2011 FCA Spring Banquet
April 10, 2011FCA welcomed Coach Eric and Dr. Melinda Wolford as guest speakers for their annual Spring Banquet. Eric and his wife Melinda have a son Stone and a daughter Marlee.
Eric is a 1989 graduate of Ursuline High School. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Kansas State where he was a four-year starter as an offensive guard for the Wildcats. He served as an assistant coach at Arizona, North Texas, Houston, South Florida, Emporia State and Kansas State. He spent two seasons (‘07, ‘08) at Illinois before heading to South Carolina. On December, 2009, Coach Wolford was named the new Head Football Coach at Youngstown State University.
Melinda is a Psychologist with specialties in developmental disorders, neurological processes, learning styles and emotional/behavioral disorders. She currently is an Assistant Professor at YSU. She and Eric established the “No Stone Unturned” foundation. They were inspired by their son, Stone who has CFC (Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous Syndrome) a rare genetic condition affecting around 300 children worldwide. Raising a developmentally challenged child is one of the greatest challenges parents will ever face, yet Eric and Melinda feel God has prepared them for the task and view their son as a gift.
Emily Wollet, a graduate of Canfield High School, was presented with the 2011 FCA Scotford Family Influence Award. She will graduate from YSU in May, 2011 with a Master of Science in Education-Counseling. She received a BS in Education in May, 2009. Emily recently learned that she was accepted for an internship with the NCAA in their Compliance Department, and will begin in June.
Emily has been involved with FCA since her Freshman year at YSU. She was the President of the huddle from 2008-2010. Even after graduating, she continued to support the huddle while she was a Graduate Assistant pursuing her Masters Degree. According to YSU Huddle Leader John DiRenzo, Emily has a gift for “inviting” other athletes to the huddle meetings. She was one of his all-time top “recruiters” for FCA.
While at YSU, Emily was a member of the Track and Field Team. She was a First Team All Horizon League Honoree 2004—2009. She was on the Athletic Honor Roll from 2004-2009 and a Student Athletic Advisory Committee Leadership Award Recipient in 2007. In addition to all of Emily’s accolades you can add one more—she was the 2008 YSU Homecoming Queen. No wonder she won the Vindicator Award for Most Well-Rounded Student Recipient in 2009.
The Larson Family was featured as an "Inspirational FCA Story." YSU Freshman basketball player Fletcher Larson lost his father to cancer a few months before he and his sister Ali were to leave for college. His mother Kim prayed hard as she sent them off to Youngstown, Ohio from Lakewood, New York. YSU Basketball Coach Jerry Slocum told Fletcher about the FCA huddle on campus and its Huddle Leader John DiRenzo. Fletch and his sister Ali began attending the huddle that week.
Kim shared a testimony that had everyone in tears about how she could sleep at night knowing that the FCA family was taking care of Fletcher and Ali as they grieved the loss of their dad this year.
Thanks to our table sponsors: Old North Church, Ironman Warehouse, Church of the ROCK, the Dave Elliot Family, Ken Schenker Family and DiRenzo Family.
Also thanks to our volunteers: Holly Morrison, Kristin Hartshorn, Katie Glatzer and John DiRenzo. FCA "Heart of a Coach" Banquet
April 18, 2010
The FCA “Heart of a Coach” banquet took place on Sunday, April 18th at the Georgetown Banquet Center. Poland High School football coach Mark Brungard was the featured speaker. Bob Hannon, President of the Mahoning County United Way, and long time friend of FCA, was the emcee for the evening.
The night began with a panel representing the “4 C’s” of the FCA ministry—coaches, campus, camp and community.
Coaches: Dave Purins, South Range HS, Head Basketball Coach
Campus: DeVante Hudson, Jr. Liberty HS, FCA Student Huddle Leader
Camp: Dustin Schenker, Camp Huddle Leader
Community: Ken Schenker, Joyce Windows
The panel spoke from their heart as to how FCA has impacted their life. Coach Brungard, who has been involved with FCA since his college days playing football at YSU for Coach Jim Tressel, spoke about the true meaning of a “successful season."
Judd Lutz, a senior at Mt. Union College, received the “Scotford Family Influence” award. The award is given to a college student who demonstrates a commitment to the vision of FCA: “To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches.”
Judd is the President of the Mt. Union FCA. The huddle, meets weekly and is active in service projects. They raised over $3,000 for Relay for Life in 2009, and collected over 4,200 pairs of shoes and raised $3,000 for the “Soles 4 Souls” shoe drive. Most recently they raised over $18,000 for Haiti relief at their “Hugs for Haiti” event.
Judd was named a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy (Division 3 Heisman) given to the top all-around football player in NCAA Division III. This past season he was also named 1st Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference on Defense, and 3rd Team All-American on D3football.com. As a senior linebacker he was Purple Raiders top tackler.
Judd also excels as a thrower for indoor and outdoor track. He’s currently ranked 1st in the nation in the discus throw. He’s an All- American in Discus and Shot put as well as an Academic All-American.
Judd will be graduating in May with a BS in education. He hopes to teach high school math and coach football and/or track.
The evening came to a close with DeVante Hudson asking everyone to hold hands as he lead the group in prayer.
 2010 FCA Banquet Table Sponsors
Church of the ROCK (2)
Coach Jon Heacock
GBS
HBK Sorce Financial LLC
Joe & Bonny McHenry
Ken (the Silver) Fox
Ken & Judy Schenker
Marketplace Solutions
Old North Church (2)
Superior Beverage
Youngstown Christian School
FCA Heart of an Athlete Spring Banquet
Sunday, April 27, 2008
 | Bob Hannon, Joel Penton, Shawn Lazarus and FCA Area Director Lance Hartshorn
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On Sunday, April 27th, former Ohio State defensive lineman Joel Penton and former University of Michigan defensive tackle Shawn Lazarus came together to "Team Up" for Christ at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Spring Banquet held at the Georgetown Banquet Center in Boardman. These two rivals put aside their differences to talk about their common bond--Jesus Christ. Channel 33 Sports Director Bob Hannon was the Emcee for the evening.
The FCA-Scotford Influence award was presented to YSU basketball player John Barber, Jr. (JB). JB, who is from Detroit, Michigan was a Senior forward for the Penguins this past year and is the only player in school history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 70 blocks. He is a 3-year member of YSU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was chosen based on his character, leadership and Christ-like attributes.
 | John P Scotford Jr., Laura Scotford, Sam Scotford, John Barber, Jr. with sister Mary and mother, Denise.
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The Youngstown State FCA huddle surprised their huddle leader, Coach John DiRenzo (Canfield), by honoring him with a book of letters from each of them letting him know how much of an impact he has had on their lives. John has been leading the huddle at YSU for the past three years.  | Huddle Coach John DiRenzo accepts gift from YSU huddlers Emily Wollett and JD Sheppard
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 | 2011 Guest Speakers Coach Eric and Melinda Wolford and FCA Area Director Lance Hartshorn
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 | The Kim Larson Family and Coach Jerry Slocum
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 | Emily Wollet receiving the 2011 FCA Scotford Family Influence award from John Scotford Jr.
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 | 2011 Boardman High School Huddle Leadership Team
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 | Coach Mark Brungard, Kari Brungard, Dick & Patty Brungard, Rhonda & Rick Barger, Kelli and Isaac Smolko
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 | YSU huddle leader John DiRenzo, Judd Lutz (Mt Union Huddle), Emily Wollet (YSU), George Spack (Salem huddle leader), John Hancock, West Branch Basketball Coach, Fritz & Joe Schlueter (West Branch huddle) and Torian Pace (YSU huddle)
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 | DeVante Hudson (Liberty student huddle leader) and Michele Lamport, FCA campus ministries director
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 | Mike Jones and Champion students
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 | FCA supporters--Church of the ROCK: Jim & Linda Penny, Linda & Joan Demeny, Chuck and Sandy Burnett and Karen & Doug Aebischer.
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 | Dick Duffett, Bob Hannon, CL Duffett, Coach Ken Conatser and Dr. Ray Duffett
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 | East Liverpool High School FCA huddle with Huddle Coach Jim Allen enjoy the evening.
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About Shawn Lazarus
An original native of Canal Fulton, Ohio, Shawn Lazarus graduated from Northwest High School in 1998 and in 2002 obtained a Bachelor's Degree in sports management and communication from the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. He was a four-year letter winner and starter at defensive tackle for the Wolverines as well as a two-time award winner of the prestigious Victors Club Trophy. After a brief stint with the Detroit Lions of the NFL Shawn entered the business world. After 3 years, Shawn realized that God was calling him into a different direction.
Shawn currently works as a detention officer in the Summit County Juvenile Court system and is an active community volunteer serving under Team J.A.M.
About Joel Penton
Joel is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a former defensive tackle for the Ohio State football team. He was a member of three Big Ten championship teams and one national championship team. Joel played in 38 straight games for the Buckeyes.
In 2006 Joel received the prestigious Danny Wuerffel Trophy, also known as the “Humanitarian Heisman.” The Trophy recognizes the nation’s college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Joel also received the 2006 Rex Kern Award, given by FCA to student-athlete of the year. In his time at Ohio State, Joel was a four time varsity letter winner as well as a four time Academic All-Big Ten selection. He was also chosen to play in the 2007 Hula Bowl, one of the premier college football all-star games. |
