MSU athletes putting faith into action

In the world of college athletics where performance pressure runs high, finding a space to pause and decompress can be a challenge. However, for a growing number of athletes at MSU, Tuesday nights have become a space to reflect, recharge and strengthen their faith. Athletes in Action (AIA) is a Christian-based community where a handful of athletes on campus come together to support one another through nurturing both their athletic pursuits and spiritual journeys.

According to the AIA website, the organization has been around since 1996, but MSU’s chapter was founded in the fall of 2019. Current program leader Matt Kirby said he has seen the chapter grow from the start. “The program started out with four athletes from three teams but has grown to many athletes on nearly every team, with about 30 to 40 athletes per meeting,” he explained.

The weekly meetings vary in activity but make time for different athletes to share their journey into faith and hold Bible study with smaller discussion groups, Kirby said. For many members, it is a highlight of their weekend and serves as an opportunity to bond with teammates and new friends.

For MSU freshman and men’s basketball guard Trap Johnson, AIA has become a cornerstone of his college experience. Originally from Belton, Texas, Johnson was determined to find a university where his faith would not only be supported, but could thrive. To Johnson, MSU stood out over top schools — like Yale, where he was also accepted — during his college search, largely because of its active faith-based communities.

“I’ve grown up in the church, and I’ve always believed that God is my Lord and savior,” Johnson said. “When I visited MSU, I knew this was a place where I could grow in my faith, and Yale just wouldn’t do that.”

Since joining AIA, Johnson explained that he has found a welcoming community that has exceeded his expectations. “There are so many great athletes and non-athletes that I’ve met who are solid in their faith,” he said. "We've even started a Bible study within the basketball team."

Johnson’s story is echoed by other MSU athletes who have found both faith and friendship through AIA.

Caroline Hawkes, a sprinter on the track team from San Clemente, California, shared how AIA has been more than just a weekly gathering for her — it’s been a place for spiritual milestones as well. A standout moment for her was when she decided to be baptized and her entire track team, along with athletes from AIA, came to support her during the ceremony. It’s a memory she holds close, one that symbolizes the strength of the community around her.

Similarly, Jabe Mullins, a point guard from Seattle, Washington, has experienced the transformative power of faith through AIA. His college career, like many athletes, has been marked by highs and lows. One such low point came during his senior year.

“I felt like I forgot how to play basketball,” he said. “Looking back, I see that I didn’t have God at the center of my life during that time. God was teaching me to destroy my identity in basketball, and make my full identity in Jesus Christ,” said Mullins.

With a renewed perspective and the support of like-minded individuals, Mullins explained he now approaches basketball with less concern about the outcome and with a clearer sense of purpose.

For many, AIA is a space where they can recharge and refocus on what matters most for them. As AIA continues to grow at MSU, the sense of community remains one of the strongest draws.

For athletes considering joining, Johnson has a simple piece of advice: “Just give it a chance and go once. After that, you can decide if you want to keep coming back, but it’s a great environment, and it’s a lot of fun.”

If you are interested in finding out more about AIA, visit https://athletesinaction.org/campus-movements/montana-state-university-bozeman/.