Once you have contacted the coaches, ask them if you would be able to speak to their team. Assure them that you will be brief, and primarily want to let athletes know that you are available as a resource to them. Most coaches will be willing to give you 5-10 minutes at the beginning or end of a practice. You will want to have practiced a 3-5 minute presentation (ideas below) and have a response card with writing utensils (see download option below). Get there early and be prepared for unexpected changes (or even that they don’t remember you are coming). Give your presentation, pass out the comment cards, collect them and leave. If there is an athlete on that team involved with AIA, you may want to have him or her give a brief testimony. You could also bring another student-athlete, if there isn’t anyone on the team that could do it. Make sure to BE BRIEF and to thank the coach afterwards.
Sample Team Meeting Format
Intro: Athletes in Action is an interdenominational Christian sports ministry. It is made up of professional and collegiate athletes worldwide who have found meaning and purpose in life through a personal relationship with God. Some of the resources we offer to you are summer competing tours, summer camps and projects, winter retreats, and small group Bible studies.
Athletes in Action works alongside the athletic department to be a spiritual resources to you. We have found that many athletes are curious about God and what it means to have a personal relationship with Him, yet they don’t know where to turn to have their questions answered. No, we don’t have all the answers. But we do have some perspectives on life and eternity that you may find to be very helpful.
Closing: Thank you for your time today. Before I go I’d like to get some feedback from you. Please take a minute and fill out a comment card. Name…Address…Phone Number…
Please include a comment, whether positive or negative. Your comments will help me better meet the needs of other athletes.
Thanks again for your attentiveness and your time.
Follow up phone call (to those who filled out the Team Meeting cards)
Hello…is Interested Athlete there? Great…this is _____ . Do you remember me from speaking with the team the other day? I’m calling you because you indicated you would be interested in talking with someone about developing or growing in a relationship with God or you would like more information about how you can get involved with AIA . I’m going to be around campus this week. Is there a time we can sit down and talk for a bit? What day is best for you?
Thursday is good for me too. What’s the best time to meet? Great. How about we meet at 11:30 over at the Hub? I’ll be sitting near the back wall next to the little water fountain. Probably eating a monster sized bag of French Fries. I’ll save some for you.
Call me at xxx-xxxx if anything comes up or you need to change the day or time. I’m looking forward to talking with you. Later.