TIU Eagles Connection

Three Trinity International University (TIU) students have committed their summer to share the Gospel through the universal language of soccer.

Seniors Andy Plascencia, Bobby McColl and sophomore Karen Ibata will join other collegiate athletes from across the nation, seeking to play and coach as a part of the ‘08 Chicago Eagles Academy.

The Academy provides a four-day sports ministry training seminar, a two-week missions tour in Brazil, and a five-week camp outreach in the Chicagoland area.

This will be Plascencia’s fourth summer with Eagles, and his is looking forward to returning to Brazil this summer to see the growth from his last tour.

“One day, I will see what my sacrifice has meant,” said Plascencia. “I await the day when I stand in heaven and one of these boys or girls tap me on the shoulder, stand before me and say, 'remember me? I'm here because you introduced me to Christ'.”

Plascencia is committed to advance the Kingdom through the talents and abilities God blessed him with in this life.

“Being able to be a part of something eternal and knowing that I can share good news through one of my biggest passions,” said Plascencia.

The sports ministry training curriculum material has been adapted from the literature of Athletes In Action (AIA), a division of Campus Crusade for Crusade.

In Rio de Janeiro, the Academy will apply the training to run clinics and camps for underprivileged children, partner with local churches, and use soccer as a platform to share the Gospel.

The Academy finishes off in Chicago with five weeks of youth soccer camps. The Chicago Eagles men and women also have the opportunity to play in the Illinois State Soccer Association U23 league, which is especially helpful for those who need to prepare for their fall college seasons.

Based out of Wheaton, the Eagles are the Midwest division of Missionary Athletes International (MAI), a non-profit, interdenominational sports ministry. Their goal is to share the message of Jesus Christ through the environment of soccer by their commitment to training athletes in the disciplines of sports ministry.

In 1987, rival coaches of Biola University and Azusa Pacific University of Southern California envisioned a fusion of soccer with ministry. They started the Orange County Seahorses, a program designed to enable college-aged soccer athletes to travel overseas and impact the world for Christ. Upon this vision, Missionary Athletes International was born and it focused solely on the universally beloved game of soccer.

MAI has had many ties with TIU athletics.

Women’s soccer player and Southern California native Christine Naumo played for the Seahorses when she red-shirted her freshman year at Hope International University (HIU).

“We have been blessed with high participation from Trinity,” said Chicago Eagles Director Rick McKinley.

TIU Women’s soccer alum Val Tom is a full time missionary with the Chicago Eagles.

The ’07 Academy included Ryan Dollard, Loryssa Simas, Wendy Moore, Ruth Kratzer, Bobby McColl, and returners Plascencia and Tom.


The ’06 Academy players included TIU alumnus Val Tom, Nicole Collins, and Serena Bjurlin, and returner Plascencia.

Athletic Director and Women’s Soccer Head Coach Patrick Gilliam and assistant Kelvin Tohme coached the ’05 Chicago Eagles women’s team, and TIU Men’s Soccer Head Coach Chris Bergmann coached the Eagle’s men’s team.

The ’05 Academy players included TIU Women’s soccer assistant coach and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) student Ryan Erickson, TIU alumni Missy Ruggiero, Kelly Cambell and Lindy Flanigan, TIU Women’s Soccer reserve head coach and alumnus Jeanne Shambach, TIU Women’s Softball Assistant Coach and alumnus Heather Patnaude, TIU students Hannah Peterson, Tami Burke, Heidi Ebersole, Andy Plascencia, and TEDS Records Secretary Krista Cox.

“My Trinity teammates have come back with such great stories and experiences, they all speak very highly of the Eagles,” said Karen Ibata, who has committed to the Eagles Academy for this summer. “It seemed like the perfect opportunity combining soccer, ministry and kids - it was too good to pass up… I also need to make sure I am staying in shape for soccer.”

Ibata is excited to do missions in Brazil and will be playing for her third year on the TIU women’s soccer team in the fall.