(Kansas City, MO) – The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the world’s largest sports ministry which relies heavily on the work of volunteers, inducts several of those individuals into its Hall of Champions each year. Five names that made a tremendous impact on the ministry were announced today as the Class of 2008.

The Hall of Champions was established in 1991 to honor individuals who have demonstrated a consistent commitment to Jesus Christ through the ministry of FCA. They are considered volunteer “All Stars” who have given above and beyond the call of duty and have upheld the Four Core Values of FCA – Integrity, Serving, Teamwork, and Excellence.

The recipients are determined each year by a FCA Selection Committee following a nomination process that includes staff, volunteers, athletes, and the organization’s Board of Trustees.

The Class of 2008 includes: Edward Britton III, captain of the U.S. Naval Academy varsity lacrosse team in 1958 who remained a champion for the sport for 50 years; Dr. Charles Kemble, a former football player at Baylor who later became a recruiter for

the team under Grant Teaff; Betty Probasco, the 1950 NCAA Women’s Golf Champion who claimed major golf titles in five different decades; James “Buck” McCabe, Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Chick-fil-A, Inc.; Madeline Manning Mims, a four-time Olympian who won gold and set Olympic and World records in the 800 meters in 1968.

Each member of the 2008 Class has had an influential impact on FCA as a Huddle leader, volunteer, or speaker. They join a prestigious list of 59 other inductees into the FCA Hall of Champions, taking their place among the great individuals who have used the FCA platform to make a dramatic impact on lives.

Each inductee will be honored with a plaque bearing a sculpture of their likeness that will remain in the Hall of Champions in FCA’s Home Office in Kansas City. A replica will be presented to the honoree at an appropriate special event sometime this year.

Commenting on the selections, FCA President and CEO Les Steckel said, "All athletes and coaches attempt to put their mark on their sport. These godly men and women FCA is honoring have not only greatly impacted the world of sports but have devoted their lives to Christ and their communities."

2008 FCA HALL OF CHAMPIONS INDUCTEES
Biographical Information

Edward Britton III
Edward Britton graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958 where he was captain of the varsity lacrosse team his senior year. He served in the United States Air Force for 10 years and then left the military to become a stockbroker for 37 years. Prior to his retirement in 2006, he was a Senior Vice President at Citigroup/Smith Barney. As a Christian businessman, Ed understood the impact of influence and was involved with numerous ministries. He loved the platform that FCA provided to young people and was active in the organization as a board member, volunteer, prayer warrior, donor, and mentor. Ed passed away in May of 2008, but he lived life with passion for Jesus Christ, his family, and others. He often said, “Life is God’s gift to us…what we do with it is our gift back to Him.”


Dr. Charles Kemble
Charles played football at Baylor and later became a football recruiter under Head Coach, and Hall of Champion member, Grant Teaff. As a member of the Baylor coaching staff, Kemble played an integral part in one of the greatest program turnarounds in college football. Kemble’s dedication to football comes second only to his passion for the Lord and FCA. This emotion shines through the many roles he has played in the San Antonio area, including chartering the first Huddle at Sam Houston State and the first adult Huddle chapter, the Alamo Chapter, in 1967. He has served FCA as a chapel speaker, golf marathon team member, and past local Board chairman. For 13 years, Charles and his wife spent their wedding anniversary taking coaches and athletes to Black Mountain/Estes Park/Stephen F. Austin National Conferences so they could pursue Christ through FCA.


Betty Probasco
Golf legend, Betty Probasco, has passionately pursued Christ through her sport. In 1950, she won the NCAA Championship and then went on to claim major, state, and regional titles in five different decades. She took home the Women’s Tennessee State Amateur eight times, and the Kentucky State Amateur title four times. Due to her athletic success, Betty’s name can be found in the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame. Perhaps what is most incredible about Betty Probasco is how she has used golf to spread the Gospel. Through her numerous influential golf connections, Betty has been able to recruit top golf talent to participate in the FCA International Pro-Am since 1980. Thanks to her, hundreds of young people have been able to participate in FCA Junior Golf Camps.

James “Buck” McCabe
As the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Chick-fil-A, Inc., Buck’s life is full of responsibilities. To name a few, he is the primary contact for accounting, finance, taxation, employee benefits, and information technology for the entire company. McCabe began his career with Chick-fil-A in 1978 as a corporate accounting manager and has diligently worked his way to the top since then. Prior to Chick-fil-A, McCabe graduated from the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program and eventually became a Certified Public Accountant. After pursuing his education, he elected to serve our country as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Despite a demanding career, Buck has made time for his faith and FCA. He currently teaches an adult Sunday school class and has spent five years as a men’s group leader for Bible Study Fellowship International. McCabe is a former Chairman of the Board for FCA’s National Board of Trustees, and currently serves on the National Advisory Board. He is also a local FCA advocate in the Atlanta area where he currently resides.

Madeline Manning Mims
Declared “an Olympic Legend” at the Sydney Summer Games, Madeline Manning Mims has certainly left her mark on track and field. The four-time Olympian set Olympic and World records on her way to gold in the 800m event at the games in Mexico City (1968), and helped her 4 X 400m relay team take home silver in 1972. She was ranked number one by Track and Field News for three straight years (1967-1969) and captained the United State Olympic track team during three different summer games. Throughout her life, however, Mims has run for much more than gold. Beginning in the 1980s, she began speaking at FCA boys’ camps and is credited for providing the initiative needed to begin FCA girls’ conferences. She has turned her Olympic success into a personal ministry, serving as an U.S. Olympic Committee chaplain for five Olympic Games.