America
East believes that the student-athletes represent the best and
brightest of each of the conference's nine member universities . In
order to recognize the contributions these student-athletes make to
their classrooms, their campuses and their communities, America East
will highlight a different student-athlete each month over the course
of the 2008-09 school year in a "Best of U." feature.
The third installment of "Best of U.", and first of 2009,
focuses on University of Maine women's basketball junior Amanda Tewksbury and was
written by Doug Debiase of the Maine Athletic Media Relations Office. The Black Bears women just opened up America East Conference play and will host defending league champion Hartford at Alfond Arena on Saturday, January 10 at 1 p.m.
BUILDING IT FROM THE BEGINNING
Amanda Tewksbury came to the University of Maine campus
in the fall of 2006 with a strong belief and faith in her religion of
Christianity.
When Tewksbury arrived she was amazed to find out there
was not an organization for her and fellow Maine student-athletes to discuss
their religion and how it helps shape them in their respective sports.
Being a former member of her high school’s Christian
athlete’s organization, Tewksbury set out to create chapter for the Fellowship
of Christian Athletes on the Orono campus. As with any new project it took a
lot of hard work in the beginning. But through that hard work Tewksbury was able to help create
a local chapter for the national organization in Orono. Today, Maine’s FCA is
helping several Black Bear student-athletes to grow even stronger in their
faith.
“FCA is a national organization that has chapters in
several high schools and colleges throughout America,” said Tewskbury, a 5-9
junior guard on the Black Bear women’s basketball team. “I started it my
freshman year on campus. I was surprised that there wasn’t an FCA or Athletes in Action on campus when
I got here. I didn’t do much about it early on, but then I realized I could
start it myself. I wanted to bring student-athletes together who shared a
common interest with me."
“Basically, FCA is a resource for the athletes and
coaches on our campus to come and talk about how our faith in Christ and how it
connects with our sports and how it can guide us through our them. We talk
about what God has given us in terms of our abilities, our drive and our passion for the sports we
play. We were made to do this, and to be at this moment playing basketball or
whatever sport the respective student-athlete is competing in. He wants us to
compete as hard as we possibly can, but to do it for Him because He has given us this
incredible ability to play sports.”
Tewksbury admits the toughest obstacle in the early
stages was getting people aware of the organization. When her and other
student-athletes started the initial meetings, the FCA was not considered an
official organization on campus. By not being an official group the FCA was given low priority in
acquiring a weekly meeting room throughout the campus. With the help of
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship -- a Christian group on the Maine campus --
FCA was able to work out a regular meeting schedule and go through the process of being an official
organization. After a year of working with the University, the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes became an official organization on campus.
“It was hard to get people aware of it in the initial
stages,” Tewksbury admitted. “We had to advertise it, so we set out doing a lot
of that. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship was a big help in guiding us through
the process of becoming an official organization on campus. The whole process of becoming an
official group on campus took about a year, so while we were working on that,
we continued to meet as a group to strengthen our foundation.”
The number of members was small in the beginning. There
has been a gradual rise in the numbers over the ensuing years, but Tewksbury
would like to see more people take part in this very special group. However,
the number of members is not her barometer in measuring the early success of the young
organization.
“I try not to focus on the quantity, but rather the
quality of work we are doing in the organization,” Tewksbury said. “I think we
are continually making strides because of the help we are providing for the
student-athletes and coaches on the Maine campus. The people that are part of the group enjoy
coming to our meetings, discussing topics that are important to them, and
growing stronger in their relationship with God everyday.”
In addition to working with the local chapter of FCA,
Tewksbury has been active in the surrounding communities in helping to spread
the word of her faith and how it has impacted her life. An education major,
Tewksbury enjoys working with kids. Some of the local groups and schools she has spoken at include
Bangor Christian School, Bangor Baptist Youth Group and Open Door Youth Group.
“It’s an awesome experience,” Tewksbury said. “I really
enjoy speaking with youths who may be looking for guidance or a person to look
up to.”
In addition to the public speaking appearances, Tewksbury
also takes time to write for “Doulos,” a Christian journal that was started on
the Maine campus last year.
“I have always loved to write and I thought this was a
really great opportunity for me,” Tewksbury said. “Through my writing, I feel
I’m able to let people know of my struggles and how Christ has helped guide
through them to become a better person.”
Tewksbury has numerous goals that she would like to
accomplish in the future. In addition to achieving those goals, she definitely
wants to continue helping to spread her belief and faith to those who are
looking for it.
“I’m very passionate about my relationship with God,”
Tewksbury said. “By speaking about it, I hope to encourage other people to find
their faith.”