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Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
by Tom Kelley
Marshalltown, Iowa. Why Marshalltown, Iowa? Because Marshalltown, Iowa is where the legend began. Legends always have to begin somewhere and this one began in Marshalltown, Iowa in the mid 1920s. A young man with a drive in his spirit that few had seen before was new to this small town in Iowa. The school had a limited budget as schools did then. Many of the teachers were not only coaches but also coaches of several sports.
Adolph Rupp was the coach...of the wrestling team. Before he came, the team had struggled to get boys involved and those who were involved weren't very proficient as wrestlers. Rupp knew what he knew about wrestling but that wasn't much. But he knew how to implant the will to win in the hearts of young men. That was something that wasn't tied to a particular sport.
In 1926 the wrestling team from Marshalltown, Iowa won the state championship under the tutelage of a man who would go on to become one of the most legendary figures in college basketball history. Adolph Rupp was a master at molding people into teams. He could make five young men think as one. When that happened on a basketball court it started the greatest dynasty in college basketball. No other college program has won as many games as has the University of Kentucky Men's Basketball Program.
Many people forget that basketball is a team sport. Same way with football, baseball, hockey, volleyball, soccer, etc. Team sports require a team mentality that places the good of the squad at the forefront. Self has no place in the equation. God's kingdom is a team. Sometimes that team runs to disunity as self satisfaction becomes the Christian's goal.
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6 "But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' " 1 Corinthians 12:20, 21 God has chosen to accomplish His will through a team, the body of His Son Jesus...the church. Are you a part of the team?
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...He was the Minister of the Minorsville Christian Church located near Stamping Ground, KY.
...Becky and Tom have three children; John, single and in worship ministry in Nicholasville, Kentucky; Sean, married (Jennifer, elementary school teacher) with twins (Grace and Patrick, b.d. 10/31/04) and regional director of Papa John's Pizza in Central KY; Kara, married (Vince Taylor, prison guard) and working with Hospice East in Winchester, KY.
...Tom went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer. If you have been touched by Tom's writings please send an email to Tom's son at jkelley@catalystchristian.net
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