If you can believe it, we have already reached the halfway point of 2024! While this year is flying by, it is important for us as a ministry to reflect on the work that the Lord has accomplished through the various programs and opportunities that have gone on up to this point in the year. In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive recap of the ministry activity that has happened so far this calendar year, to encourage you about the work that the Lord is accomplishing through USG!

Academy Teams

One of the constants for our ministry each year is our USG Academy program. The Academy is an eight-week virtual program that allows participants to grow in their relationships with Christ and as aspiring sport industry professionals through one-on-one discipleship, daily sport industry-specific devotionals through our curriculum, and practical hands-on assignments. You can learn more details about the USG Academy here. 

So far this year, we have had two Academy teams go through the full eight-week program, and two more are coming up in the year's second half. In total, 39 young professionals have completed the eight-week Academy this year. Below is a list of the individuals who have graduated from the USG Academy:

Team 38: Anthony Wedel (Liberty University), Andriejus Simkus-Sukauskas (Canada Games), Christian Light (Liberty University), Jakob Mayhall (Northern Texas PGA), Parker Lovett (LaGrange College), Aaron Magnuson (Pacers Sports & Entertainment), Arnold Haynes (Kutztown University), Carter Stanton (SMU Football), Cole Cameron (Taylor University), Conner Evora (Seminole Boosters), Gage Holder (Taylor University Football), Roland Pilizota (Grand Canyon University), Gabby Webster (University of Northwestern St. Paul), Maria Maroun (Concordia University St. Paul), Anna Hunsinger (Asbury University), Christina Shelby, Grace Normand (Taylor University), Kelsey Luther (Coastal Carolina University).

Team 39: Elijah Bell (University of Minnesota), Marcal Johnson (Wichita State University), Matthew Hecmanczuk (Liberty University), Ben Edwards (Georgia Southern men’s basketball), Derek Bast (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports writer), Nick Peterson (Sporting Kansas City), Richard Martin (NCCAA), Ryan Paddock (University of Virginia), Shane Sinon (Texas A&M men’s basketball), Tyde Coffey (Covenant College men’s basketball), Zach Mayfield (Middle Tennessee State University), Cedrick Joseph (Barry University men’s basketball), Dawson Dean (Oral Roberts University men’s basketball), Grayson Rulon (University of Kentucky), Matthew Faulks (Taylor University), Titus Skistad (Grand Canyon University), Kenzi Brewington (Crown College), Madison Lowery (Valdosta State University women’s basketball), Autumn McGowan, Liz Wood (Covenant College women’s basketball), Ruth Brueckner (Crown College).

Impact Weekends

Upon completing the eight-week virtual USG Academy program, participants are allowed to attend an in-person event called an Impact Weekend. These weekend events are fully funded by USG and provide the participants with hands-on experience both to help them grow in their walks with Christ and as sport industry professionals. Throughout the year, USG hosts a few Impact Weekends at different locations in the United States. Below are short recaps of each Impact Weekend in 2024.

Dallas Impact Weekend- February 16-18:

This Impact Weekend brought together ten USG Academy graduates to Dallas, Texas, for an exciting and fruitful weekend. The group was able to fellowship with one another through a social event at a bowling alley, receive a tour of the University of Texas at Dallas’ athletic facilities and hear from their Director of Athletics, partner with a local Christian non-profit for a service project, and tour the home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T stadium, and hear from a USG member that is working in guest services at the stadium. You can read a more detailed recap of the Dallas Impact Weekend here.

Minneapolis Impact Weekend- June 21-23:

This Impact Weekend brought together nearly 40 USG Academy graduates to USG’s home base in Minneapolis, MN. This particular Impact Weekend was unique because it happened directly alongside the second annual Christians Working in Sports (CWS) Conference. Over the course of the weekend, the participants were able to hear from the speakers at the conference, fellowship with one another through small group discussions, tour the Minnesota Vikings practice facility, and participate in an outreach activity in downtown Minneapolis. You can read a more detailed recap of the Minneapolis Impact Weekend here.

2nd Annual Christians Working in Sports (CWS) Conference

The Christians Working in Sports (CWS) Conference is hosted by Uncommon Sports Group each year in Minneapolis, MN. The conference aims to provide an opportunity for Christians working in college and pro sports to gather together to get connected with one another, get encouragement in their faith, and get equipped for ministry in their roles. This year, USG hosted the second annual CWS Conference on June 20-21. The conference brought together nearly 150 Christians working across the college and pro sport industry, and featured a lineup of experienced and gifted speakers. You can read more about this year’s conference here.

USG Member Opportunities

Thus far in 2024, USG has funded seven spiritual and/or professional development opportunities for its members to participate in. Once participants complete the USG Academy and Impact Weekend, they become members of Uncommon Sports Group. Membership provides opportunities for individuals to receive funding to attend a variety of events including international mission trips, conferences, and conventions. Below is an overview of each member opportunity that has occurred in 2024.

In early January, USG was able to send one of its members, Nathan Doremus, to the 2024 Passion Conference in Atlanta, GA. Nathan currently works at Liberty University as the Assistant Director of Ticket Operations. Read a short testimony from Nathan’s experience at Passion 2024 here.

Later on in the year, USG was able to attend both the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Conventions alongside the men’s and women’s Final Fours, respectively. USG funded a group of ten members to attend the NABC Convention in Phoenix, AZ, alongside the men’s Final Four weekend. You can read a detailed recap of the convention here. USG funded a group of two members to attend the WBCA Convention in Cleveland, OH, alongside the women's Final Four weekend. Read a detailed recap of the convention here.

Earlier this summer, USG funded a group of nine members to take part in an international mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya. The mission trip team spent nine days in Nairobi serving alongside two local partners through sports-focused ministry initiatives. Read a detailed recap of the mission trip to Kenya here.

USG has funded members to a variety of other events throughout the year, including to the Daniel Summit, NACDA Convention, AEMA Convention, and AD’s 4 Christ.

Conclusion

It has been amazing to see the ways in which the Lord has used these opportunities to help young professionals working in college or pro sports to be strengthened in their faith and to assist their professional development.

The funding for these events and opportunities is made possible by USG’s funding operation, Clean Out For A Cause (COFAC). Through the generous donations of sports apparel from countless college and professional sports teams, the COFAC operation can monetize these donations to provide funds for USG’s ministry initiatives. You can learn more about COFAC here.

We are thankful for what the Lord has done through our ministry so far this year, and are excited to see what will be accomplished in the second half of 2024!

If you would like to learn more about Uncommon Sports Group, or get involved with our ministries, tap the link here!