From the Desk of Jerry Chaplin
By Jerry Chaplin
Athletics Director, Messiah College
About Jerry
Tell Us What You Like Best About Messiah
Posted 4-24-08

"Tell us what you like best about Messiah."  That's the request that I usually make of our coaches and staff whenever we have a candidate on campus to interview for a position in our department (and, thankfully, interviewing for openings doesn't happen all that often!).  It's a way for our staff to easily introduce themselves to the candidate and to say what excites them about this place.  And I always enjoy the answers.

There are many reasons to appreciate Messiah College and working in Athletics here, and the answers reflect that range of good things.  But it seems that the most prevalent answer has something to do with our student-athletes, who they are, how they approach competition and the opportunity to do something special as members of their teams.  Indeed, Messiah student-athletes are extraordinary, and it is a pleasure to serve them.

Our student-athletes may be winning -- the right way -- on the field.  They may be working every bit as hard to be successful in the classroom and contributing to team grade point averages that are among the best in the nation.  They may be planning a service auction to raise money for a charity or organizing a clothing drive to aid those in need.  Or they may be learning life lessons, whether they realize it or not, from coaches whose classrooms are our playing fields, indoor courts, and locker rooms.

Yes, it is Messiah's student-athletes, among many other things, of course, that make this place a great place to be.

We encourage you to come and support our student-athletes as they compete in games and events.  They deserve your enthusiastic support as they are "pursuing athletic excellence" and "developing Christian character" at Messiah.

Go Falcons!