Don McClanen, founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), died Tuesday (Feb. 16) at the age of 91.
McClanen was the athletic director and men’s basketball coach at Eastern Oklahoma University; he dreamed of using sports as an outlet to express Christian faith. That dream eventually led to FCA, an organization that now includes over 450,000 participants in 55 countries.
FCA president and CEO Les Steckel said, “Don’s unwavering commitment and vision truly enabled FCA to grow to where it is today, encouraging millions of coaches and athletes to lead lives that are dedicated to Christ. Sixty-two years later, that vision is alive and well through FCA, influencing lives for Christ across the globe—an amazing legacy.”
McClanen served at FCA for seven years. After that he went on to found the Faith and Money Network to train Christians in financial skills. He also created Washington Lift, an organization to develop leadership skills in inner-city youth, according to Christianity Today.
Steckel said, "If there is ever a question about what God can do with a life totally surrendered, called and risking all to follow His vision, we can point to a young basketball coach from Oklahoma, who in 1954 saw the potential of athletes and coaches to share the gospel with the world.”
Publication date: February 19, 2016