One Team: Bringing Communities Together in Avon

A first-ever program bringing athletes together on the field of sports took place in Avon July 27-29.

Football players from Avon, North Olmsted, Cleveland Glenville and Cleveland John Hay gathered for Team Camp under a program brought to the community by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Entitled “One Team,” the effort sought to find common ground between athletes from different communities.

North Olmsted head coach Tim Bredinger, Gary Washington (Avon community member), Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen, Robert Douglas (Avon community member), Avon Schools Athletic Director Erich Frombach, Glenville head coach Ted Ginn, Otha Davidson (Avon community member), Avon head coach Mike Elder, John Hay head coach Ron Decipeda, Nobles Darby IV, Director Cuyahoga County Fellowship of Christian Athletes were among the speakers who encouraged athletes from four diverse high schools to come together under an attitude of “One Team.”

Nobles Darby IV, FCA welcomed by Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen.

“We want people to know the goal was to bring together athletes from diverse communities and different backgrounds to unite them under the name of Jesus Christ. That was the whole idea and essence of the camp,” said Nobles Darby IV, Cleveland Area Director Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The camp arose from the need to find answers to the division that has embraced the country since the unrest of last summer.

The voluntary camp saw athletes get together to hone skills, have fun and get to know a little about each other.

‘It birthed out of us receiving a lot of questions arising from 2020 – People asking about FCA’s response to civil unrest,” said Darby. “There was so much unrest and people were asking if the FCA had a response to it.

Teams gather for a group picture: One Team.

“So we thought it would be good to bring together people from different backgrounds and different views of the world. They might find out they have more in common than they thought they had. It was birthed out of the idea of bringing people together and promoting healing out of the platform of sports.”

Ron Decipeda, John Hay head coach.

The camp was highlighted by a pool party at the Avon Aquatic Center the evening of July 26.

Mayor Bryan Jensen welcomed teams and players to the community and introduced several speakers, including North Olmsted head coach Tim Bredinger, Avon head coach Mike Elder, John Hay head coach Ron Decipeda and Glenville head coach Ted Ginn, Sr.

Every speaker professed the power of faith and urged athletes to reach for the higher ground in all they do. Simple things, like saying “please” and “thank you,” taking pride in even simple chores like cutting the grass and focusing on education were among powerful messages of drawing closer to God and learning to love your neighbor as yourself.

John Hay Coach Ron Decipeda called on society to make a real effort in getting to know one another. “When was the last time you had somebody different looking than you have a meal at your house?’” he asked. “If you’re interested in political and economic unity, when was the last time you had someone who made more or less money than you at your house? Until you get together and meet face-to-face, it’s not going to happen.”

With that, Darby led players in a call and response of “One – Team” before the gates to the pool were opened and one and all shared in an evening of fun and fellowship.

“This was the first camp of its kind. We are looking to make it an annual camp that we do yearly,” said Darby.