As the Friday night lights click on, Griffin Ridner Richard takes a beat. Quarterback of CHCA’s football team, he’s been in this position countless times before, feeling the energy of the crowd as he lines up a play and leads his team to the end zone.
While raucous applause after a touchdown is admittedly a great feeling, Griffin says praise from fans isn’t what keeps him invested in the game.
“Our coaches are truly amazing,” he says. “They have so much experience. Coming out here every day with my teammates just makes the sport that much better.”
In fact, it was a family-like culture that Griffin says drew him to don an Eagle’s jersey in high school. His natural bent toward football (thanks, in part, to his father, who played in college) caught the attention of the Queen City’s most elite programs. But none seemed to offer the type of community he felt could propel him to the next level.
Then he took a serious look at CHCA, where he’d gone to school since 2013.
“There are so many opportunities in sports here,” he says. “The smaller size means I can be more personal with the coaches, and they can focus more on me since there aren’t 100 kids on the team. And I can have deeper, stronger relationships with the people I meet.”
Now a junior and one of CHCA’s top student-athletes, Griffin recognizes the impact of community on personal and spiritual development. As a player, he’s grown in confidence and strengthened his work ethic. As a student, he’s learned how to balance study time with free time. Through both, he feels he’s being prepared for life outside of CHCA.
“Coach Renfroe doesn’t just talk about football; he prepares us for life and uses football as a tool to do so,” says Griffin. “He loves Jesus, and that’s encouraged me to grow my faith. He’s always pushing me to be the best man I can be. Plus, the academics here push me to learn without stressing me out.”
Once football comes to an end, Griffin will shift his focus to the court as part of CHCA’s Boys Basketball—another example of a team that has become like a second family.
“As someone who considered other schools, I’m genuinely glad I came here,” he says. “The coaches care about you so much, and the teachers have your best interests at heart. The people around you surround themselves with God. That makes an impact.”
