Olathe NW Girls Basketball Coach Joel Branstrom never expected to become a national sensation, but that's just what happened when he sank the shot heard 'round the world on January 22nd. If you missed the story, you can learn about it here. But even before that half-court prayer was answered, the Metro KC FCA Coaches Ministry team had become big fans of Coach Branstrom and his staff at Olathe NW. Since last fall, Coach Branstrom has been a part of a Legacy Builders Coaches Discipleship Group at ONW. Also a member of that group is one of Joel's assistants, Mardy Robinson. Joel and Mardy have worked together coaching the Ravens for the past five years, and both of them came to Olathe from areas to our west. Joel began his coaching career at Lawrence HS, and Mardy began hers at Basehor-Linwood HS.
Joel and Mardy are two very gifted and accomplished individuals. Take a look at their bios at ravenhoops.com. Seriously, take a look. Otherwise, just trust us, these two have gotten it done in the classroom, on the court as athletes, and now as coaches for many years. When asked about how she incorporates her faith into her life as a coach, Mardy shared this, "As a high school teacher and coach I choose to see my life in public education as a mission field. I try to be a representative of the kingdom, a shining light for Christ. Coaching is a gift that the Lord has blessed me with and I want to share this gift and His love with the players and my fellow coaches. Serving others, specifically students and players, glorifies Christ, the “perfect servant-leader.” We want to praise God when seasons are going well, and glorify Him even when we face adversity."
Coach Branstrom had this to say, "My “life” verse sums it up well. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.' (Proverbs 3:5-6). I have trusted Christ with my spiritual life and my life here on earth. He has been more than faithful in making my paths straight and placed me right where he wants me. I look forward to telling anyone who will listen about the path the Lord has led me on and how it all started with trusting in the Lord’s salvation."
We also asked them about their experience in the Legacy Builders group this year. Joel told us, "The Lord didn’t put us on the world alone. He wants us to be in fellowship with Him. The worst thing that can happen is to be separated from the Creator. As the Word says, “Iron sharpens iron…” and we are to sharpen one another (Prov. 27:17). We are called to stand back to back in order to conquer those things that separate us from God (Ecclesiastes 4:12). The Legacy Builders here at ONW has been a blessing. It’s been special spending time praying with/for each, while discussing how we might encourage our kids by using biblical principles."
Mardy writes, "I love the Legacy Builders Study and the group members here at ONW. Being in this Bible study has helped me establish a spiritual camaraderie with fellow LB members and also given me a sense of accountability to the other coaches. In addition, praying for their requests and focusing on “Coaching to Win God’s Way,” has helped to take the focus off of the sometimes trivial and/or negative aspects of a season. LB helps to remind me that I have been called to coach for an eternal significance."
With her final thought on the question, Mardy quoted one of the memory verses from the Legacy study, Romans 8:28, which reads “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Olathe NW and the entire Metro KC area are blessed to have these two Coaches here who understand and embrace their calling as Coaches for Christ.
