For the record, the International Sports Academy Ambassadors — ISA for short — came out on top, but everyone was a winner for the experience.

Here’s the back story.

The ISA is the brainchild of Rick Rohlin of Russell, who began pastoring at Praise Fellowship in 1993. Ironically, it was the same year that he got his first coaching job, taking over the helm of the Eisenhower girls program.

“It was then that I realized I had a passion for both,” Rohlin said. “I have continued to look for ways to combine my love of people, my love for the nations and my love for sports. The International Sports Academy brings it all together for me.”

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger International Sports Academy basketball coach Rick Rohlin offers instruction to his team during a game against Tidioute Charter School.

Rohlin has traveled all over the world doing missions work while in his role at Praise Fellowship, but as he went into developing countries he saw a need and began to invest more and more of his time and energy.

“I began to see opportunities and need and began to think how I could help,” he said. “After many trips to Africa it just became apparent that the time needed for ISA and the opportunities that opened up for it, I just couldn’t do both well. Praise Fellowship has come alongside of me and ISA and has allowed me to follow my heart. Therefore, I have transitioned out of Praise Fellowship and will be directing the International Sports Academy full-time.”

The opportunities are coming at Rohlin at a rapid pace.

“We are getting invitations from other nations that are beyond our imagination,” he said. “We are talking thousands of churches in multiple nations that want to partner with us.”

To Rohlin, the parallels are simple.

“Coaching is mentoring,” he said. “Every good coach uses the platform to connect players and families to build communities.”

This year has been difficult for youngsters and communities, who didn’t have sports to bring them together. It was that very thing that led Rohlin to come up with the idea to have the ISA sponsor a club team.

“I knew that these home-school kids did not have any opportunities to play, so I reached out to the New Penn League to see if they would be interested in allowing another team in this season and they were extremely gracious and extended these boys an invitation to play. It really was in the best interests of the kids that led to allowing them in this season.”

Developing nations are just now beginning to see the positive impact that sports can have on youth growing up. It is the goal of ISA to come alongside these at-risk youth with organized sports and quality coaches and adults to steer them toward having productive lives.

“We aren’t coming in and telling everyone to do it our way,” Rohlin said. “We want to come alongside churches that are already doing this on a smaller scale. We are using churches because schools, as a whole, may not be equipped. Most classrooms have over 50 kids in a class with little or no materials. Teachers are underfunded and undermanned. We just want to help.”

The ISA is way more than sports, though. It’s excited for the future and is currently working in Kenya, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal and India

When asked why he set up headquarters here in Warren and not a location closer to a major airport, Rohlin said: “We chose to base this ministry out of Warren, we love this region and truly want this area to be blessed. How cool is it that thousands of young people world-wide are going to be impacted through little old Warren, Pennsylvania.”

Rohlin is being assisted by another Warren native, Sidique Fofana.

“Sidique has connections all over the world,” Rohlin said. “He speaks multiple languages and his personality continues to open doors for us.”

Anyone interested in learning more about ISA or how to become involved, visit their www.ISAsports.org or call or text 814 688-4478. Rohlin’s email address is rick@ISAsports.org.