This story appears in FCA Magazine’s November/December 2016 issue. Subscribe today!
Hometown: Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Coaching Career:
• Bucknell University, assistant (1995-97)
• Susquehanna University, assistant (1997-2000)
• Indiana University, assistant (2001-06)
• University of Richmond, head coach (2007-present)
Notes:
• Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year (2009)
• Atlantic 10 Conference Champions (2009, ’11, 14)
• Atlantic 10 Conference Regular Season Champions (2009, ’11, ’12, ’15)
“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” – Hebrews 12:11
Gina Lucido began her college coaching career 21 years ago, and she’s now in her 10th year at the University of Richmond. Lucido seeks constant renewal and wisdom from the Lord; her mission is to encourage players and staff to be all God created them to be. She loves the privilege of her position and has been on a continuous “pilgrimage to sanctification” through various fruit-filled and barren seasons.
FCA: How do you intentionally set time aside for God?
GL: I decided that every day at 12 o’clock, no matter what’s going on, nobody can access me. That’s my running time with God. Anytime you’re investing in people, that takes a lot of time, apart from getting your X’s and O’s done for the day. You really have to ask God for wisdom and balance.
It’s a constant way to measure how much you really trust God because you can’t be great at [everything]—and then try to also have your stellar relationship with the Lord. But you make time for that.
FCA: How are you impacted by coaches around you who also love the Lord?
GL: As the body of Christ, we’re called to walk shoulder to shoulder with everyone. I know I can pick up the telephone and talk to people who are standing right there with me saying, “I get it.” What’s great is you’re constantly challenged to come back to your values. “Do I have a generous spirit?” “Am I truly happy for my fellow sister right now?” I can still pursue excellence like the Lord wants, but you need to be able to call that sister who can empathize with you, as iron sharpens iron, and speak truth.
FCA: What is the difference between leadership and mentorship?
GL: You can be a great leader who has influence on people, moving them in a certain direction and instilling values, but if you want to be a mentor leader there is a whole other depth. We need to be transformative coaches. We need to be changing and drawing hearts to Christ. If you are intentional in making sure that the needs of the people—your captains, assistants and support staff—are met, you are training them up so they can make their impact in the world as God has gifted them to do. It takes being close to the Lord and yielding to the Holy Spirit and not jumping ahead of Him. I need the Lord’s wisdom and discernment in my position because there’s always need.
FCA: How has God refined you through the years?
GL: I have felt painful discipline because of my own mistakes, but also things He’s wanted to put me through. If you can wait on His strength, all the unpleasant discipline … brings a harvest of righteousness that tastes sweeter than anything else. I’m passionate about seeing people through their storms because I don’t think I would have come out of deep seasons of my life had people not been so faithful to put grace and truth constantly back into my heart. I’ve learned too many times that you’re always going to come crawling back on your knees to the Lord. Start there first.
FCA: What are you currently learning on your journey with God?
GL: In coaching, because you’re intensely competitive, you’re always balancing this tension of constantly wanting to arrive. I’m never going to get there and have to be OK with that, but the competitor in me is always rubbing up against wanting that and hitting that mountain peak. It’s been something I can now joke about, but it’s so true—the Lord always has something new He wants to do. I can embrace difficulties much more because I trust Him. There’s no doubt that no one else loves my heart more.
FCA Staff Quote:
“Gina is one of the most faithful and enthusiastic servants of our Lord I have ever met. She has been committed to creating a culture in her program built on the truth found in the Gospel. The influence she holds on her team and encouragement she is to other coaching staff at Richmond is amazing to witness.”
-Michael Stock
Area Director
Greater Richmond FCA
-FCA-
Photos courtesy of University of RIchmond Athletics and Alex Edelman