by Clem Boyd, Communication Content Manager
Like a turtle on a fencepost, Pat Estepp wonders how he ended up the head coach of the Cedarville men’s basketball team. But he’s learned not to linger too long on questions like that, but to thank the Lord and enjoy His blessings.
Pat has had much to enjoy in his 13 years coaching basketball at Cedarville: six 20-win seasons; five appearances at national tournaments; and two National Christian College Athletic Association championships, the most recent in 2019.
Pat’s initial connection to Cedarville was legendary men’s basketball coach Don Callan, who encouraged him to join his team. Pat finally did that after one year of studying at the University of Kentucky.
His time as a student included a life-transforming trip to the Philippines with Coach Callan and several of his teammates, some of whom he now counts among his best friends.
With the Lord, Pat has learned to dream big, even during a season marked by uncertainty because of COVID-19. He has great hopes for this season, but, ultimately, he has learned to enjoy today’s blessings and not look too far ahead.
“Just embrace the day, the people, and the journey you’re on with them, and don’t get caught up in what’s coming down the road,” he says in the podcast. “Whether or not we’re going to have a basketball season, or if we’re going to get quarantined — those things can’t dominate our thoughts. Let’s enjoy this moment we have with 15 guys, or with my wife and kids, that I may not have again. Embrace that, enjoy that day, and live in the hope that God’s got all this.”
To listen to the podcast, click on the play button below:
To hear more Cedarville Stories podcasts, click on the link below:
More to the Story
Pat serves as one of two Division II coaches on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Board of Directors.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,550 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation, and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.