The 2014-15 school year was one for the ages at Richard Bland College. A national championship for the men’s basketball team. National coach of the year honors for head coach Chuck Moore. Partnering with FCA to provide meals for athletes unable to afford a meal plan.
When an athletic program was added to their college in 2013, Moore, who also serves as the athletic director, came sharing his faith, praying God would work in the hearts and lives of his athletes.
Richard Bland College men's basketball team with Va. governor Terry McAuliffe
Common thought is that building a program from scratch is challenging enough, but getting 18 young men to commit to an unknown program and play together as one fluid unit? Near impossible.
Moore never thought so.
From the beginning, the men’s basketball team talked about having faith and trust in each other, and in God. The Statesmen would say prayers before practices and games, and have a team motto: One heart, one purpose, dominates.
Over the season, Moore has seen his men develop physically as athletes, as well as spiritually in their faith.
“I’ve watched student athletes who did not believe in God start asking questions,” said Moore. “It’s important for them because they’re young men trying to figure out their ways in life, which path to go down. It’s so much easier to go down the wrong way, but if you’ve got your sport and your faith, it’s easier.”
After claiming the Region X Conference Tournament, coming back from a 13-point deficit to earn a bid in the national tournament, the Statesmen beat the odds and won their first Junior College Division II National Championship. Their run to the title included another come-from-behind win after they were down by 13 with six minutes to go in regulation in the final four against the defending national champs.
Moore highlighted the work and perseverance that held the team together throughout the season.
“You look at so many walks of life with these kids—some didn’t have another opportunity, some of the guys have kids they’re trying to take care of while being a college student-athlete,” he said. “Being able to actually win it solidifies everything we believe here. Then to see that you have all that faith and all that hard work, it will pay off.”
Moore amassed multiple coaching awards, including NJCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year. But, according to Moore, his most precious earnings are the ones he sees manifested in his players.
“What I like about coaching is the impact I’m able to have on our student-athletes, on my players,” he said. “That’s the best part, building those relationships and being able to challenge them to become something that they never thought they could achieve.”
Though he’s dreamt of a national championship as much as the next coach, Moore is quick to deflect the praise for his hand in the program.
“So much attention has been given to me about what I’ve done here, and it’s uncomfortable at times, because I know God has been at work,” he said. “[God’s] provided this opportunity for me and my 13-year-old son, and I just feel like He’s using me as a vessel to influence more and more student-athletes and hopefully our campus and community, knowing our faith is what drives us here.”
Richard Bland’s relationship with FCA began with Michaele Schriver, who worked for the college and volunteered with FCA. She arranged a meeting with Area Director Lennie Nugent and Moore to discuss the issue of some athletes not being able to afford meal plans on campus.
That meeting led to a dinner and chapel service for the athletes, partnering with Pastor Dwayne Walker and the First Assembly of God. It became a monthly occurrence that continues today.
“I’m really proud of what FCA’s been able to accomplish at this school,” Nugent said.
Through Schriver and Pastor Dwayne serving the campus in tremendous ways, much growth has bloomed building up the lives of athletes and many others on campus.
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Photos courtesy of Petersburg Progress-Index and Michaele Shriver