Spiritual Formation Director - Christopher Klotz
Women's Soccer Assistant Coach
PHONE: (949) 280-1708
@LipscombWSOC
EMAIL: cpklotz@mail.lipscomb.edu
His Story:
Christopher Klotz, AKA "Klotzy" is in his 3rd year at Lipscomb University. Klotzy desires to invest and share the deep love of Christ with all people he meets. He has for many years used the platform of soccer to do this. Klotzy joined the Bisons with a wealth of playing experience. He played his college soccer at UC Irvine, where he was a three-year team captain and two-time All-Big West selection. While earning a degree in Sociology and a minor in Education at UC Irvine, Klotzy was a three-time scholar athlete and President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Following his collegiate career, Klotzy played six years of professional soccer for the Charlotte Eagles. He helped the Eagles to three USL Second Division National Championship appearances during his tenure. Klotzy also served as the Charlotte Eagles Camp Director and has brought incredible leadership and organizational experience to Lipscomb Athletics. The Charlotte Eagles Summer Soccer Camp saw over 1,000 youth soccer players each summer. The purpose of each camp was to teach soccer, but ultimately share the Gospel, and Klotzy was responsible over all aspects. Additionally, Klotzy created, and taught the Charlotte Eagles sports ministry curriculum to the men and women’s soccer teams and led numerous mission trips around the world. Klotzy lived in Africa working with Serving in Missions (SIM), Sports Friends, and Missionary Athletes International where he created and implemented curriculum for developing and training coaches in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Ethiopia. Klotzy also brings professional teaching experience with him, as he taught middle school and high school Biblical Studies courses while in Charlotte. His classes consisted of New Testament Survey, World Religions, Contemporary/ Moral Issues, Biblical Character, and Sports Ministry at Grace Academy in Matthews, NC.
Today, Klotzy mentors young men, leads mission trips, leads athletes break out chapel on campus, organizes weekly coaches devotionals, and speaks at numerous chapels and FCA events. Klotzy would tell you- Life within Lipscomb Athletics is about more than just winning and losing games.
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Director of Women's Spiritual Formation - Shannon O'Brien
PHONE: (615) 497-2952
EMAIL: shannonart@juno.com
Her Story:
Shannon O’Brien begins her third year with the Lady Bisons after joining her husband, Kevin, on staff in 2012. Shannon desires to encourage and invest in helping people understand the Word of God, and grow in understanding their God-given design & influence and how to make the most of their days in Christ.
O’Brien, originally from Phoenix, Ariz., and a Visual Communications B.F.A major, had a standout soccer career at the University of Arizona. O’Brien is in the U of A record books for the fewest goals allowed in a career, an All Pac-10 academic team selection, and the team MVP her senior year. Shannon was involved in Athletes in Action campus ministry, and a Pac-10 rep for their Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Following her collegiate career, O’Brien played for the USL W-League with the Charlotte Lady Eagles for six years, serving as team captain for three. Shannon helped lead her team to multiple playoff championships including one National Championship game. Most recently, Shannon was selected to the WPSL Southeast All-Conference Team as a Goal Keeper in the summer of 2014 while playing for the Nashville Wolves.
Shannon’s ministry experience began with the Charlotte Lady Eagle’s women’s ministry leading multiple Bible studies, devotionals, speaking engagements, and international mission trips. Shannon has been on six mission trips, three of which were through Missionary Athletes International with the Charlotte Lady Eagles, which include international playing tours in Singapore, Thailand, and Germany. On these trips she learned how to use the platform of sport and how your influence as an athlete can break barriers and share the Gospel of Christ with others. Within Lipscomb, Shannon has co-led three other mission trips, which include serving with Lipscomb Volleyball (LUV) in Rio De Janiero, Brazil; Dominican Republic with Lipscomb Women’s Basketball, and Atlanta, GA with Lipscomb Women’s Tennis.
Today, Shannon mentors young women, co-leads mission trips, leads a student Bible study, and speaks at women events. Shannon would tell you- Life within Lipscomb Athletics is about more than just the game.
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Spiritual Formation Graduate Assistant - Aaron Spragg
EMAIL: ahspragg@mail.lipscomb.edu
His Story:
Former Lipscomb student athlete, Aaron Spragg joined the Spiritual Formations team in August 2014. Aaron graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurship and has recently started his Masters Degree in Business Administration. During Spragg’s bison baseball career, he played all four in-field positions, most often found at shortstop and second base. Aaron would tell you, life within Lipscomb Athletics is about more than just the double plays, and home runs.
He has been a standout sportsman in character and attitude amongst his athletic peers. Aaron was the FCA Vice President, and served on four mission trips to Honduras. Aaron co-led a mission trip his senior year to Jovenes En Camino to serve the families of the Hondurans foster care program. Aaron noted that the simple life of the Honduran people brought them great joy; challenging Aaron to do the same in his every day life. Through these trips, he has realized the biblical truth and power of building intentional relationships with others and walking with them through the ups and downs of life. Aaron desires to help encourage other students to get involved and serve in the local Nashville area community.
Today, Aaron is helping to oversee FCA and lead our local outreach at Carter Lawrence Elementary School. Aaron is organizing and taking Lipscomb student-athletes weekly to Carter Lawrence to teach character traits through different sports to students in an after school program. Additionally, Aaron is mentoring middle school students, coaching two youth travel baseball teams and is looking forward to leading another mission trip returning to Honduras this winter.
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Spiritual Formation Graduate Assistant - Alex Newby
EMAIL: manewby@mail.lipscomb.edu
Her Story:
Former Lipscomb student-athlete, Alex Newby, begins her first semester on the Spiritual Formations team after graduating in December 2014. Alex was a member of the Lipscomb track and cross country team during her 4.5 years as a student-athlete. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and is now pursuing a Masters Degree in Education. As an athlete, Newby considered herself a long distance runner and specialized in the 5k/10k on the track. Although her career was plagued with injuries, she says that running for the Bisons was one of the best decisions she has ever made. She loves that Lipscomb Athletics builds its competitive foundation on something much more solid than athletics alone.
Originally from Knoxville, Newby has grown up playing competitive sports and decided to stick with running on the collegiate stage. During her time at Lipscomb, she was an All-Conference selection and Academic all-conference. Outside of athletics, Alex has been Lipscomb FCA President and served on three mission trips to Honduras and Haiti (with the track team). These trips have sparked her passion for encouraging and supporting brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world and spreading the love of Christ and His Word to those who don’t know Him. She says that her mission experiences have shown her that a greater Hope in this world is needed by everyone everywhere. Alex has also interned and worked closely with the Hillsboro Youth Group in Nashville for the past 2 years. She has also volunteered as a tutor at the Youth Life Learning Center in Nashville and Cameron Middle School.
Today, Alex is continuing to help oversee and lead FCA. She will be helping Shannon O’Brien in leading a women’s Bible study and is excited to see what the Lord has in store for Lipscomb Athletics. “If you are looking to have your life changed, play a sport at Lipscomb,” she says.
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