Anyone who's involved in sports in any capacity knows that the actions you witness in the locker room, gym, sideline, or team meeting are not always representative of Christ's behavior. The question is this: When God calls you to these spaces, how do you maintain a pure heart and life in the realm of sports? In this episode, Bryan Driskell, Notre Dame Football Analyst and Owner of Irish Breakdown, discusses the importance of Christian accountability, upholding faith in secular atmospheres, prioritizing family in sports, job transitions, and more. 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 .

You believe in a God who died for you.  Let that sink in. He is the pure and spotless Lamb who was slain. Picture Him…  Scourged. Bloody. Bruised. Broken. Beaten. Mocked and nailed to a tree. Why would He endure this suffering? Why did He come to earth?  He came to give His life for you. He came as a ransom, a payment for your freedom. He came for you to see His great love for you that He was willing to pay the most costly price. He held the power over death, yet yielded His life to it that you would not have to suffer separation from Him. The same passion that burned inside of Him, the zeal that led Him to the cross, is the same longing that churns in His heart for your love and affection today.... Look at the marks on His hands and the wounds on His side. These marks say, "I love you." The scars say, "I've never stopped loving you…yesterday, today, and forever." I often resonate with Mary Magdalene, who came to the tomb after Jesus's death, not knowing what she'd see. Weeping, she waited at the foot of the tomb, wondering where they'd taken her Lord. Mary loved Jesus; she'd followed Him and been set free because of His kindness and power. Jesus became everything: her life's love and her most prized possession. Now, that body was taken from her. Weeping, she stooped low, not knowing what she'd see…  John the Beloved writes, "Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher)." John 20:14-16 Can you imagine the hope!? The wellspring of joy bubbles up as her eyes are opened to her Jesus, crucified and RISEN! He's alive, He's alive, He's alive…Her heart must've run wild with love and life! Oh, but what did Jesus feel in that moment? Noticing her great sorrow and seeing that in an instant, with just one glimpse of His risen body, all of her tears vanished. Every fear, every question, and every concern was healed and relinquished just because He was alive. Thank you, God, HE'S ALIVE!  This is what He came for…This is what He paid for. He came for you and me to realize that this God whom we serve gave His body over to complete and utter suffering. He bore the shame and the sin, and He took on everything! He journeyed to the lowest place possible, and now He is the name above all names. He's the only one worthy to pay for your sin. He's the only one worthy to stand before the throne. His sinless life bore the weight of humanity's sins. Punishment on His skin for your freedom. In His life is your LIFE, in Him is your victory, and in Him is the most profound love you'll ever encounter.  There will come a day when the Lamb will be the light, and we will always be with Him. ( Rev. 21:23 ). Until that day, He's poured out His Holy Spirit so that we may always overflow with His presence. He desires us to be near to Him. As He suffered on the cross, He desired nearness. As He rose and revealed Himself in the garden, He desired nearness. He desired nearness as He broke bread and shared a meal with the disciples. As He poured out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost, He desired nearness. Daily, what does He desire from you and me? Nearness .  Here's a question. Has the revelation of the cross changed everything about you? Do you know that your life is not yours, and He is worthy of your complete surrender and trust? Look at Him. Look at the scars, the marks. The torment He felt in His earthly body was nothing compared to the thought of eternal separation from you. So, He did what no one else could do to pay for you. You've been bought at a very high price. When you stand before the throne and come before Him, it's not your blood but His blood that deems you worthy. When you preach the gospel, you're not proclaiming your goodness or works - you're praising His! HIS works and HIS perfection! Let this freedom and joy wash over you today.  Here's another question. Why do you do what you do? Daily, what is the purpose and motivation behind waking up, spending time with Him, eating breakfast, going to work, working out, loving your family, calling your friend, posting that picture… What's the purpose? Does all of our life flow from the realization that only one is worthy, and He's worthy to have and enjoy all of us and our lives? Are you burning with a longing to love Him and to love His people?  He's after all of you . He didn't pay the price on the tree for just a devotional time in the morning. He deserves all of your life. Selfishness, greed, self-preservation…all of these things can thwart our understanding of the gospel. He died that we may live IN HIM…We don't follow Jesus and our career ambitions. We don't follow Jesus and orchestrate our schedules or agendas. WE follow Jesus, period. He is trustworthy and perfect, and only HE is the way, the truth, and the love.  Human accolades, perceptions of man, followers, performance, and worldly success do not equate to worthiness. His hands, feet, and life scattered on the cross, His resurrection from the grave, His life poured out, His Kingdom come. He is ALONE worthy.  Wherever you're at today, I encourage you to surrender. I'm doing this with you as I type this… There's a fresh opportunity for the mercy of God to pour out into your life and open your eyes to the revelation of His Son. Repent. The Kingdom of God has come. Lay down all ambition, concern, pride, and lust at His feet. Allow His Holy Spirit to wash you clean, His Word to rejuvenate you. Walk with Him. Talk with Him. Learn His heart for you and His people.  His heart was torn, and your love mends it. Tend to His heart today by giving Him your entire life. Enjoy the delight of the Father rush in as He consumes all that you are and all that you become.  If you would like to learn more about Uncommon Sports Group, or get involved with our ministries, tap the link here !

This past week, Uncommon Sports Group travelled to the annual NABC Convention alongside of the Final Four weekend in San Antonio. USG provided nine of its members with the opportunity to receive funding to attend the convention. Each of these individuals is pursuing a career in college basketball coaching, and is seeking to serve Christ through their careers. Attending the NABC Convention is impactful for these young coaches because it allows them to network with and learn from other coaches in the industry. USG staff arrived on Thursday to connect with the group and other coaches in the industry. On Thursday evening, the staff led a Bible study on Mark 12:28-44. This was a great opportunity to read and discuss the Word as a group. A challenging discussion from the study was on the two greatest commandments that Jesus gives in verses 28-34. The group discussed how these two commandments can be lived out practically amidst the challenges of working in coaching. After Bible study, the group shared a meal and fellowship together. On Friday morning, the staff led a time of corporate prayer at the convention center with a group of coaches. It was such a joy to see coaches gathering to commune with the Lord through prayer, especially in a public setting. It is important to reflect the heart of the early church, which made corporate prayer a priority (Acts 2:42). The weekend was filled with opportunities for the USG community in attendance to fellowship with one another, grow as professionals through the opportunities offered at the convention, and grow in Christ through studying His Word in prayer. The Lord is certainly moving through the industry of college basketball, and it was a joy to witness Him at this event! Are you interested in being connected to a group of Christians working in college or pro sports? Learn more here about getting involved with Uncommon Sports Group!

Are you longing for deeper intimacy with the Lord? Do you desire to witness the Great Commission mentioned in Matthew 28:16-20 flowing through your life in the sports industry? Is there a hunger to walk in reverence and holiness by His Spirit? If the answer is yes to the questions above, this is the podcast for you. In this episode, NFL chaplain, traveling speaker, pastor, and author Greg Hendricks discusses a healthy fear of the Lord, the Great Submission, consistency in pursuit of the Lord, and the absolute necessity of knowing the "Playbook" of life. 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 sports industry? Learn how you can get involved with USG here .

In the sports industry, it's easy to fall into the temptation of finding significance and identity in a job title or having a certain successful brand, logo, or accomplishment attached to your name. But what holds eternal value? In this podcast episode, we dive into the importance of a healthy work environment, riding oneself of ego, and focusing on what truly matters. Jared Goldberg, Head Men's Volleyball Coach at The Master's University, shares his nontraditional coaching route, valuing a healthy work environment over the logo, prioritizing family in sports, being present where you're planted, helpful career tips, and more. 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 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 .