Pro athletes host fun, share faith

  • Published
  • By Airman Samantha S. DeVries
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  Sharing a message of hope and peace, two former National Football League players, two former Major League Baseball players and one former Ice Capades skater visited the base April 23 through 26.

Sponsored by the Liberty Chapel's Protestant community here, the athletes came to volunteer their time and share their faith with Airmen and their families through Unlimited Potential Incorporated, or UPI, said Chaplain (Capt.) Richard Anderson, base chapel.

Bryan Hickerson, head of the military division with UPI, played five years in the major league with the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies.

Mr. Hickerson joined UPI more than eight years ago, traveling to Germany, Italy, Afghanistan, Kosovo and many stateside Army posts. This is the ministry's first Air Force visit.

According to Chaplain Anderson, an Internet search trying to find an athlete for a national prayer luncheon, led him to Mr. Hickerson and the other athletes with UPI.

The former NFL and MLB players who accompanied Mr. Hickerson were not new to this kind of ministry work, said the chaplain.

Mike McCoy, who played 11 years in the NFL, spent time in Thailand with the Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Mike Davis played professional baseball for nine years, which included a trip to the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has visited other military installations on similar missions.

"It's given me a chance to see a lot of the world while sharing my faith," he said.

Keith Elias played five years in the NFL and one year in the XFL after a career at Princeton University where he left holding 21 of the school's records.

Mr. Elias' faith inspired him to join the base visit, he said.

During the visit, the athletes hosted a baseball clinic for Gunfighter children. The following day, the group played against the base's first sergeants and chiefs in a volleyball game at the fitness center here with the shirts and chiefs winning two of the three games.

Throughout their visit, the athletes attended cookouts with various squadrons to visit with Airmen. Meanwhile, Kia McCoy, former Ice Capades skater and wife of Mr. McCoy, spoke to different units, including the spouse's club.

These athletes simply love and appreciate military communities and believe in giving back to those who serve, said Chaplain (Maj.) Dennis Saucier, base chapel.

The visit wrapped up April 26 with a sports rally at the Liberty Chapel.

"When we leave, we hope the Gunfighters will have been encouraged, loved and challenged spiritually," Mr. Hickerson said.

For more information regarding UPI, visit www.upi.org.