One of the most storied programs in lower-level college football is celebrating the baptisms of more than 30 of its players. Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tenn., a program with NAIA national championships and NCAA Division II championship game appearances, saw 31 members of its football team baptized this week in the waters of Mossy Creek, a historic landmark on campus.

The tradition of baptizing players in the creek dates back multiple years, but this year’s group of 31 was the largest yet, the university said in a release.

The players were baptized in the creek following the Aug. 21 practice.

We raise a BIG hallelujah because 31 student-athletes were baptized in Mossy Creek today! ????

“I told the guys today that, obviously, we want to win a lot of games, and we want to win championships, but we won the ultimate championship today,” first-year head coach Ashley Ingram said. Prior to taking the job at Carson-Newman, Ingram was an assistant at Navy for 16 years.

“To see 31 guys give their life to Christ this morning and to publicly profess that is really special,” Ingram added.

Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

“Praise Jesus,” the athletic program said on X (formerly Twitter).

The Eagles football program won five NAIA national championships before transitioning to NCAA Division II. It was the championship game runner-up in 1996, 1998, and 1999 and reached the Division II semifinals in 2009.

When Ingram accepted the position, he stated that his objective was not solely to recruit individuals of faith.

“I said if we could bring kids here that don’t know Christ, it could have eternal ramifications,” he said. “Seeing that today was obviously very pleasing.”

Ingram was hired as the program’s 20th coach last December after 16 seasons at Navy, where he served as offensive line coach, offensive coordinator, and assistant head coach. Navy played in bowls 10 times during his tenure and beat Army 10 times, too. Now, he’s trying to bring more championships to Carson-Newman.

“When you look for a new head coach, you desire someone who aligns with the heart, head, and history of the program,” Carson-Newman President Charles A. Fowler said last December. “Coach Ingram does that. He’s experienced and successful in running the option. He is a man of deep and expressed faith in Jesus. He has the skill and discipline to build a winning program. While he will bring fresh leadership to our storied program that builds on our legacy of excellence, he is going to lead this program into an exciting future marked by wins on the field, a Gospel impact on the lives of young men, and a faithfulness to the mission of Carson-Newman University.”

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