Zach Ferrell – Chattanooga

Zach Ferrell - #10

College: Tennessee-Chattanooga Year: Senior Height/Weight: 6-1/164 Position: Guard Hometown: Nashville Trivia: Ferrell serves as the president of FCA on UTC's campus and last summer was an intern with the local staff, speaking at high schools and working at four different camps.

On how Chattanooga's NCAA Tournament berth has helped him reach others...
"Being a mid-major and going to the tournament, that’s like the biggest thing. Everybody is so excited and wants to talk to you, congratulate you, and it gives me an opportunity to show Who gets the glory and to give God the praise for this. It opens up doors on campus to talk to different people.

"The morning after we won it, I went to a high school here in Chattanooga and just got to talk about what God is doing, and even though this is so amazing, knowing Christ is so much better. It just opens up so many doors and ears, people who will listen and hear that message."

On the challenges he's overcome while in college...
"I came in as a walk-on my freshman year and didn’t really play. I played in like six games my freshman year, and didn’t really have any type of a role until this year, my senior year, and now I have a more consistent role and I’ve been able to see God do amazing things, using me on campus and different things and on the basketball court as well. I guess the challenge was just trying to push through times where you’re putting in a lot of work and not really seeing much benefit from it.

"Colossians 3:23 says we're called in everything to do as if for the Lord, not for men. That kind of got me through my college career, because I knew that while I was on the basketball court was for Christ, and I was working hard for Him. It wasn’t for the playing time. It wasn’t for the coach. It wasn’t for the fans in the stands. I put my hard work in and my effort for Him."

On how his faith affects his life...
"My faith is my foundation. That’s what holds everything together for me. Jesus Christ is my stronghold and Savior and without Him, I could not be where I am right now. I could not function without Him throughout my everyday life. Without Jesus Christ, without my faith as my foundation, nothing else really stands or makes a difference."

David Conrady – Chattanooga

On his faith...
"The joy of my life is not related to the circumstances of my day, but rather my relationship with Christ.

"I have a great platform as a coach to reach our players with the hope that is only found in Christ Jesus. I try to set an example by showing how to handle adversity and success in a Christ-like way."

On handling worry or doubt...
"The 'fear' of uncertainty (is a challenge) – of not knowing what tomorrow will bring. I look to Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) – 'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.'

On a Scripture that has helped him in his basketball life...
"Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) – 'Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'

"It is easy to get slowed down by or focus on things that are going on around us rather than staying focused on what truly is important. It also is an encouragement in that although a circumstance may seem overwhelming to us, God can still takeit and be glorified in it. Our focus should always be on Jesus."

Nicchaeus Doaks – Chattanooga

On how Christ affects his life...
"Christ is the head of my life. Since a lot of people know who I am (on campus), I always try to do the right thing.

"I always try to play as hard as I can, and stay focused on playing for Christ, not for man."

On the challenges he's overcome while in college...
"I grew up in the church ... I have faced a lot of challenges in my life – one of them is not going to a high-major college. I tried to just know that Christ will take care of it."

Kevin Goffney – Chattanooga

On where his faith has taken him...
"Without faith and the belief in God and His Word, things would not be as good as they are now. Faith can take you a long way.

"I broke a bone in my ankle and could have stopped and given up during my senior year, but I continued to pray, and God helped me through."

On the example he tries to set...
"I try to tell people that the only way I am what I am is through Christ. I try to show that you should always give your all and work hard in any situation."

Scripture that has helped in his basketball life...
"Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV) – 'But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'

"Through Christ all things can be given to you or whatever you desire, but seeking Him is the best thing you could ever do."

Ricky Taylor – Chattanooga

On delighting in the Lord...
"In good times as well as the bad times, never forget to put God first. My role is to stay positive in every circumstance in life, even when things aren't going my way. I've learned that if you delight yourself in the Lord, then He will give you the desires of your heart.

"My role in sports is to always give God the glory in a defeat as well as a victory. In the end, we are victorious and more than conquerors. In everything I do, I remind myself that God deserves all the glory, honor and praise."

On doing things God's way...
"I have faced the fact that everything in basketball and life is not going to go my way. I wanted to do things my way and not God's way, but instead of giving up, I pressed on my way. I learned that it is not about me, but it's all about Christ. My response was to keep praying, believing and remaining faithful."

"I try to use my status as an athlete to bring glory to God by letting others know that the reason for my success is not because of what I have done, but it is because the Lord allowed me to function. Therefore, I put my trust in the Lord."

On a Scripture that has helped him with basketball...
"Romans 8:28 (KJV) – 'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.'

"I chose this Scripture because it says so much about basketball, life, and any other situations that go on. When things are bad, I quote this Scripture because I know God will work it out for my good. When things are going well, I quote the verse and thank God for His Word. When things are neutral, I quote this Scripture and have faith that things will only get better."