By Noah Spielman
When I think about the people and programs that shaped who I am today, Young Life is right at the top of the list. Long before I was coaching athletes in the weight room or walking the sidelines of Division I football, I was a kid trying to figure out who I was and what really mattered. It was through Young Life that I first encountered mentors who cared more about me than what I could do on a field.
Now, as a coach, that influence continues to show up in my life. Young Life helped shape my heart for ministry and leadership, and it continues to fuel how I invest in the athletes I serve. Because at the end of the day, wins and losses fade—but the impact we make on people lasts a lifetime.
More Than a Bible Study
If you’ve ever been around Young Life, you know it doesn’t look like your traditional church group. It’s built on relationships—real, authentic friendships with high school and college students who are navigating some of the most defining years of their lives. Young Life leaders don’t wait for kids to come to them. They show up—at games, at lunch tables, at the places where students already are. And then they earn the right to be heard.
That relational model changed everything for me. I didn’t grow up needing someone to explain hard work—I got that from sports. But I did need people who could walk with me through questions of faith, identity, and purpose. Young Life provided that space. And more importantly, the leaders showed me what it looked like to live with integrity and joy in a world that often pulls us in other directions.
Athletes Need More Than Training Plans
Working with college athletes every day, I see just how much pressure they carry. They’re balancing academics, family expectations, personal struggles, social dynamics, and the weight of performing at a high level in their sport. That’s a lot for anyone, especially when your identity is tied so tightly to how well you play.
That’s why my job as a performance coach is about more than just building stronger bodies. I want to help build stronger people. I want our guys to know that they are seen, valued, and loved—not for what they do, but for who they are. That kind of investment doesn’t come from programming sets and reps. It comes from showing up consistently, having real conversations, and pointing them toward something bigger than the game.
The Young Life Model in College Athletics
The heartbeat of Young Life—being present, leading with love, and sharing Christ through relationship—is something I try to live out every day in the college setting. It doesn’t mean I’m preaching sermons in the weight room. But it does mean I’m intentional about how I treat people, how I listen, and how I show up for my players even when it’s inconvenient.
Sometimes that looks like staying after a lift to talk through life stuff. Other times, it’s sending a text of encouragement before a big exam or checking in when I know a player’s going through a tough time. The goal isn’t to “fix” anyone, it’s to walk with them. Just like Young Life leaders walked with me.
Lasting Impact Starts With Presence
We talk a lot about legacy in sports. But too often, we define it by stats and accomplishments. I think true legacy is measured by people. Who did you impact? Who remembers how you made them feel? Who’s living differently because of the time you took to care?
Young Life taught me that presence is powerful. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be there. Be consistent. Be honest. Be loving. That’s what builds trust. That’s what changes lives.
And in a college locker room, where young men are forming their beliefs and figuring out who they want to become, that kind of steady presence can make all the difference.
Faith Isn’t Forced—It’s Lived
One of the things I love about Young Life is that it never felt pushy. The leaders didn’t shove faith in my face—they lived it out. And because of that, I was drawn in. I try to do the same as a coach. I don’t need to preach at my players. I just need to love them well, serve them with integrity, and be willing to have real conversations when the time comes.
And when players ask me about my why—why I coach the way I do, why I care so much about culture and accountability—I point to my faith. Because for me, Jesus isn’t a side note. He’s the foundation. And the more I center my life on Him, the more I’m able to love and lead others the right way.
Final Thoughts
Young Life changed my life. It introduced me to mentors who saw my potential beyond football, challenged me to grow in my faith, and gave me a vision for investing in others. Now, I get to carry that legacy forward every day in my role as a coach.
I believe that when we prioritize people over performance, faith over fear, and love over ego, we build something that lasts. And whether or not our athletes ever step onto a pro field, I hope they walk away from our program knowing that they were known, valued, and equipped for whatever comes next.
That’s the kind of impact I want to make. And I’m grateful to Young Life for showing me how.