Stephanie Steinweg
School: William and Mary
Hometown: Arnold, Md.
Year: Senior
Position: Midfield/Attacker
Notes:
- 2009-10 CAA Commissioner’s
Academic Award
- 2011 IWLCA Academic Honor Roll
Originally Published: May 2012
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
STV: As one of the veterans on your team, how do you support your teammates?
SS: I try to love the girls on my team for exactly who they are, and I try to serve them every day. No matter what it involves—a note of encouragement or just a talk—I ask God to show me who I can serve and how I can help.
Being a teammate is a ministry opportunity, and it looks different every day. God gives us opportunities to see needs and to meet them. I want my teammates to understand what God’s given me and how He saved me and to embrace Him for themselves. That’s way more important than any accomplishments.
STV: How has that mindset been refined during your time at William and Mary?
SS: I’ve learned a lot through the weekly teaching and fellowship at church and at FCA, which is called Tribe Fellowship here. College has shaped what I believe and allowed me to grow in my faith.
In high school, my faith was anchored in my family’s faith. I knew what my parents believed, so it was what I believed. In college it became what I actually chose to believe. Owning it for myself was a real turning point for me in my faith.
STV: How did you get involved with the FCA Lacrosse ministry?
SS: I was asked to be a Huddle Leader at the Gettysburg FCA Camp a couple of summers ago. I absolutely loved the experience because I’d never been able to serve in an environment where I could combine my sport and my love for the Lord. It was amazing to see God work in the hearts of the young lacrosse players and in my fellow Huddle Leaders as we learned how to worship and glorify God through our sport.
STV: How have the lessons you learned at FCA Camp affected you as a college athlete?
SS: At FCA Camp, the role model aspect became clear to me. When I was younger, the older girls in my community taught me lacrosse and mentored me in the sport. I was inspired by watching them play, and I now see myself in their shoes. I try to be an example for young girls through both my faith and my sport.
FCA Camp also changed my perspective regarding why I play the game. I now see lacrosse as an act of worship to God. I started leading a prayer before games, which has been an encouraging way to honor Him and just focus completely on giving my all for Him.
STV: Do you think FCA is important to have on college campuses?
SS: Definitely. There are so many pressures on student-athletes and so many ways to get off track at college. FCA provides the perfect avenue for us to become rooted in a community with sound Bible teaching, prayer times, small groups and fellowship. Each of those is so important for us to grow in our faith while in college.
Photos courtesy of W&M Sports Information and Julia Martin