Des Moines Register
05-31-07
Blythe, Meyer: A chaplain useful
By ANDREW LOGUE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Cedar Rapids, Ia. - Iowa State football players Todd Blythe and Bret Meyer said Wednesday night that a chaplain can be a valuable resource for players.
Blythe, an all-Big 12 Conference receiver, and Meyer, the starting quarterback, participated in a Cyclone gathering here. It was the first public appearance for the players and new coach Gene Chizik since Iowa State president Gregory Geoffroy asked the school's athletics council to look into a proposal in which private money would be used to make a chaplain available to Cyclone players.
"It's a position that we've kind of had in the past," Blythe said, referring to former coach Dan McCarney and his staff. "They're just there for spiritual guidance if we want it. More than anything, it's just someone else that we can talk to about anything. At least that's how it's been in the past, and I assume that's how it will be in the future."
Last week, faculty members sent a petition to Geoffroy that included more than 100 signatures. Faculty members expressed concerns that bringing in a chaplain would violate separation of church and state.
Meyer said he's frustrated by the debate.
"I don't have a lot of patience for it," he said. "Somebody's trying to stick their head in our business, and we're trying to mind our own business and trying to win football games."
Blythe said the benefits of having a chaplain transcend religious issues.
"It's just someone who knows how to listen, knows how to give advice," he said. "Because there's a lot of things we deal with on an everyday basis, especially during the season. It helps to have somebody else who can listen to us."
Chizik and athletic director Jamie Pollard deflected questions about the matter.
"I'm just not going to comment on the whole situation," Chizik said. "It lies with the athletic council, and I feel really good that they're going to do what's best for the school."