Graham West g88

Graham West's accomplishments in soccer evoke a steady stream of superlatives, but his record of ministry and outreach to others is even more impressive than his fine career as a professional soccer player and coach.

Graham, a native of Toronto, Canada, came to Fort Wayne Bible College (FWBC) as a Christian focused on soccer; and he played the game better than anyone before or since for the Falcons. His honors speak for themselves.

Falcon jersey #9, one of three jerseys retired on September 23, 1989, when the Gerig Activities Center opened, the only one from men's soccer.

By the time he graduated from FWBC in 1988 with a degree in Christian Counseling and Bible, Graham was a deeply committed disciple of Jesus Christ who happened to play soccer. As a student, Graham went on an international missions tour playing soccer through Central America. It was while he was on that trip that he saw how his skills could be used for God's glory.

Graham coached the Falcons soccer team for two years (1986-1988), and played for the Fort Wayne Flames of the American Indoor Soccer Association in 1986-1987. He also coached collegiate women's soccer in California and men's soccer in North Carolina.

FWBC Offensive Player of the Year 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985
FWBC Most Valuable Player (MVP) 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985
FWBC career scoring record (120 goals)
FWBC career assist record (45 assists)
NCCAA Division I All-Region 1983
NCCAA Division II, District 3 Champions 1984, 1985
NCCAA Division II All-Region 1984, 1985
NCCAA Division I All-American, 2^nd team 1983
NCCAA Division II All-American, 1^st team 1984, 1985
NCCAA Division II National Tournament 4^th place finish 1984, 1985
NCCAA Division II National Championship All-Tournament 1984, 1985

In 1992, Graham and his wife, Lori (Fazio, FWBC 1984-1986), joined Missionary Athletes International, a sports ministry organization that uses soccer as a platform to share the gospel around the world. Graham played five years with MAI's professional team, the Charlotte Eagles in the United Soccer Leagues, while simultaneously helping with their International Tours, inner city outreach, school programs, soccer clinics, coaches training, and camp ministry.

Graham's involvement with MAI has included many roles: Tour Director, Camp Director, General Manager, Assistant Coach, and International Director for Global Initiatives. In this latter position, Graham has helped develop and nurture ministry partnerships internationally. One such partnership was located in Thailand where Graham, Lori and their two children resided for three years and helped establish a national sports ministry office. Graham currently serves as MAI's Director of International Training. The focus of this role is to train, equip and empower leaders and coaches through the local church to use sports as a bridge into their respective communities, helping to plant and strengthen churches internationally. Graham and Lori are based in North Carolina.