Athletes in Action sports ministry reaching people for Christ Athletes in Action Mission: One World - One Language - One Message
 
August 2006  
 
Athletes in Action Timeline: Celebrating 40 Years

Year
1966 Dave Hannah launches Athletes in Action. Serves as AIA National Director until 1989.
1968 Basketball elevates ministry nationally
1972
    Ministry to collegiate athletes begins. A field ministry begins, influencing college athletes through outreaches, evangelism and discipleship. Seven staff serve on seven campuses.    
1974

Ministry to pro athletes born in five cities. Launched by Wendel Deyo who later serves as AIA National Director 1989-1999.

1977

First-ever women’s international basketball team competes in Europe. Pioneered by Barb Bernlohr.

1978

Start of AIA works of evangelism and discipleship overseas. Staff serve in former communist block.

1984
    Cindy (Nero) White’s proposal to target female athletes receives acceptance from ministry leadership
1988

AIA co-hosts the inaugural World Congress of Sports at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. Hundreds from around the world receive training in athletic ministry.

 

Hundreds of collegiate athletes gather in Colorado for AIA’s camp and summer project

 
    First AIA Super Bowl Breakfast held in San Diego
1989

AIA National Headquarters moves from Southern California to Cincinnati

1992

Blitzing Barcelona—AIA provides ministry training to 250 people from 38 countries. AIA’s international presence expands to 37 countries.

1995
    AIA-USA women’s basketball team is developed
1997

SportLINC launched—Full-time staff help train student-athletes and others to develop sports ministries on local campuses

  More than 6,000 college and professional athletes and coaches are discipled on nearly 80 sports campuses and 35 pro teams
  AIA Basketball celebrates 30 years
 

Production of “Give Me the Rock” (NBA video) and “Spirit of the  Game” (NFL video) completed. AIA launched global ministry   strategy—an aggressive campaign geared to expose a half billion people to Christ.

June 26th, 2000 AIA’s World Training & Resource Center (WTRC) officially opens on the Legacy Campus
July 2001 William (Bill) Pugh named president of AIA
April 2002 Dedication of Bright & Hannah buildings (WTRC)
August 2002 First Board of Trustees meeting
May 2004 First Women’s Advisory Board meeting
  International Cabinet
 

Global Media Summit—Executives and leaders from around the world gathered to cast vision and prioritize media objectives in conjunction with kickoff of AIA Media

August 27th, 2004

Dedication of dorms (Browne, Ellison, TLB, Kruse, Grace)

December 2004 Schindler Banquet Hall dedication
January 2005 Field Staff Conference
August 2005 Women’s Leadership Conference
October 2005

NABC Coaches Clinic (National Association of Basketball Coaches)

April 22nd, 2006 “Dirt moving” on athletic fields
May 9th, 2006 Inaugural Night of Champions
Summer 2006 Inaugural season for AIA Xenia baseball team