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Tagged: 1950-1970

  • May 1947

    Presentation Video…65 Years and Counting

    This video presents FCA’s history and culture, since its inception in 1954 until now. And, while FCA was first incorporated in 1954, that date came seven…

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  • March 1954

    "For some time, I have had the idea of forming an organization of athletes and coaches in this hero-worshiping nation of ours. If athletes can endorse shaving cream, razor blades and cigarettes, surely they can endorse the Lord, too. So my idea is to form an organization that would project you as Christian men before the youth and athletes of our nation."

    Don McClanen

    Don McClanen invitation letter quote

    In a letter to 19 athletes, Don McClanen laid out his desire to form an organization that would eventually become the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The letters…

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  • September 1954

    The name 'Fellowship of Christian Athletes' just came naturally. This was a Christian movement totally. We would not be ashamed of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. So we decided on 'Fellowship of Christian Athletes.' At last, this idea and dream had a name."

    FCA founder Don McClanen

    The Dream Gets a Name

    FCA founder Don McClanen shares how FCA’s official name was decided upon. “One of the first names considered was Athletes for Christ. This was so close…

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  • November 1954
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    FCA Founded

    The official chartering date of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes was November 10, 1954. On that day, in Norman, Okla., the organization’s first set of bylaws…

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  • November 1954
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    Founding Fathers

    Four of the founding fathers of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. From left to right: Dr. Louis R. Evans, Dr. Roe Johnston, Don McClanen and Branch…

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  • June 1955
    Branch Rickey1955
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    FCA Gains Solid Footing, Thanks to Branch Rickey

    On June 7, 1955, Pittsburgh Pirates executive Branch Rickey (at podium) hosted a banquet in Pittsburgh to introduce FCA to the region and help gain financial…

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  • February 1956

    Hero Worship Harnessed

    Sports Illustrated featured the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in its Feb. 6, 1956 issue. Less than 15 months after its founding, FCA hit the pages of…

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  • June 1956

    Camp Theme 1956: I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1956 was “I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life.”

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  • August 1956
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    Robin Roberts Pitching for Tomorrow

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  • August 1956
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    First National Conference (Camp) at Estes Park, Colo.

    FCA’s first National Conference in 1956 has been called by many the most important event in FCA’s history. However, there was some doubt as to whether…

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  • August 1956

    "This Fellowship of Christian Athletes is not a namby-pamby thing; it is a courageous organization."

    Branch Rickey

    Click “View Post” to hear Branch Rickey’s address at the first FCA National Conference. (Two parts) Click the arrows below to start the clips.    …

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  • September 1956

    FCA Relocates Headquarters to Kansas City

    FCA moves its offices from Norman, Oklahoma to Kansas City, Missouri.

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  • December 1957
    McClanenGrahamRobinson
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    The Founder, the Football Legend and the Preacher

    FCA founder Don McClanen (left), football legend Otto Graham (center) and Dr. Robert “Jack” Robinson (right), a former basketball star at Baylor University and the pastor…

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  • June 1958
    Wooden Quote
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    “It was only natural that I become involved in FCA.”

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  • August 1958
    GeorgeKellBunt58
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    Batting Champ George Kell at Estes Park, 1958

    George Kell, who won a batting title in 1949 as a member of the Detroit Tigers and would go on to be enshrined in baseball’s Hall…

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  • March 1959

    The Christian Athlete debuts

    The Christian Athlete, the precursor to Sharing the Victory and FCA Magazine, debuts as a one-page, one-fold publication in March, 1959.

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  • March 1959

    Here and There…With F.C.A.

    The following roundup column appeared in the inaugural issue of The Christian Athlete, which was delivered in March, 1959. That first issue was a four-page, digest…

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  • April 1959

    “For Christ and His Church” Shall Ever Be Our Central Theme

    From the very beginning, FCA has emphasized its role in calling athletes and coaches into the Church, including the phrase “…in the fellowship of the Church”…

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  • June 1959

    1959: Let Us Run The Race

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1959 was “Let Us Run The Race.”

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  • August 1959
    BobPettitEstesPark1959
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    Hoops Legend Bob Pettit an FCA Legend, Too

    In this 1959 photo, NBA legend Bob Pettit teaches basketball skills at FCA’s National Convention at Estes Park, Colo. Over the years, Pettit was a part…

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  • April 1960

    A Yankee Looks at Life

    The following article, written by Gary Demarest, appeared in the April, 1960 issue of The Christian Athlete, FCA’s flagship publication at the time. Although the snow…

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  • June 1960

    1960: You Shall Be My Witnesses

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1960 was “You Shall Be My Witnesses.”

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  • June 1961

    1961: Your Body Is A Temple

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1961 was “Your Body Is A Temple.”

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  • August 1961
    BooFerris
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    Lessons from “Boo”

    Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Dave “Boo” Ferriss has been a part of FCA from the very beginning. In this photo, Boo is showing student-athletes at…

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  • August 1961
    Paul Dietzel quote
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    Paul Dietzel

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  • June 1962

    1962: A Faith That Works

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1962 was “A Faith That Works.”

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  • September 1962
    RaferJohnsonCover_Page_2
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    Training to Win

    by Rafer Johnson It is sometimes said that winning is not important, that the important thing is competing. But when we have to go to a…

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  • September 1962
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    Bob Stoddard named FCA’s second executive director

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  • August 1963
    Dan Towler Estes Park 1963
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    Deacon Dan Towler

    “Deacon” Dan Towler, a running back with the Los Angeles Rams from 1950-55, was a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from its inception until…

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  • August 1963
    BobFeller2EstesPark
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    Rapid Robert’s Biggest Victory?

    Bob Feller showed off his Hall of Fame arm to participants of FCA’s National Conference in Estes Park, Colo., in 1963. The former Cleveland Indians flamethrower…

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  • September 1963

    Three Summer Conferences Climax FCA Year

    The following article appeared in the September, 1963 issue of The Christian Athlete, then the flagship publication of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. THREE SUMMER CONFERENCES…

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  • November 1963
    UNC_Page_1
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    FCA Footprint in Land of Tar Heels

    North Carolina basketball legend Dean Smith was in his third year as the Tar Heels’ head coach when this photo was snapped in November, 1963. Smith…

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  • December 1963
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    James Jeffrey named FCA’s third executive director

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  • February 1964
    WoodenHazzard
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    The Wizard and His Protege

    John Wooden would go down as one of the greatest coaches in the history of basketball, or any other sport, leading his UCLA Bruins to 10…

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  • June 1965
    JamesJeffreyQuoteTimeline
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    Isn’t That Just Like The Lord…

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  • June 1965

    1965: The Goal And The Glory

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1965 was “The Goal And The Glory.”

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  • January 1966

    Huddle Program established

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  • June 1966

    1966: A Still More Excellent Way

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1966 was “A Still More Excellent Way.”

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  • February 1967

    First Weekend of Champions held

    In February, 1967, the first Weekend of Champions was held in Kansas City. The FCA staff teamed up with college and professional athletes and coaches and…

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  • June 1967

    1967: Courage To Conquer

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1967 was “Courage To Conquer.”

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  • June 1967
    Influence
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    “Influence” photo taken in 1967

    David Dean was an adorable child and quite an athlete, even at three-and-a-half years old. He had a charming demeanor about him and easily won your…

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  • June 1968

    1968: The Life That Wins

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1968 was “The Life That Wins.”

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  • June 1969

    1969: Run The Great Race…Of Faith

    The FCA Camp theme for the year of 1969 was “Run The Great Race…Of Faith.”

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