Aaron Hughes loves Jesus and being an involved dad, so it seemed natural for him to volunteer his time with FCA Lacrosse in Rochester, New York when his sons began playing the sport. After all, Hughes, a music teacher, had played the sport from the time he was a child through his college years, and he also had coaching experience.
Upstate Lacrosse Director Sol Bliss saw Christ-like attributes in Hughes right away. When Hughes began volunteering by handing out jerseys at tryouts, Bliss saw him make simple interactions with players and their families that were quite relational and transformational. Hughes also worked to coordinate dinners for the team, lead parent Huddles and maintained an “anything-you-need” mentality.
Given the servant heart Hughes displayed, Bliss asked Hughes to coach. Bliss agreed. He dove in and began teaching student-athletes the sport of lacrosse and how to develop Christ-like character.
“[Hughes] weaves in biblical principles and Scripture within his coaching,” Bliss said. “He’ll throw a Scripture out that pertains to a drill he’s doing. It’s little seeds like that being planted throughout the practice that is special.”
Hughes said it has been incredibly rewarding to see kids become comfortable enough in their faith to lead Huddles, and he enjoys the ability to have open conversations about God with them.
“I really don’t believe in going out and getting championships,” Hughes said. “It’s building the champion. It’s teaching these young men what Christ can do. How do we learn to not be selfish? How do we be leaders? More importantly, how do you be comfortable enough in your faith to not feel ashamed to spread the Word and lead prayer?”
Hughes said student-athletes say they feel comfortable and accepted in the lacrosse program, and he teaches them to always help and encourage any player who gets knocked down. He emphasizes that a leader is not necessarily the best player on the field but the one who picks others up, roots for the underdog, and displays kindness, caring and compassion.
“[Kids] realize the sport is just a game, and we are here for a higher purpose,” Hughes said. “We are teaching them many different levels of lacrosse being more than just a sport.”
Bliss said Hughes is gifted in framing faith in a way that relates to middle schoolers and helping the student-athletes reach their full potential in a way that builds them up.
“He exemplifies our values—Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence—in almost every practice and interaction he has with a team,” Bliss said. “He is there to encourage the kids and teach the game of lacrosse, but he does it in a manner that glorifies God. It’s so hard to find a coach that can be knowledge, passionate and intense, but does it in a way that builds people up and doesn’t tear them down.”
Christina Nedelkovska’s 11-year-old son Drake has been playing lacrosse for three-and-a-half years, and she said Hughes has been his most influential lacrosse coach who has made him fall in love more with the game.
“[Coach Hughes] keeps the environment light and positive, which allows the boys to grow and advance with each practice and tournament both individually and as a team,” Nedelkovska said. “The space that Hughes builds for the boys allows them to feel accepted and worthy, and be able to give the best of themselves.”
In addition to learning lacrosse skills, Nedelkovska said her son has learned that God loves everyone and being kind is free. Overall, she said Hughes coaches like the team is one big family.
“It’s really good to see their minds and hearts are open to Christ,” Hughes said. “It’s all coming together. Sometimes a spark will lead to a fire, and sometimes you don’t realize how Christ is using you and for what reason. I obviously see that now that I have been a vessel to spread His Word in my community.”
FCA Upstate Lacrosse currently offers teams from second grade through high school juniors, and has options for boys in field and box lacrosse. There are field teams for girls as well. Sol Bliss asks for prayer that God would keep providing the resources to continue the ministry.
“Our goal is for them to feel God’s love, for them to understand what it means, and then carry those interactions out through whatever community they are in, whatever team they go to next, whatever school they are part of,” Bliss said.
Learn more and get involved with FCA Lacrosse Upstate.
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Photos courtesy of Aaron Hughes and FCA Upstate Lacrosse