What happens when the sport you've built your life around is no longer what God is calling you to pursue?

In this episode of Beyond the Huddle, Zach Rose sits down with Ryan "Lodge" Lageness, FCA staff member and chaplain for the UCA football team, to discuss his remarkable journey from a troubled childhood to walking on at UCA, surrendering football to follow Christ, and ultimately serving collegiate athletes through ministry.

Ryan shares how faithful mentors changed the trajectory of his life, why leaving football was one of the hardest decisions he's ever made, and what it looks like to disciple over 100 student-athletes while helping them discover that football is more than a game—it's a platform to glorify God.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone seeking to follow God's calling, this conversation is full of encouragement, wisdom, and reminders that God can redeem every part of our story.

In this episode:
Ryan's journey from Miami to Arkansas
Finding Christ through the game of football
The mentors who changed his life
Walking away from college football to follow God's call
Serving as UCA Football Chaplain
Using sports as a platform for the Gospel
Faith, leadership, and discipleship in college athletics

🎙️ Beyond the Huddle is the Central Arkansas FCA podcast where faith meets competition. Each episode features conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders who are making an eternal impact through sports.

What happens when the sport you've built your life around is no longer what God is calling you to pursue?
In this episode of Beyond the Huddle, Zach Rose sits down with Ryan "Lodge" Lageness, FCA staff member and chaplain for the UCA football team, to discuss his remarkable journey from a troubled childhood to walking on at UCA, surrendering football to follow Christ, and ultimately serving collegiate athletes through ministry.
Ryan shares how faithful mentors changed the trajectory of his life, why leaving football was one of the hardest decisions he's ever made, and what it looks like to disciple over 100 student-athletes while helping them discover that football is more than a game&mdash;it's a platform to glorify God.
Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone seeking to follow God's calling, this conversation is full of encouragement, wisdom, and reminders that God can redeem every part of our story.
In this episode:
<ul data-start="1099" data-end="1415">
<li data-section-id="5fl1aq" data-start="1099" data-end="1138">Ryan's journey from Miami to Arkansas</li>
<li data-section-id="uw70q6" data-start="1139" data-end="1184">Finding Christ through the game of football</li>
<li data-section-id="11jgah7" data-start="1185" data-end="1219">The mentors who changed his life</li>
<li data-section-id="pifq17" data-start="1220" data-end="1277">Walking away from college football to follow God's call</li>
<li data-section-id="tbooe6" data-start="1278" data-end="1312">Serving as UCA Football Chaplain</li>
<li data-section-id="tq50vv" data-start="1313" data-end="1356">Using sports as a platform for the Gospel</li>
<li data-section-id="10491de" data-start="1357" data-end="1415">Faith, leadership, and discipleship in college athletics</li>
</ul>
🎙️ Beyond the Huddle is the Central Arkansas FCA podcast where faith meets competition. Each episode features conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders who are making an eternal impact through sports.