Eagles football celebrates “what it’s really all about”

Members of the Carson-Newman University campus community gathered on the banks of Mossy Creek as 18 Eagles football players made decisions to be baptized in the historic waters. Players lined the waterway in support of their teammates. Officiating the Aug. 20 event was Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ (FCA) Area Director Marty Blakely and FCA’s Lakeway Ambassador Alan Duncan, as well as Drew Eudy, congregation pastor at Mossy Creek Fellowship.

The event, though unusual on a college campus, is one embraced by Carson-Newman and its athletics program. “Our number one goal is that we want to graduate these kids, but more importantly we want to develop young men of Christian faith,” said Head Football Coach Ashley Ingram, who begins his second year at the program’s helm. “This is really what it’s all about,” he said looking around at those gathered. “I couldn’t be more excited for them as they start their walk with Christ.”

For over a decade now, the gathering has become a campus tradition as student-athletes follow Jesus Christ in believer’s baptism. The previous week, three women of C-N’s volleyball team also made decisions to be baptized in Mossy Creek.