Going on a journey

October 22, 2015

Josh Mawhorr is a Senior Center who started for the Wildcats last season after transferring into the school.  He has a 3.7 GPA studying Business Management and is known for his passion for life as well as his huge heart for people.  He was baptized at Union Chapel Church in Muncie on October 10th.

I think one of the greatest experiences a person can have in life is to be taken on a journey. By definition a journey is the act of traveling from one place to another. A journey can take many forms such as journeying to an awesome destination, journeying from college to a dream job, and even journeying from the beginning of basketball season to the national championship game.  Departing on a journey is exhilarating, joyous, and challenging all at the same time.  

I recently took on the journey of baptism. Baptism is an outward expression of an inner transformation. I felt called to express how God has changed, molded, and worked in my life.  I was so grateful to share that day with friends, family, coaches, and teammates.

To me, baptism is a journey because so many events, places, and people helped me along the way. A big part of my journey has been the family of teammates and coaches that I have at IWU. I didn’t start my collegiate career at IWU, so just being able to be apart of this family was a journey that God took me on that I am extremely grateful for.

In my time at IWU, I have experienced what it means to live out my faith. I have teammates who not only value the game of basketball but more importantly value their relationships with the Lord and each other. I have coaches who have a deep passion for teaching the game of basketball but an even deeper passion for discipling young men. One of the greatest blessings I have been given is to see my teammates and coaches who I love and care about seek God first, serve others second, and think about themselves third.

God used the game of basketball to help me in my journey to be baptized. Without the impact of this program, I don’t know if I would be at a point in my faith to make that decision. I can’t thank the Lord enough for bringing me to IWU and allowing me to be taken on a journey I’ll never forget.

On October 30th at 6PM our team will start a new journey…I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store!

-Josh Mawhorr, Senior

A NEW Chapter--From a father's perspective

OCTOBER 8. 2015

What began four years ago as an idea to connect fathers with sons and give dads a behind the scenes look at the program their sons play in has turned in to one of the highlights of the year.   Whether it is going to a Cubs game, playing basketball with an NBA player, or going out on a charter fishing boat, relationships in our program have deepened as we have welcomed our dads to peek behind the scenes of the IAm3rd Way.  Here is the third in a series of blog posts written by the men who were on the 2015 Father/Son Retreat, spent whitewater rafting in West Virginia.  This entry is from Justin Davis, father of freshman Micah Davis, who wrote a blog post HERE.   You can view the first post, written by Tony Marlin, HERE.  You can view the second post, written by Jonny Marlin, HERE

There is no instruction manual given at the hospital to new parents.  You show up with no parenting skills or experience, and 18-36 hours after delivery they allow you to take this little person, that you love with a love you never knew you could possess, home with you.  You are responsible for them.  It is amazing and overwhelming all at the same time.  Right before you leave the hospital they should have parents that recently took their child to college meet with you and tell you that all the sleepless nights; all the dirty diapers; all the toddler temper tantrums; ALL of it will be worth it.  Don't take one minute for granted.

They're gone before you know it.

Micah is the first of our three boys to go to college.  It's been one of the best and most difficult transitions we've experienced as a family.  Letting go is tough, but it is right and good.

I remember sitting in Coach T's office on Micah's recruiting visit.  Each of the coaches took turns talking about all IWU and the basketball program had to offer.  It was impressive to hear about the culture and the on-court accomplishments.  But their eyes lit up when they spoke of the annual Father/Son Retreat.  It was in that moment that I realized these men are more concerned about my son's spiritual development than they are his basketball skills.  As a father, you can't ask for more than that.

A few weeks ago, I was able to experience the Father/Son Retreat with Micah and twelve other fathers and sons.  The coaching staff was so intentional of giving us opportunities to get to know other dads and spend quality time with our sons.

We spent the day on Saturday whitewater rafting.  It was an epic day of navigating some Level 5 rapids together.  About half way through the day, my perspective began to change.  I came into the weekend with the feeling of a dad that sent his son off to college.  As we went down the river on Saturday, we worked together to overcome challenges.  We celebrated the accomplishment of surfing a rapid in the middle of the river.  We told stories like old friends that know each other well.

The Father/Son Retreat helped me as a dad embrace a new season with my son.  For the past eighteen years, I've worked in front of him leading the way.  Now we walk side-by-side, sharing life experiences along the way.  I'm so thankful for a coaching staff that values this relationship and invests in us as dads.

One of the things I've realized is life is less about what you know and how much you accomplish and more about the relationships you build along the way.  I'm grateful that there are men at IWU that leverage their influence as coaches to speak life into my son's heart.  He will be better because of the relationships he is building with his teammates and coaches.  

Thank you to each of the coaches for caring more about my son's heart than his basketball skills.  I know he will be a better man, husband and father in the future because of your investment in him.

-Justin Davis, father of freshman Micah Davis

A New Chapter--A Son's Perspective

October 5. 2015

What began four years ago as an idea to connect fathers with sons and give dads a behind the scenes look at the program their sons play in has turned in to one of the highlights of the year.   Whether it is going to a Cubs game, playing basketball with an NBA player, or going out on a charter fishing boat, relationships in our program have deepened as we have welcomed our dads to peek behind the scenes of the IAm3rd Way.  Here is the third in a series of blog posts written by the men who were on the 2015 Father/Son Retreat, spent whitewater rafting in West Virginia.  This entry is from Freshman guard Micah Davis.   You can view the first post, written by Tony Marlin, HERE.  You can view the second post, written by Jonny Marlin, HERE

Indiana Wesleyan University Basketball is all about winning.  We're one of the winningest program in the country, especially over the past few years.  Yet I have realized quickly that in this program, winning is 3rd.  It's 3rd to putting God first, and pursuing life-long relationships and growth second.  No one helps us do that better than our fathers, and that is why our Father/Son Retreat is such a special experience.  This past weekend, we had 13 players and 13 dads who were all present along with the coaching staff and their fathers.  I thought I knew my teammates coming into this trip, but when I saw them with their father, whom their DNA runs through, I started to see a bigger picture of who they were created to be.

Growing up, my dad and I had a saying that came from the greatest movie of all time--The Lion King.  I would say, 'we're pals right?  And we'll always be right?"  My dad would reply "Yes!"  Up until last year, I saw my dad as well--my dad.  But this past weekend defined for me part of what my relationship with my father is becoming and will be for the rest of our time on Earth--friendship.  This weekend I was able to see and feel how relaxed everyone was around his father.  I believe it is because we are all men.  As all of us young men grow up, we look to the older men--our fathers--as friends, confidants and mentors.

On the last morning of the retreat, overlooking a beautiful West Virgina canyon, we stood as a team admiring God's beauty.  My dad shared how he felt so happy and blessed that I was in a place where I could grow spiritually, and that I was surrounded by godly men who would help me fulfill my potential.  He never mentioned how he was going to hold my hand through the next four years, or how he would be there every waking moment.  He acknowledged that a new chapter had begun; that it was my turn to grow up and become a man.  It was a very powerful moment between my dad and I.  In some ways, it felt like a spiritual initiation into the next phase of life, and the next phase of our relationship.  I also heard both of our seniors, Jonny Marlin and Josh Mawhorr, speak powerful words about how God is working in their lives and how they believe God will work through our team this year.  Their dads stood proudly by their sides, relishing in the incredible men their sons had become.

So, on the weekend eve of our first week of practice, and in preparation for the 2015-2016 campaign, I'm confident saying all 13 of us will be walking on the court with a little more confidence knowing there are men by our side who love us unconditionally, and are willing to do whatever it takes to see us succeed.  We learn to be fearless and to be 3rd from the men who go before us, our fathers.  Man, we got it good!  

-Micah Davis, Freshman

Digging Ditches

October 2, 2015

What began four years ago as an idea to connect fathers with sons and give dads a behind the scenes look at the program their sons play in has turned in to one of the highlights of the year.   Whether it is going to a Cubs game, playing basketball with an NBA player, or going out on a charter fishing boat, relationships in our program have deepened as we have welcomed our dads to peek behind the scenes of the IAm3rd Way.  Here is the second in a series of blog posts written by the men who were on the 2015 Father/Son Retreat, spent whitewater rafting in West Virginia.  This entry is from Senior All American Point Guard Jonny Marlin.  You can view the first post, written by Jonny's father, HERE

There are a few games you circle on the schedule because they just tend to mean a little more.  In the same way, you circle special events in life and look forward to them as soon as you put them on the calendar.  One of those special events is our Father/Son Retreat.  It's a time that is different from anything else you experience throughout the year.  I mean seriously, how many times do you get to spend a weekend with your father alongside some of your closest friends and their dads?!  Sometimes the anticipation of an event is greater than the excitement the event produces, but that is not true of the Father/Son.  It has delivered every time.

This year we were fortunate to travel to West Virginia and experience the thrill of whitewater rafting down some of the most extreme rapids in North America.  While I will never forget the thrills and laughs that my dad and I shared in the raft with the Johnson's, Murphy's and Peters, they do not compare to the experiences that were created away from the river.

Our time away from the river was spent enjoying some manly food, sitting around campfires and exploring God's word.  There is something unique that happens when people gather in Jesus' name.  Although you can't predict how God is going to move, you know He will in some capacity.  I was challenged recently by Steven Furtick's book 'Greater' to have a greater expectation of what God is going to do in our lives.  Elisha not only prayed for rain when it was needed in the land, but commanded the king to get his men shovels and have them start digging ditches in anticipation of the Lord answering the prayer. This retreat left our team inspired and ready to get our shovels and start 'digging ditches' in expectation of how God is going to act in big ways through our team this season!  I've personally been convicted to spend more time in the Word, in prayer and in worship leading up to the season. Will you grab a shovel and join me?

-Jonny Marlin, Senior

How Was Your Weekend?

September 30, 2015

What began four years ago as an idea to connect fathers with sons and give dads a behind the scenes look at the program their sons play in has turned in to one of the highlights of the year.   Whether it is going to a Cubs game, playing basketball with an NBA player, or going out on a charter fishing boat, relationships in our program have deepened as we have welcomed our dads to peek behind the scenes of the IAm3rd Way.  Here is the first in a series of blog posts written by the men who were on the 2015 Father/Son Retreat, spent whitewater rafting in West Virginia.  This entry is from Tony Marlin, father of Senior All-American Point Guard Jonny Marlin.

On a typical Monday morning, I walk through the office door and get asked, "How was your weekend?"  Responses typically are along the lines of "good" or "went too fast” or “relaxing” or “didn’t do much”....Well, this past weekend was spent with my son, Jonny Marlin, his Indiana Wesleyan teammates and coaching staff, and the players' and coaches' fathers.  So on this Monday, my response could've been "great” or “went too fast” or memorable" but could not have been described as "didn't do much” or “relaxing."  The best way I could describe it would "Life-changing".  When you describe your weekend that way, you better be ready to explain..so let me explain.

The coaching staff puts together a weekend each year dedicated to the team, staff, and their fathers going away to spend time together to do something fun, and allowing time and space for everyone to connect and share.  This year it was spent white water rafting in West Virginia.  My thoughts could go to the beauty of God's creation--believe me it was on full display with the river, mountains, trees, and other things.  I could describe the correlation on how the team is like the nine guys in our raft, the need to row together at times, or how if one falls there will be 8 others ready to reach in and lift them back to safety... much like the rough times we each experience in life.  There are many other words or ways to describe the weekend, but the one that came out of my mouth was, "Life-changing"

Why life-changing?  I saw a bunch of fathers that would do anything for their sons.  Dads who understood that this phase of their son's life would impact their 'forevers' and are totally comfortable with placing our trust into the hands of the 5 great Christian men who make up the IWU coaching staff. Understanding that our influence will always be a part of their lives, yet knowing that in these years the time with the coaches and team will do a lot in determining the sort of man, husband, father, and friend they will be in their lives.  I, for one, looked around the circle of 35 men huddled in fellowship and prayer on a Saturday night and can say that I am excited that this group will help mold my son.  Life-changing for my son.

Life-changing for me.  As a father, there are few things that I would rather do than to spend meaningful time with my son.  Having a dedicated weekend to do that is special and changes you if you let it.  I remember when my dad was my age, he told me "when you get older, time goes so much faster."  That did not make sense at the time, but now I know that it's so true.  That is why being able to slow life's clock down even for one weekend can put things in perspective.  Being able to hear and share others life experiences provides a chance to focus on the truly important aspects of this time God gives each of us.

Life-changing for others.  As I look at the 13 young men that comprise the 2015-16 Indiana Wesleyan basketball team, I am confident they will be "life-changers" now and in the future.  These are men that have already used their lives to positively influence the lives of others.  I see a coaching staff that will pour their lives into this group to prepare them to not only be positive contributors to society, but also be hands and feet of God to carry out the work He put them on this earth to complete.  These men are not only leaders for tomorrow, but influencers of many today.  Their basketball talent, individually and collectively, will provide them a platform to share with fellow students, fans, opponents, and countless others.  I see a team that will drive each other to be better and reach higher levels in life than they would otherwise.  This will allow each to be life-changers to those that God puts in their paths. Many peoples' 'forevers' will be changed by this group.  

As I think about the past Father-Son weekend, I want to thank the IWU coaching staff for putting in the time and effort to plan such a trip.  This gives me a chance to think about my son's awesome opportunity to be a part of this great program.  The countless hours of practice, games, and traveling to tournaments while growing up provided a chance for Jonny to become a Wildcat.  A few years ago, I was excited that he could play a role in helping this team win some games.  I am still excited for that, but now realize that God put him in a place that will allow him to become the man he wants him to be, and has changed his life for His purpose so that he can change the lives of many others.  

How was my weekend?...Life changing!!

Tony Marlin

Proud Father of Jonny and a Proud Member of the IWU Family