Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Mississippi College Benefits from Zaxby’s Tipoff Classic

Zaxby's Tipoff Classic 2014

Fans are invited to cheer on the Mississippi College Lady Choctaws basketball team at Zaxby’s 2014 Tipoff Classic, and boost support for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on the Clinton campus.

The games begin November 21, with MC, Selma University, Lane College and Lindenwood University squaring off at the A.E. Wood Coliseum.

Led by head coach Paul Duke, the MC women play that Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday November 22 at 4 p.m. General admission tickets are $5 and student admission will be $3 with a student ID card. Each general admission ticket comes with a coupon that fans can redeem at the Zaxby’s restaurant in Clinton.

The Mississippi College Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host a game day rally on November 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the Golden Dome. Former Ole Miss women’s basketball player and coach Peggie Gillom-Granderson will serve as guest speaker.

Established in 1954, the FCA has challenged coaches and players on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ.

Testimonials from Mississippi College student-athletes speak to the value of FCA year-round.

“I am so thankful for the ministry of FCA and how God uses it as a tool for life change,” says MC senior Holly Tupper of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a member of the Lady Choctaws volleyball team. “The (FCA) leadership team has become my family away from home.”

An MC Choctaws football player, senior Tracy Allen of Vacherie, Louisiana says he’s been encouraged by godly men encountered at MC meetings in recent years, including teammates like Sylvain Alarcon and Luke Drake. They “walked the walk and talked the talk,” he said. The FCA, Tracy said, is all about teaching, community and even a little fun.

A men’s soccer team standout and captain, Daniel Lang of Madison is a believer in the FCA that meets every Monday night on the Clinton campus. “FCA has taught me to be the man God calls me to be,” Daniel said. “I learned to be a leader and servant on my soccer team.”

A senior on MC’s Lady Choctaws cross country and track teams, Meredith Johnson of Vancleave, Mississippi calls the FCA her family at the Baptist-affiliated university. “They encourage me, challenge me, hold me accountable and most importantly they show me Jesus.”

Bethany Pigott, the FCA campus director for women’s sports, is delighted her organization is spotlighted in the Zaxby’s Tipoff Classic.

The money raised, she said, will be used to provide FCA college retreat scholarships for students, support resources like Bibles and character training books for teams and assist other campus ministry needs.

Bethany and her husband, Justin, who works with the MC men’s teams, are both former student-athletes at Mississippi State University.

For more information, contact Bethany Pigott at bpigott@fca.org