“There is no greater work worth doing than leading young people to Jesus Christ,” says Faulkner University alumnus Ben Kissinger, who graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education.
He returned to Faulkner’s campus earlier this year for the Marketplace Faith Friday Forums where he was honored as the Accomplished Alumnus for the Department of Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
Affectionately known as “Coach Kiss” by the students and athletes at Alabama Christian Academy (ACA), Kissinger has made a lasting impact as an educator and coach. Over the course of his career, he has served as an athletic director, head coach, and assistant coach for various sports. Currently, Kissinger teaches middle and high school Bible classes and other secondary electives at ACA, guiding students through life’s challenges while keeping faith at the center of their journey.
“At a Christian university like Faulkner, you know that the people mentoring you are approaching it from a Godly mindset,” Kissinger says. “That continues to become more important as you start realizing who you really want to be and what your core beliefs actually are, not just what you put on a resume or a portfolio.”
Kissinger’s path to Faulkner was not typical. He transferred to the school under less-than-ideal circumstances but made the decision to make the most of his situation. At Faulkner, he joined the social club Epsilon Phi Upsilon, which helped him forge friendships beyond the football team. He also became more involved on campus, built relationships with faculty and staff, and earned a spot on the president’s list for academics.
“I made a decision to choose to make the most of the opportunity God had presented before me,” Kissinger says. “I was blessed to find a private, Christian university where I could thrive.”
Kissinger credits much of his success to the guidance of influential figures both on and off the field. Coaches like Brandon Slay, Jaime Carter, Blake Boren, Charlie Boren, Brent Barker, Chuck Knapp, Nick Coleman, and Corey Phipps, along with professors such as Steve Phillips and Sandy Luster at Faulkner, have shaped his approach to teaching and coaching.
The principles Kissinger upholds in his work are rooted in the lessons he learned from these mentors. He aims to instill in his students and athletes the importance of listening, doing things the right way, embodying character, and working together as a team to achieve success.
“My career speaks for itself as an example of different opportunities that became available to me because of my choice to accept where God had put me and grow,” Kissinger reflects. “Embracing the current situation you’re in isn’t always easy, but when you choose to be where your feet are and make the most out of what you’ve been given, good things come to those who persevere.”
Kissinger continues to serve as a role model for students and athletes alike, using his experiences to help others discover their potential and purpose in both sports and life.
