April 7,  2025

Serve > Train > Compete Feature I Presented by Kessinger Lee

WILMORE, Ky.— Asbury Athletics is committed to providing student-athletes an opportunity to serve, train, and compete through college athletics for the glory of God. The Kessinger Lee sponsored Serve > Train > Compete Feature aims to highlight Asbury student-athletes pursuing this mission. 

Kessinger Lee presents Brendan Funke as a Serve > Train > Compete featured student-athlete.

Brendan Funke | Media Communications | Men's Track & Field | Jr. | East Amherst, NY.

Brendan is a junior on the men's track & field team at Asbury, majoring in media communications. He embodies the vision of Asbury University Athletics to use the platform of college athletics to share the light of Christ and compete for His glory. 

Brendan has exemplified SERVE  by serving his teammates on and off the track.

He represents TRAIN  by his consistent hard-work on the track and commitment to pushing his teammates to be the best they can be.

Brendan reflects COMPETE with his competitiveness on the track in competition.

View Brendan's answers to questions we asked him below!

• What does serving, training, and competing for the glory of God mean to you?

As this relates to my faith and my reverence for Jesus Christ, I take that same attitude into my training and competitions. I have a serious attitude toward those situations because just as I love Christ, I love my sport as well and want to compete at the best of my ability for the glory of Christ.

• Who are some of the coaches, faculty and staff that have impacted you at AU?

The first person that comes to mind is our Athletic Director, Mark Whitworth. Few faculty members have gone out of their way to get to know me and to have a conversation with me like Mr. Whitworth. He also bought me tacos once, which was pretty cool.

View Brendan's answers to questions we asked him below!

• How have you grown spiritually during your time at Asbury?

The community of students around me have given me all sorts of new knowledge and lenses to look at Jesus, scripture, and why I believe what I believe.

• What advice would you give to new student-athletes coming to Asbury?

Work harder and check your ego at the door. People might have more raw talent, but nobody should be working harder than you, and you don't want to look back on your athletic career what all sorts of "what ifs" or "I should have done this." You should always work hard to not have these regrets. Also, don't think of yourself as all high and mighty, check your ego at the door, and help someone else get better.