The Collegian

Issue date: 9/10/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: William Clayton Father Duane Beauchamp coaches the Charger offense in his new position as the team's wide receiver coach.

Father Duane Beauchamp, the former chaplain at Hillsdale College, is now a coach in the Charger football program.

Often assisting the team, Beauchamp has offered Hillsdale football players mentoring and chapel services before games during his 21 years on campus. Taking on a new role, he is currently serving as wide receivers' coach for the Charger football team. He started at practices in February and has 12 receivers under his wing.

"I have been part of the athletics program for several years through academic mentoring," Beauchamp said. "We saw an opportunity for me to have a different kind of relationship with the football team. It is going to be exciting."

Head football coach Keith Otterbein said Beauchamp's coaching position has lacked stability. With so many coaching changes, he said he was looking for someone who could guide his wide receivers with greater longevity.

"The wide receiver coach position is catch as catch can," Otterbein said. "We were looking for some more consistency. Father Beauchamp is passionate and dedicated. He is working hard and really absorbing it."

Offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Barry Fagan said fifth-year senior players usually undertake the part-time coaching position. Adding Beauchamp onto staff, he said, generates greater respect between coach and player.

"In college football you have to have someone watch over the receivers by themselves to be efficient," Fagan said. "Father Beauchamp is going to be as effective off the field for our kids as he is on the field. He is a real asset to our staff."

Junior wide receiver Mike Blanchard said he appreciates having a spiritual leader on the sidelines. His frequent chapel attendances, he added, now feel more personalized given his work with Beauchamp during practices.

"Father Beauchamp is very encouraging," Blanchard said. "It is such a relief knowing if we have a bad day at practice he's there to pick us up and keep our heads straight.He does a really good job hitting home what we should be looking for in life."

Beauchamp said his increased responsibilities are an easy burden. Given how much he appreciates football, he said, he enjoys dissecting the intricacies of receiving.

"I've always thought it would be nice to learn more about the wonderful game of football," Beauchamp said. "Receiving really stretches people. I enjoy watching that."

Beauchamp said as the 2009 football season progresses he hopes he inspires the players. Outside of winning or losing, he said, football contains valuable life lessons.

"We [Hillsdale's coaching staff] believe the gifts students are given are given by God," Beauchamp said. "We try the best we can to help students nourish and learn about those skills so they can give them back to God."

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