The Rev. Scott Adams will be transitioning roles from University Pastor to Chaplain of Athletics at California Lutheran University. Having been at Cal Lutheran for two years, Adams said he has always been involved with supporting the university’s athletic teams. 

With the focus now mainly on athletes, Adams said he plans to help student-athletes get the most out of their college experience through faith, spiritual practices, frameworks, and principles.

“Cultivating empowerment and what it takes to be successful not only in their sport but in life, it’s imperative students reach the levels they want to reach as individuals,” Adams said.

Adams, a Christian-based pastor, said he understands that all athletes do not share the same spiritual beliefs, Adams said his unique approach that stems from an interfaith context. This approach allows Adams to understand and meet the needs of an athlete.

“If a person comes in and is from a different faith or doesn’t have faith, I operate from what I call the ministry of presence. I’m present with that person out of love, concern, and deep belief in the value of humanity,” Adams said.

Adams hails from Baltimore, MA, and used to be an athlete himself. Adams said he played baseball as a center fielder. He said no matter the sport, athletes must enjoy what they do and love the game that they are blessed to play.

“There are certain principles embedded in sports that can give you wisdom and insight in life. If we translate what we’re learning in the field or in the realm of sports and apply those things to life, we can be successful beyond measure,” Adams said.

Adams said discipline is a key factor ties that fruit of the spirit from Galatians chapter five in the Bible to sports.

“If you practice discipline over and over again, it becomes automatic. You want to get to a point where you don’t even think about the movement and it’s the same intense repetition,” Adams said.

Sophomore basketball player and track and field athlete Camden Hyde, along with sophomore water polo goalkeeper Jack Germann shared the importance of their faith and how it helps them in their sports and life. 

Hyde started his own Bible study last year on campus called “The Alternative,” which is held on Friday nights at 8 p.m.

“It’s great to have this available to students outside of sports and academics as a diverse and social alternative,” Hyde said.

Hyde is also a leader in Young Life at Cal Lutheran. Young Life conducts campus outreach with projects and events to promote its ministry and club on campus. Hyde shared how his faith walk has grown from last year to now with the understanding that college sports can get tough sometimes.

“If you’re not grounded in something bigger than yourself or how you’re performing, you could become depressed, tired, or anxious a lot of times. At the end of the day, whether I hit the game-winning shot or not, I have a faith in Jesus that is bigger than that,” Hyde said.

Whether it’s on the court or on the track, Hyde said his faith is a pillar in who he is and what he embodies as a student-athlete.

“Any time I’m in competition and in the moment, how I perform is not my ultimate judgment. I can be confident in knowing that I’ve put in the physical, and mental work while also having that spiritual guide that will allow me to perform at the highest level,” Hyde said.

Germann shared his favorite scripture that keeps him grounded throughout his journey and within his sport.

“When I’m feeling like I’m coming up short or I could do more, Psalms 23:1 keeps coming up and it says, ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.’ Whenever I feel anxious, or I could push myself a little bit more in the swim set, or I’m not doing good enough, I realize that no matter what happens, the Lord is my shepherd and; what more could I want than that,” Germann said.

Despite Adams’ new role, he said he will sporadically be continuing his ministries in Cal Lutheran’s chapel on Thursdays at 11:25 a.m. while serving as Chaplain of Athletics. Adams said he also plans to have weekly Bible studies and chapel services primarily for athletes, but all are welcome to attend. 

“Having all of that incorporated in the work that I still do, I’m excited about that.”