Providence Academy Athleticism and Heart: Conference Champions and Huts for Homes

(October 19^th, 2009) – Providence Academy’s Varsity Football team won the Minnesota Christian Athletic Association (MCAA) conference championship last Wednesday night with a 42-3 victory over Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity High Schools.  This win maintained the Academy’s undefeated status for the 2009 season and marked their first football conference championship in their short five-year team history.

The Lions’ victory over the Bulldogs was led by senior running back John Noble, with over 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns, each averaging 63 yards. The Lions’ defense gave a dominating performance and only allowed a field goal for the Bulldogs.  Lions’ Head Coach Nate Harrington said, “It was a balanced win with all three units—offense, defense and special teams—playing exceptionally well. It was nice to put together a great team effort in winning our first conference championship. The team showed a lot of determination, executed plays well and took pride in putting together a true team effort.”

Not only has the Academy’s football team taken pride in its first conference championship, but the players and coaches also have reason to take pride for their activities off the field. The team participates in a mission known as the Huts for Homes Project, which is run through the International Foundation. This non-denominational religious organization helps the poor and less fortunate throughout the world.

Lions’ Offensive Coach Roger Lipelt described the Academy’s history with Huts for Homes as a major group effort by people from the Wayzata-Plymouth area. David Stavros, former linebacker coach for Wayzata High School in the 1980s, and his wife, Gina, are two missionaries that the Lions’ players and coaches work with to assist needy families. Their group, known as “The Amigos,” started by helping seven families from the village of Flores de Villa, located outside of Lima, Peru. Today, this number has grown significantly and this humanitarian effort has helped over 50 families.

After spending time in the village, it became evident that safe housing was an issue. Home for these Peruvians consisted of cardboard and bamboo shacks with dirt floors, no running water, and oftentimes no roofs. Lipelt said, “The Providence Academy football team, by executing various fundraising programs, is now a part of the organized effort to provide homes for these needy people.” He went on to add that the team is currently raising funds to build a third home in Peru.

The Providence Academy Lions have athletically defined themselves with the school’s first football conference championship, and continue to demonstrate what it takes to be successful both on and off the field.

Providence Academy Lions receive a warm welcome from local Peruvians at the airport. The Academy’s players and coaches team up with David and Gina Stavros to help needy families in the village of Flores de Villa through a program called Huts for Homes.

Providence Academy Football Lions players and coaches support Peruvian villagers from Flores de Villa through a program called Huts for Homes. This organized effort helps needy families by providing them a safe home.

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