Faith and Athletics:
Competition and the Love of God
3:10 PM
The modern concept of athletics is inseparable from competition. This view is even presented in the Bible, where the Apostle Paul writes “In a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Winning occurs at the expense of the competitors, and one study indicates that the most successful athletes view their opponents as temporary enemies. Yet such a mindset seems to conflict with Jesus’ urging to be humble, his promise that the meek shall inherit the earth, and his directive to love our enemies. These panelists have experienced successes—and failures—at the highest levels of athletics. They will offer their insights on how they reconcile their faith with the demands of their sport, and how they live out their faith in an industry with different priorities.
Interviewer
C. William Pollock, D’72
Founder and Chairman, NIP, Inc.
Bill Pollock founded NIP, Inc. in 2004, a leading independent risk management and financial solutions organization. Mr. Pollock has more than 30 years experience as Chairman and CEO of various companies he has formed or acquired.
During Mr. Pollock’s career, he has practiced law, been general counsel of a large company and has formed, consolidated, acquired and sold several businesses. As Chairman and CEO of all his corporate formations, one of his largest and most successful was Hanover Energy which included the acquisition of United Gas Pipeline, a large interstate gas pipeline which had 1,700 employees and $1.5 billion of assets.
Mr. Pollock graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa earning a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and received a juris doctorate from the University of Virginia. He also played quarterback on three consecutive Ivy League Championship football teams.
Guest
Jeff Kemp D’81
