As players face new pressures from bettors upset with their performance, chaplains in the NCAA are trying to help students remember their imago Dei.The odds are bringing little favor to college athletes, who are facing more pressure over their performance from bettors.South Carolina’s defeat of Iowa for the women’s NCAA championship on Sunday drew record-breaking betting numbers. BetMGM announced that the game had drawn the most bets of any women’s sporting event ever.Last year, bettors placed more than $15 billion in bets on the men’s college basketball tournament, according to the American Gaming Association. A major weight on players are prop bets, which are usually bets on details of an individual’s performance—like the number of rebounds from Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark.The NCAA estimates that a third of student athletes have been harassed by bettors. It has raised alarms and now is examining how betting and social media more broadly affect student athletes’ wellbeing.“Indirectly, I think players notice that. They may hear it from a fan walking off the court,” said Roger Lipe, who ministers to college coaches and players through Nations of Coaches and is chaplain for the Southern Illinois University men’s basketball team. Lipe was at the Final Four women’s games over the weekend and the concurrent coach’s conference in Cleveland, Ohio.In his 30 years of ministry, a conversation on gambling was often a part of preseason meetings. Betting on sports has been happening for a long time, legal or not, Lipe pointed out.But the legalization of mobile sports betting in states across the country means that it’s much easier for fans to bet, and less taboo. Chaplains have to adapt, Lipe said.In his work, Lipe does book studies with coaching staff, goes to practices, and prays with anyone before ...Continue reading...

As Women's Basketball Booms, Dems Work Overtime to Kill ItAs Women's Basketball Booms, Dems Work Overtime to Kill It...

Today's category: MothersYou're a Mom When? ? ? ? ? ? You know you're a mom when you're up each night until 10 PM vacuuming, dusting, wiping, washing, drying, loading, unloading, shopping, cooking, driving, flushing, ironing, sweeping, picking up, changing sheets, changing diapers, bathing, helping with homework, paying bills, budgeting, clipping coupons, folding clothes, putting to bed, dragging out of bed, brushing, chasing, buckling, feeding (them, Not you), PLUS swinging, playing baseball, bike riding, pushing trucks, cuddling dolls, rollerblading, basketball, football, catch, bubbles, sprinklers, slides, nature walks, coloring, crafts, jumping rope, PLUS raking, trimming, planting, edging, mowing, gardening, painting, and walking the dog. You get up at 5:30 AM and you have no time to eat, sleep, drink or go to the bathroom, and yet ... you still managed to gain 10 pounds.View hundreds more jokes online.Email this joke to a friend

May 25, 2009    Family Picnic–bring your picnic lunch (meat for the grill if you want) and be ready for a great time!  We will be having basketball, volleyball, bocce ball, croquet, ping-pong and balloon relays.  It will be fun for all! Next activities are in June… June 4–Ladies Bible Study, June 12-13–Men & Boys Campout, June 14–Promotion [...]

Does anyone have any ideas for games at the Memorial Day Picnic on Monday? So far, it has been suggested to have ping pong. If anyone has croquet, that would be fun. I also thought water balloons for the kids might be fun. We have a basketball goal, too. I think [...]