Phog Allen is a legend as a basketball coach. He is the winningest basketball coach to ever walk the sidelines at the University of Kansas. In fact, when he retired he had more wins than anyone in college history.

Many people know his success on the court. The building is named after him. In fact, one of the most common phrases is “Beware of the Phog.”

What a lot of people do not know is that late in his career Allen was instrumental in starting the organization called Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

In 1954, two years before he retired from coaching at KU, Allen played a key role in the formation and development of FCA. He was one of the founding leaders and due to his prominent role, several high school coaches, especially in eastern Kansas around Lawrence, were among the first in the nation to participate in FCA events.

That put the state of Kansas as an early leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes actually started with its headquarters in Oklahoma in 1954 but two years later moved to Kansas City.

Since that time FCA has grown into a nationwide organization. There are 15,000 registered middle schools, high schools and colleges with FCA across the country. Between 450,000-500,000 student-athletes participate in local huddles.

A huddle is a meeting of which most are held weekly. Globally, more than two million coaches and athletes are participating in FCA. The focus, especially at the high school level, is for the organization to be student-led.

Huddles generally take place before school or after school. Oftentimes it involves snacks, an ice-breaker, student-led devotions and guest speakers.

Here in Great Bend, the high school has had it in place for several years.

At GBHS, Karen Moeder is the sponsor for the program. She is in her third year. But the direction of the program is steered by its student members.

“The days we meet every year are decided by our leadership board and we haven’t completely decided yet,” Moeder said. “We are in the process of having students join our club.”

The club is active during the school year. It meets a couple of times in a month prior to school.

There is a welcome back event as well as a float in the Great Bend Homecoming Parade for the club members to ride on.

In addition, there are several potluck meals to celebrate special events together. They will also participate in community service activities.

“The Encounter Church helps with a few of our events and BCC also helps to sponsor us,” Moeder said. “My favorite parts of FCA include watching our students spread their love of Jesus in our school, among the students, and in our community!”

Great Bend Middle School has also adopted the program.

Priscilla Rose, a math teacher at the school, takes over this fall. She spent time this summer going through some training to take over for Jeff Johnson, who led the club the last few years.

“I went to a summer workshop and have been completing the online training courses they are now implementing,” Rose said. “I learned quite a bit. They have a new system that huddle leaders have to complete.”

The middle school will meet on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. Rose said the meeting would consist of a breakfast and devotionals with a once a month huddle meeting outside of school that will be longer than 20 minutes.

Right now, Rose is looking for local churches willing to provide a quick grab and go breakfast for the members of the huddle.

She is also looking to take a group of students to Field of Faith in Sterling on Sept. 30. That event is a student-led outdoor worship event held at the football stadium at Sterling College.

One of the more known events for FCA is “See You at the Flag Pole.” The fourth Wednesday of every September, FCA members meet 30-45 minutes before school starts. They hold hands, pray and sing songs.

Members typically offer prayers for teachers, classmates, administration, families and the local community. It got its start in Texas in 1990. The flagpole was chosen because nearly every school had one.

Any church or organization wanting to contribute to the local FCA organizations, contact the schools itself or USD 428 to let them know.