Go Horney Toads, I mean Frogs!?
It is nearing the end of the football season and bowl pairings are soon to be decided. On December 3rd, for instance, the annual Oregon/Oregon State Civil War game will decide who goes to the Rose Bowl. In the past the game has offered the possibility of a spoiler, but this year it's for the Pac-10 championship and a chance to beat up on Ohio State! I grew up a Beaver fan, but over time, sort of after attending the University of Oregon, I switched to the Ducks. So, my support will be for the Green and Gold -- come January.
But, there is another bowl bid to be decided, and that involves Texas Christian University. Those Horned Frogs are seeking a BCS bowl bid -- for the first time. It's highly ranked, but it seems in competition with Boise State (which beat the Ducks opening night). Probably both teams deserve BCS bids, but we'll see how this plays out. In any case, below is a news release in support of the TCU bid, for TCU is a Disciples-related University. And in response to our invitation from Todd Adams, our Associate General Minister, I say: Go Horned Frogs!
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ASSOCIATE GENERAL MINISTER CALLS FOR DENOMINATIONAL SUPPORT OF TCU FOOTBALL
A Disciples-related university has one of the nation’s top-ranked football programs and is poised to play in a major post-season bowl.
Texas Christian University picked up a 45-10 win over the University of Wyoming on Saturday, making the undefeated Horned Frogs 11-0 for the season. TCU, located in Ft. Worth, Texas, is one of 14 colleges and universities related by covenant to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Currently TCU’s football team is the highest ranked non-BCS school in the 11-year history of the Bowl Championship Series. If it wins its final game later this week, TCU will play in a BCS bowl, perhaps for the national championship game.
Todd Adams, Associate General Minister and Vice President, is calling on Disciples to lift up TCU football and support the Horned Frogs. “This is a critical opportunity to demonstrate the partnership of the church and the school,” said Adams. “TCU needs to know that the church is celebrating with them. TCU has a long history of developing and nurturing faithful leaders for the church. We have a strong partnership. Partners celebrate one another’s success!”
TCU will find out what bowl it will play in as part of the annual bowl selection process on Sunday, December 6. The school has one more regular season game remaining against the University of New Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 28. A home victory against UNM will mean a perfect season for TCU.
General Minister and President Sharon Watkins, is on sabbatical but is taking a break to record messages of support for TCU that will be posted through YouTube and Facebook. Watkins, who admits her favorite movies are “feel good sports flicks,” is an avid football fan and looks forward to cheering on the Horned Frogs.
“I am supporting TCU Football and proud of them, as I would be of any Disciples school,” she said. “I believe it is important for the people in our pews and around the world to know that from a President’s Prayer Service to a local congregation, from the global mission field and Gulf Coast, and yes, even on the football field, we are part of the Disciples of Christ and we are a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world!”
A video clip will be found on the Disciples website, www.disciples.org, and will be posted next week. Adams offered several suggestions of how congregations can celebrate TCU football in addition to playing the video clips on YouTube, Facebook and Disciples.org.
“Since December 6 will be a critical Sunday regarding TCU’s bowl placement, I think it would be great if everyone would wear TCU’s school colors of purple and white or pass out purple ribbons at church on Sunday morning." Adams went on to suggest that congregations could hold “a bowl game night”, broadcasting the bowl game at the church as an opportunity to fellowship and evangelize, recognize alumni of TCU or Brite Divinity School, and join social media groups supporting TCU Disciples football.
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