout the sports industry is never cookie-cutter. God is creative and masterfully weaves lives together in a way that gives glory to Him through surrender to His Spirit. As believers in the industry, we have an incredible opportunity to learn from people who have gone before us and paved the way for Jesus' name to be exalted in the industry. In this episode, Marcus Sedberry, the Deputy AD/COO at the University of Wisconsin, sits down with us to discuss his fascinating career trajectory, including a stop in the NFL, overcoming challenges during career transitions, and his advice for navigating the sports industry. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

As one navigates the realm of sports, it's easy to be swayed by the needs and demands of the industry. That's why it's essential to prioritize time in the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship with the Lord and believers...even amidst busy schedules. In this episode, Director of Compliance for Grand Canyon University Athletics, Alex Blaser, shares details about her career journey, the grace needed for starting new roles, differences in the industry, and how to stay strong spiritually while working in college athletics. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

Uncommon Sports Group seeks to develop Christ-centered future leaders of the college and pro sport industry. A large part of how USG develops future leaders of sport is by funding its members to attend international mission trips that help develop them in their walks with Christ. In June of 2024, USG traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, with a group of nine of its members and two staff for an eleven-day short-term trip. While in Kenya, USG served alongside local ministry partners in a variety of ways, as well as experiencing the local culture and scenery in Kenya. If you want to learn more about the trip to Kenya, you can read a detailed summary here . Jacob Neu was one of the attendees on this summer's trip to Kenya. Jacob is a part of the USG community and currently works at Taylor University. Below is a testimony from Jacob reflecting on his experience in Kenya: "The Uncommon Sports Group Kenya trip was so fruitful for me in my faith. The opportunity to serve a different culture on the other side of the world does not come around very often. This is why I am grateful for my experience last summer when we helped out at a local school in Nairobi and ran sports camps. It was such a joy to see the smiles on the kids' faces when they were handed a football or playing volleyball. The first few days of the week were spent at the school, we spent another day working with a local church to evangelize in the surrounding community. It was great to be able to see the similarities in the approach to evangelism despite being a 15-hour plane trip away. The coaching clinic was so much fun to be able to worship and discuss the best ways to coach in a God-honoring manner. The discussions were worthwhile and eye-opening. Where some of the difficulties in coaching at home involve a lack of turf or a subpar weight room some of the issues we discussed were finding cleats for a player and making sure we had a ball. One of the best things about the trip and experience was the team building along the way. The relationships built as we served alongside each other were very life-giving despite the physically tiring work. As a team, we studied the book of Galatians with a nightly Bible study. The study was nice way to rest in the evening and debrief the day. While our primary purpose was to serve we also were able to take in the sights of Amboseli National Park where we took a safari guided by our drivers who had provided transportation for us all week long. We saw lions on the prowl, elephants spraying water, and even a glimpse of a cheetah. Our drivers were great all week long, and we got to know them very well. To anyone considering going on this trip, I would highly recommend you consider applying as God is certainly at work at Huduma School, and there is no better way to partner with them than taking time to help serve." Does Jacob’s testimony inspire you? USG is excited to announce another mission trip to Kenya in 2025! This year’s trip will take place from June 19 to July 2. Interested in joining? Apply here by February 8th. If you’d like to learn more before applying, we’re hosting an informative Q&A webinar on Tuesday, January 28th, at 7:00 pm CST.  Register today to join the conversation and have your questions answered!

Uncommon Sports Group seeks to develop Christ-centered future leaders of the college and pro sport industry. A large part of how USG develops future leaders of sport is by funding its members to attend international mission trips that help develop them in their walks with Christ. In June of 2024, USG traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, with a group of nine of its members and two staff for an eleven-day short-term trip. While in Kenya, USG served alongside local ministry partners in a variety of ways, as well as experiencing the local culture and scenery in Kenya. If you want to learn more about the trip to Kenya, you can read a detailed summary here . Will Bale was one of the attendees on this summer's trip to Kenya. Will is a part of the USG community and currently is an Athletic Equipment Graduate Assistant at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Below is a testimony from Will reflecting on his experience in Kenya: "Before the mission trip, I had never experienced African Christian culture or traveled outside the Western Hemisphere. I vividly remember sitting in a church service on our first Sunday in Kawangware, listening to a sermon about overcoming fear. The central message was based on Psalm 56:3-4: "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you, Lord." Hearing those words thousands of miles from home and feeling them resonate deeply in my heart opened my eyes to the limitless power of the Holy Spirit—a power that connects all believers, no matter where they live.  The hospitality and care shown by the local churches encouraged me to partner wholeheartedly in sharing the love of Jesus with children in the school and throughout the Kawangware community. I felt both challenged and emboldened to carry the Gospel to others, walking alongside fellow believers. The spiritual intimacy within our team further amplified our mission, as we uplifted and encouraged one another in Christ.  I am profoundly grateful for the life-changing experiences of this trip and the ways it has shaped my mindset. It deepened my approach to sharing the Gospel and being a faithful witness to Jesus. The Lord’s work extends far beyond what we can imagine, and I was privileged to witness His glory on a greater scale.  Noah and Erin’s leadership created an environment where each team member could thrive in our interactions—with one another, with the children, and with our partners in Kenya. I hope to continue reflecting the same care and consideration that the believers in Kenya showed me and our team in my own communities here in the United States." Does Will's testimony inspire you? USG is excited to announce another mission trip to Kenya in 2025! This year’s trip will take place from June 19 to July 2. Interested in joining? Apply here  by February 8th. If you’d like to learn more before applying, we’re hosting an informative Q&A webinar on Tuesday, January 28th, at 7:00 pm CST.  Register  today to join the conversation and have your questions answered!

USG member Natalie Osborne, a Doctoral Student at George Fox University, was the second runner-up for the USG's 2024 Fall Reflection Scholarship. Osborne's essay can be read below: Thy Kingdom Come in the Workplace Wayne’s message was relevant to people working in the sport industry because of how easy it is to forget about the Lord’s plan when we get caught up in busy schedules. As I am in a busy season with graduate school, I have found myself rushing through each day without pausing to appreciate the Lord’s hand on my life. Psalm 34:8 says “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” When I reflect on this verse, I am reminded of the moments where I stop and truly recognize the glory of God. Then I think of the moments where I try to create my own refuge in accomplishments, praise, money, or other idols. Although some of these things aren’t inherently bad, we often try to take on whatever challenge we are facing without submitting all things to God. Anything that sits on the throne of our hearts becomes an idol, taking away from the powerful work of Christ and His desire to do incredible things through us. We have a great responsibility to the people in our workplace, not only to accomplish tasks, contribute at meetings, and make a change in the world of athletics, but also to show others the great gift of Jesus Christ. We are also invited to stop and appreciate the Lord’s sovereignty, giving Him the glory and praise in all things. He is a good God that is entirely deserving of this recognition. One challenge that I recognized from Wayne’s message is the calling on our lives to both depend on the Lord for our strength, and give the gift of Christ to others. Wayne used the image of a conduit to explain the responsibility of Christ-followers. He reminded us that a conduit “needs to be plugged into a power source” and that the “role and responsibility is to transfer power to something else.” When I think about my work in the sport industry, I think about the amount of energy it often takes to work hard at my job. Sometimes, I even feel like I have to work harder than others around me so that God can be glorified in my work. Although it is part of our job to pour into others and life selflessly, I was most challenged by the part of this example that showed the necessity of plugging into a power source. I often find myself trying to be a light in the workplace so that others can see the love of Christ, but depending on my own strength and power to do so. Using Wayne’s example, this may look like a charger plugged into a device attempting to give it power, but not being plugged into a source at all. When we think about it like this, it seems ridiculous. However, it is common in my life to forget to submit my plans or projects to the Lord, allowing His strength, power, patience, joy, and love to drive my actions. I appreciated the reminder of the King’s dominion as the “right to possess, power to lead, and mission to accomplish.” Recognizing that we cannot accomplish anything without God is humbling and also empowering. We are so undeserving, but the Lord has given us the gift of His presence as an everlasting source of power. Wayne’s message encouraged me to set intentional times in my day to pray over my work and the people I am serving. I loved his example of praying over the KU campus before going into work, with the ultimate desire for the Lord’s Kingdom to come to the places he serves. I think this habit is also helpful for orienting our minds to what we’re about to do. The more places we enter with the guidance of the Lord, the more areas we allow Him to use us for good. As Wayne mentioned, we have to consider how our actions are impacting other image bearers. Allowing the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and discernment is critical in being the best we can for others. It can be easy to worry about all the things on our to-do list without recognizing that we have an eternal impact on those around us by pointing them to Jesus. When we lean into what the Lord has provided for us through the sacrifice of His son, we are able to share with others what we otherwise could not provide for ourselves. Thank you, Natalie, for participating in the Fall 2024 USG Reflection Scholarship! We are also thankful to our sponsor, Texon Athletic Towel , for making this scholarship opportunity possible for all thirteen of our winners! If you have an interest in taking part in USG's Reflection Scholarship program, be sure to subscribe, or follow us on social for updates on the Spring 2025 Reflection Scholarship .

USG member William Bale, Graduate Assistant with Equipment Room Athletics at Virginia Commonwealth University, was the runner-up for the USG's 2024 Fall Reflection Scholarship. Bale's submission can be read below: Legacy of Encouragement Hearing Mike Linch discuss the power of encouragement resonated deeply with my heart. Even in my limited years in the sports industry, I’ve witnessed the pressure and focus on the results of your work. Over time, you can begin to feel as if you are merely a tool, expendable based on your performance. The pressure to perform is immense, and every mistake seems to be highlighted and magnified through criticism and apparent reproof. In those moments of failure or burnout, the words we all need to hear are words of encouragement. God calls us to face hard and challenging situations in life, but He doesn’t leave us there to simply break us down; He wants to build us up. James 1:2-4 states: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” After experiencing our own trials and hardships, we are blessed with the ability to comfort others going through similar situations. 2 Corinthians 1:4 highlights our ability to reflect comfort to others based on the comfort we’ve received during our challenges. I believe this directly applies to the sports industry, where believers can encourage those around them after enduring such experiences. One common mistake, however, is the belief that we should sit back and wait for encouragement to come to us. Not only are we challenged to bear one another's burdens, as stated in Galatians 6:2, but we are also called to be initiators of encouragement, regardless of whether we receive it ourselves. If we do not see a catalyst for encouragement, Christ gives us the opportunity to be one for others! By being an initiator of encouragement, we can create a chain reaction that empowers others to do the same. Mike Linch began his discussion by referencing Acts 4:34-37, which describes Barnabas as a nickname given by the apostles. Barnabas translates to “son of encouragement.” Mike described Barnabas as someone whom everyone was excited to see because of his uplifting words. His mindset focused on building others up, just as he built up the church at Antioch in Acts 11:23. What I’ve observed most often in the sports industry is the habitual act of pointing out others’ faults and relishing negative talk behind their backs. Resisting this environment and consistently using words to build others up rather than tear them down aligns with Ephesians 4:29. This principle can be incredibly easy to forget when you’re under pressure to conform. I believe my commitment to using my words solely to uplift others—both in their presence and behind their backs—will be challenging because it requires me to stand out. Moreover, gently refuting negative conversations when others engage in them demands a firm resolve about what I will not tolerate. Cultivating this habit can be difficult but is absolutely essential. To live out a lifestyle of encouragement, I need to actively meditate on gratitude. Specifically, I plan to write down each week the name of someone I’ve noticed doing a great job or someone who has been supportive of me. After reflecting on who they are and what they’ve done, I will speak with them in person or call them to let them know I see them and appreciate their efforts. Recognizing others and their strengths can uplift my fellow GAs at VCU, the people in the departments I interact with, and my professors in my master’s program. Writing down my thoughts will help me articulate my appreciation more clearly and provide structure to my expressions of gratitude. I hope to create a legacy of encouragement that transforms the environment around me. However, my goal is to encourage regardless of the outcomes, because that reflects the character I am called to embody. God is a God of encouragement (Romans 15:5-6), and He gives me the privilege of being His hands and feet in spreading that encouragement. Thank you, Will, for participating in the Fall 2024 USG Reflection Scholarship! We are also thankful to our sponsor, Texon Athletic Towel , for making this scholarship opportunity possible for all thirteen of our winners! If you have an interest in taking part in USG's Reflection Scholarship program, be sure to subscribe, or follow us on social for updates on the Spring 2025 Reflection Scholarship .

USG member Alex Kaiser, Account Manager of Partnership Activation at the Charlotte Hornets, was the first-place winner of the USG's 2024 Fall Reflection Scholarship. Kaiser's submission will be featured below: A Life Marked By Encouragement The sports industry is a glamourous and shiny object on the outside, convincing most that it exists that way all the way through. On the inside, though, the few bright places are extremely outpaced by temptation, negativity, and spiritual isolation. This causes many people to become bitter and aimless because of the traps set in the darkness. The ultimate rebuttal to this mindset and environment is to be the ultimate source of encouragement, in the words of Mike Linch, by what we give, what we say, what we do, and how we live. Each of these steps, when considered daily in intentional implementation, have monumental impact over years of repetition that implicitly infect those around you. The nature of the industry causes us to be continuously in our workspaces, covering many nights and weekends. Even if you have external sources to serve as sources of encouragement, it is hard to carry that on when you go through seasons being partially cut off from many of those sources. It is our call to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened to sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13, NIV). It is imperative that we become these daily sources of encouragement to protect each other from the flashy nature of our industry that turns into sin patterns once it moves past the outer layer. Ultimately, if they will know us by our love for one another, the easiest way to bring Christ into our workspaces is to showcase our love for one another in our encouragement (John 13:35). The biggest challenge that this message issued me was a sense of urgency to maximize the time that God has me where I am. It was put forth by Pastor Linch that “God never wastes your time; he never wastes your experiences,” and this message brings with it two important motivators. The first of these is reflective. It would be a waste of your current circumstances to spend it dwelling on where you fell short in your last job or the last season, only preventing you from moving forward. There are lessons to be learned in looking back in where the Lord has brought you through, but it must be approached from this mentality. The second, and more pressing motivator, is to take advantage of where God currently has me sitting. Just as the last stop had an expiration date, this current job is not forever, either by promotion or relocation. Therefore, each day is a new opportunity to determine where you can make your biggest impact. This is further motivated in the following point that Pastor Linch made, in that the Lord “placed me where he’s placed me for a reason bigger than me.” In being motivated to take advantage of my current experience, this point further pushes me to an increased prayer life, as I cannot know why he has placed me here if I do not ask. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “anyone who comes to [the Lord] must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” I am encouraged by these words of Pastor Linch and Hebrews to decrease the distance between me and Jesus to increase the influence that He can have through me where I am in every stop of my life. I have a propensity to set lofty goals for myself that cause me to give up on them long before they receive half of the effort needed to get across the finish line. Given this nature, my goal coming out of this message is simple: I am determined to incorporate one intentionally selfless act in each day in the office. I get by in saying that I generally am giving of my time and look out for those around me. But I want to go further than that; I want my day to be inspired by an act of kind encouragement that I seek out from the moment I step into the office. I hope that from there, my day increases in these intentional acts, creating a ripple effect in those around me. That said, the simplest way to be a Barnabas Mountain is to make sure there is one rock of encouragement placed every single day. Thank you, Alex, for participating in the Fall 2024 USG Reflection Scholarship! We are also thankful to our sponsor, Texon Athletic Towel , for making this scholarship opportunity possible for all thirteen of our winners! If you have an interest in taking part in USG's Reflection Scholarship program, be sure to subscribe, or follow us on social for updates on the Spring 2025 Reflection Scholarship .

It's safe to say that Ben Gonzalez would not be where he is today as the Director of Operations with Georgia men's basketball without building close relationships with industry leaders who were willing to provide him with opportunities. In this episode, Ben discusses the importance of networking and relationships as a sports industry professional and the power of trusting the Lord to establish one's steps. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

The Apostles were noted to preach the kingdom of God with boldness (Acts 28:31). A mark of a Christian is living boldly for Christ and proclaiming Him to others. In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, the founder of M.A.D Ministries, Jerry Steele, talks about living boldly for Christ in the world of sports. A new episode of the Uncommon Podcast is released every two weeks. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, right here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out this episode, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast to get alerts when new episodes are released! Do you want to join our community of Christian leaders working in the college and pro sport industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

On the weekend of October 25-27, Uncommon Sports Group hosted twenty USG Academy  participants in Phoenix, AZ, for an Impact Weekend ! USG offers a fully-funded Impact Weekend for every individual who completes the eight-week virtual USG Academy. These weekends allow Academy graduates to put what they have learned in the virtual Academy into action, such as networking with present leaders of the college and pro sport industry, fellowshipping with other Christians in sports, and being challenged to grow in their walks with Christ. Read a full recap of our latest Impact Weekend to Phoenix   here . One of our participants during the Impact Weekend, Grayson Rulon, is currently studying at the University of Kentucky and desires to work in strength and conditioning. Below is a testimony of his experience during the Impact Weekend: "My trip to Phoenix was life-changing, to say the least! I see why Uncommon Sports Group names this weekend trip an “Impact Weekend.” I joined USG back in May this year and missed my Impact Weekend for Team 39. So all I was thinking was that I joined another club to put in my bios on social media. I obviously learned a lot about being a Christ-centered leader in the sport industry in the future, but I really didn’t think too much about being a part of USG. My coach gave me the chance to go to Impact Weekend in Phoenix, AZ this year in October. After going on this Impact Weekend, I realized the importance of Uncommon Sports Group for my future work in the sport industry as a Christ-Follower. All through the community that I got the opportunity to connect with. “Connected” is one of USG’s three core values. They are committed to Christian fellowship and accountability. The Fellowship on this Impact weekend was breathtaking. I met many people on this trip that are going to be relationships/friendships for the rest of my life.  This Impact Weekend also was very important for Professional Development. Not only did we have tours at Universities in AZ and professional teams, but we also got to sit through panel sessions. Most of the employees leading these panel sessions were also members of USG. I did not realize how many members there are of USG across the country. But these panel sessions were so influential because they showed us that Christians are working everywhere. They really boosted the confidence of all of us on the trip to show us that we are not alone. I was personally very thankful that I got to talk to a couple of the people leading the panel sessions to get connected with the Strength and Conditioning coaches at each of these organizations.  I’m going back to fellowship. 2 Corinthians 6:14 tells us how we are to be equally yoked. It tells us that if we are not equally yoked, the fellowship is unrighteous. It is very hard to find those equally yoked relationships in our day and age. Outside of church, being a college student has made it very hard to find those relationships. Getting involved with USG will for sure give you equally yoked relationships. I evangelized and shared the gospel with a couple of the people on this trip to check to see if they understood the gospel and were saved. I was very thankful that everyone I talked to was indeed saved and had faith in their eternal life in heaven. Especially during the group Bible study we had over Acts 2:42-47. We read about the early church's fellowship with one another. Whether it was eating meals with each other, or just breaking bread together. This taught us that we gained fellowship from something as small as reading God’s Word together. This passage really showed why fellowship with the congregation is mandatory." Seeing how God used this Impact Weekend to challenge, encourage, and grow the participants in their faith and careers was encouraging. We are grateful to Grayson for his testimony and commitment to serving Christ through the sport industry! If you're interested in learning more about Uncommon Sports Group and how we can come alongside you as a Christian in the sport industry, click here  to see how you can get involved.