A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the lives this organization has touched, while honoring the memory of michael caffey and coach John lotz for their participation in this organization.
Whereas, on November 19th, 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) was established in Norman, Oklahoma, by Don McClanen, in order to spread the message of Christ among our athletes and young people across the country; and
Whereas, ever since that time, FCA has served as an indispensable organization for promoting the moral and character development of young athletes and aiding them in their Christian faith across America; and
Whereas, FCA's presence on middle school, high school, and college campuses across North Carolina has served to bolster the efforts of our teachers and staff to improve the development of our students; and
Whereas, FCA honors the four Christian values of Integrity, Service, Teamwork, and Excellence, striving to assist its charges in displaying these values in their conduct both on and off the playing field; and
Whereas, FCA has imbued many young people of this State and this country with the spirit of Christ and the Christian faith, fostering their religious development and improving their communities through strengthening the bonds of religion; and
Whereas, FCA has encouraged strong bodies and strong hearts for the young people under its charge, encouraging exercise and sportsmanlike conduct within the framework of the Christian faith; and
Whereas, through 60 years of service, FCA has done much to improve the lives of everyone in our State through its mentorship of our young athletes and other students; and
Whereas, Michael Caffey of Rocky Mount was a man of God with integrity who loved serving his Lord, loved serving and giving his life to others, and loved FCA and supported its ministry with his time and finances; and
Whereas, Michael Caffey's deep commitment to God was seen in all areas of his life, particularly while serving as an active member of the FCA and its ministry to athletes and coaches in local schools; and
Whereas, as a member of First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, Michael Caffey helped to begin Sonlight Basketball by conducting Christ‑centered basketball camps for inner‑city children in Rocky Mount and Brooklyn, New York, and continued to foster the mission of FCA through his service at other churches in Rocky Mount, including Englewood Baptist Church and NorthSide Community Church; and
Whereas, Coach John Lotz, a former head coach at the University of Florida and a longtime assistant coach to Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was also an FCA leader; and
Whereas, John Lotz, in his work as a coach, served as an example of the local good works of FCA by displaying the leadership and mentorship qualities necessary to instill in our young people respect for the Christian faith and discipline for the game and for their moral character; and
Whereas, it is the hope that many of our young people today will benefit from the examples of coaches and leaders like Michael Caffey and John Lotz through the work of FCA; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the work of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which has molded the young men and women of this country into blessed citizens worthy of praise.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives acknowledges those who, by their work, have helped shape the Fellowship of Christian Athletes into the organization that it is today and have served as coaches, teachers, and role models to the students with whom they have worked.
SECTION 3.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of Michael Caffey for his dedication to faith and athletics both in serving as an inspiration to the young people with whom he worked and his efforts in setting up and organizing Sonlight Basketball in North Carolina and elsewhere in the United States.
SECTION 4.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of Coach John Lotz for his work and teaching, especially in North Carolina, and for his devotion to faith and to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' mission of assisting our young people on and off the playing field.
SECTION 5.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.