Liberty University Club Sports Athletics
Leeds helps his riders sharpen faith in a secular sport
3/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Ski & Snowboard
On this segment of "Face to Face," Liberty University ski & snowboard Head Coach Ryan Leeds shares a conversation with Club Sports Video Coordinator Patrick Strawn about the development of his riders and making the most of their opportunities to be a light on the hill and share their faith.
As six of the Flames' snowboarders and seven of their skiers gear up for next week's USCSA National Championships, to be held at Mt. Bachelor in Bend, Ore., he wants to keep their minds on glorifying God as they go for the gold.
"When you're so focused on doing well and landing on the podium(for a top finish at nationals), things can quickly go downhill," said Leeds, who also serves as general manager of the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre. "Perspective has been my focus, as an athlete and as a coach. I want our athletes to be focused on what's most important ... what's going to bring them the most joy and satisfaction. Landing on a podium is certainly going to give you a temporary joy and satisfaction, but it's not going to be the ultimate fulfillment, like our relationship with the Lord is going to be. I've tried to instill that in our athletes. I definitely want them to realize that when they're out there on the hill, they need to use their abilities and talents as a platform to share the Gospel, because that is ultimately what we are here for. That is why God created us."
He realizes, however, that the platform they have to share their faith is elevated when they land their tricks and jumps on the rails and slopes and make it to the podium as a team and individuals.
"When they're focused on their relationship with the Lord first and foremost, and they have that perspective, skiing and snowboarding kind of just comes naturally," Leeds said. "It comes back to using their talents and abilities as a platform. They're not just coming out there just trying to form relationships out of nowhere. Other teams know who we are and being at the top in our (Southeast) Conference has given us an awesome opportunity to form those relationships and to build those bridges."
