FOCUS Launches Varsity Catholic

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nikki Shasserre c: (734) 330-6710,

FOCUS Mission Communications

FOCUS Launches Varsity Catholic – Outreach to Athletes

Fastest Growing Catholic College Ministry Adds Outreach to Athletes

DENVER, Colo., September 10, 2007 One of the fastest growing college movements in the Catholic Church is continuing its expansion by launching an outreach to athletes.

The Fellowship of Catholic University Students - known as FOCUS – is preparing to launch Varsity Catholic this fall. Varsity Catholic will begin at the University of Nebraska, working in conjunction with St. Thomas Newman Center, and will serve both Catholic and non-Catholic student-athletes.

FOCUS staff member Thomas Wurtz will direct Varsity Catholic. Currently in his seventh year with FOCUS, Wurtz entered FOCUS as a campus missionary and was promoted to the position of Campus Director where he served for three years and Men’s Formation Coordinator.

In light of recent controversies surrounding the NFL draft, student athlete criminal behavior and athlete suspensions, Thomas Wurtz responded, “Leaders need to be developed, and most coaches realize this. Varsity Catholic hopes to aid athletic programs in cultivating their athletes’ character, and aiding in their work of developing leaders both on and off the field.”

According to a USA Today story, Conduct Rules Cast Shadow over Draft: NFL’s new policy has teams trying to avoid a ‘bad apple’, “At least eight players among the top 100 prospects in USA TODAY Sports Weekly's NFL Draft Guide have been arrested or involved in an incident during college that is drawing NFL teams' attention.” http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/draft/2007-04-19-conduct-cover_N.htm

In more recent news, student athletes have been suspended for bar fights, criminal behavior and a sexual assault scandal. (Reference: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2946843 http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2941285)

“Athletes have always been faced with big pressure situations, which can be a heavy burden, especially for a young college age athlete,” Wurtz said. “These days, big time college programs also bring the heavy burden of fame and status. Young men and women around the country are not only facing the pressures of performance, but also the pressures of weeding through popularity and idol status.”

Varsity Catholic hopes to help athletes succeed not only in their sport but also in their day to day life by helping them build character and live out excellence on and off the field. “Athletics has traditionally been a means of building character and virtue among the youth. More and more athletes have ridden on their superb talent, and character has slipped down on the list of characteristics that once was at the top,” Wurtz said. “Varsity Catholic’s goal is to show that character counts.”

ABOUT FOCUS: FOCUS is a national student outreach organization serving both secular and Catholic college campuses. FOCUS brings the teachings of Christ and the faith and moral traditions of the Catholic Church to college students, giving them the tools to help share those teachings with their friends and family. The organization’s primary objective is to form communities on college campuses nationwide where students can follow Jesus Christ and live out their Catholic faith in environments that are often hostile to such beliefs.

Media Note: To interview Thomas Wurtz, contact Nikki Shasserre at (734) 330-6710.