Olympic champion wrestler joins local sports ministry

Olympic gold medalist Brandon Slay is joining Kansas City-based SportsLife Leadership as executive director of SportsLife Wrestling. The announcement comes as Slay transitions from his successful nine-year tenure as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center.

Slay won a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and was a two-time NCAA national runner-up, an All-American and a four-time All-Ivy League athlete at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2016, he was honored as a distinguished member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. His overtime victory in Sydney is still considered one of the biggest upsets in United States wrestling history.

“Brandon and I have partnered together for many years in ministry,” SportsLife’s Carl Perry said. “He has an incredible love for Jesus and for people. Brandon also brings extensive experience in building programs and developing individuals to help them take the next step. His addition as executive director immediately elevates SportsLife Wrestling and positions us for long-term success.”

Slay spent eight years as head coach at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and was the national development coach for USA Wrestling during the London and Rio Olympics. He also was head coach of the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center in Philadelphia, overseeing athletes through the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. “The wrestling community needs more than just technical training,” Slay recently told Christian News Wire. “We aim to infuse Jesus into wrestling through SportsLife Wrestling, and along the way, we want to develop leaders who can expand the ministry.”

“I have always been passionate about sharing the gospel through wrestling,” he said. “I cherished those 14 years and know that God accomplished great work through Carl and his staff. The prospect of reconnecting with them and engaging more directly in day-to-day ministry efforts resonated deeply with my heart.”

SportsLife’s unique mission is to use sport-specific ministries to disciple and mentor Christian sports leaders through training, resources and programs. For SportsLife Wrestling, training will occur primarily through Bible studies, while resources will include curriculum, wrestling-specific Bibles, YouVersion reading plans and inspirational videos featuring testimonies from influential athletes and coaches.

“We believe that working at the highest level in wrestling will create the most significant impact,” President Dan Britton said. “Brandon’s extensive wrestling history and experience lend immediate credibility in the wrestling community, allowing us to better serve coaches and athletes. He is truly a leader of leaders, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team, where his talents and strengths will expand our ministry globally.”

More information is available at SportsLife Leadership.

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice