Mississippi College becomes first university in the world to be inducted into FCA’s Ring of Honor

L to R: ±«ÓãtvPresident Blake Thompson; Cooper Gadman, ±«Óãtvalum and FCA staff member; Shane Bennett, ±«ÓãtvFCA director; and Shane Williamson, president and CEO of FCA

Mississippi College (MC) was welcomed into the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ (FCA) Ring of Honor during an induction ceremony on Oct. 22 at FCA’s National Support Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

±«Óãtvis the first university to be so honored by the non-denominational Christian sports ministry that unites faith and athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ.

Just 120 Ring of Honor recipients have demonstrated a significant commitment to Jesus Christ through the ministry of FCA and upheld its core values of integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence.

±«ÓãtvPresident Blake Thompson accepted the award on behalf of the University from FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson.

“It is an honor to be the first university recognized by FCA with this distinction,” Thompson said. “Our partnership with FCA — spanning the past 60 years — is essential to the culture of our athletic programs and our entire campus. ±«Óãtvand FCA could not be more closely aligned in our work to see this world transformed by Jesus.”

Mississippi College’s association with FCA goes back more than 60 years. ±«ÓãtvBaseball Coach John Smith started the FCA chapter on the Clinton campus in 1964. Former ±«ÓãtvAthletic Director Mike Jones further enhanced the relationship in the 1990s through dedicated fundraising and programmatic efforts.

Current ±«ÓãtvAthletic Director Kenny Bizot said that the long-running association has been a great benefit to the athletic department.

“We are thankful for our ±«Óãtvleaders over the years who recognized the importance of the relationship with FCA. We are extremely proud to be part of an organization that encourages our student-athletes to be servant leaders and to lead through their faith,” Bizot said. “I am very grateful for our FCA director, Shane Bennett. He has done great things for our student-athletes through FCA.

“Being inducted into the FCA Ring of Honor reflects the heart of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and our University, living our faith through competition and service.”

Cooper Gadman, a recent ±«Óãtvgraduate, former ±«Óãtvstudent-athlete and current FCA staff member, spoke on behalf of the ±«ÓãtvFCA at the Ring of Honor ceremony.

Part of the Tom Landry Associates Program, the Ring of Honor is awarded to those who have contributed $1 million or more to FCA. Shane Bennett, ±«ÓãtvFCA director, said the University reached that giving mark in 2024.

“MC’s coaches, student-athletes and alumni benefit from FCA, an organization that helps them grow in their relationship with Jesus,” Bennett said. “In turn, they go out into the world, sharing the Word of God.”

Since 1954, FCA has engaged, equipped and empowered coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to unite, inspire and change the world through the Gospel.

To learn more about FCA and its mission, visit .