Xenia, Ohio- After winning the 2006 William Jones Cup Invitational with an Athletes in Action team, Mike Jarvis, the former St. John’s and George Washington basketball coach, is returning to coach the AIA team in the 2007 edition of the tournament.

The AIA squad will represent the United States’ in the 10-team international basketball tournament that has been held annually since 1977. The squad arrived at AIA Headquarters in Xenia, Ohio on June 24 and departed on Friday June, 29 for Taipei, Taiwan. The tournament will go from July 2-17.

Jarvis, who also coached the men’s basketball team at Boston University and NBA All-Star Patrick Ewing at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, decided to lead the team once again because of the wonderful time he had at the 2006 Jones Cup.

“Last year’s trip to Taiwan was a life-changing experience for me, because it showed me how one can coach and be passionate about coaching while still being a positive disciple of the Lord,” Jarvis said. “I learned that one can coach without using profanity, without a lot of anger, and can be more effective coaching from a positive platform.

“It also really helped grow my faith because of the amount of time we spent in the Bible, studying the Bible, and trying to share the [the message of God’s love],” Jarvis said.

Coach Jarvis is certainly looking forward to the basketball competition, but is also excited about the chances the team will have to reach out to the Taiwanese community, as well as the international basketball community. This outreach will include sharing the message of God’s love with the opposing teams and coaches, putting on basketball clinics, and visiting local orphanages.

“This year we are going to spend a lot of time talking and sharing with young men from other countries that know nothing at all about Jesus Christ,” Jarvis said. “We will also be visiting one all-boys orphanage two or three times, which will be a great opportunity to make a difference.

On the court, the AIA squad will face stiff competition in defending their championship from a year ago. Eight of the nine opposing teams will be bringing their national teams to the tournament.

“We are competing against guys who have been together for months and years, while we have had only eight practices together,” Jarvis said. “It is going to be a great challenge, but I love a challenge and so do the young men representing AIA.”

The team will be made up of primarily Division One basketball players, including players from schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, and Big Twelve Conference. Jarvis will be assisted by Minnesota-Moorhead assistant coach Jason Beschta and former Bryan College head coach Morris Michalski.

According to Jarvis, he will not judge the success of his team in tournament based on wins and losses.

“If we have the same passion and enthusiasm whether we win or lose it will be a successful trip,” Jarvis said. “Through how we play and act we will have a chance to gain a lot of people’s attention.”

Currently, Jarvis is a college basketball announcer for ESPN, but his decision in 2005 to put his faith in Christ, which he calls the “greatest victory of his life”, has led him to be open to whatever plans God has for his future. He certainly feels that one thing God wants him to do is expand his relationship with AIA.

“I am trying to be patient, obedient, and to let God direct my steps,” Jarvis said. “One of the things in the works is to expand my time and commitment with AIA, which could mean doing more AIA tours.”

It also could mean that this might not be Jarvis’ last trip with a Jones Cup team to Taiwan.

Published by BIG Picture Media Group, Inc.

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