From the Gridiron to God: The Nun Coaching Football and Forming Saints (Morning Air)

Sister Lisa Maurer of Saint Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota, has found a powerful way to merge faith and football. A lifelong sports lover and assistant coach for the College of Saint Scholastica’s football team, she uses the game to teach spiritual truths. “I wanted a way to bring football together with our values — to talk about football, talk about Jesus, and talk about being a good person,” she explains. Growing up in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, with her father as a football coach, Sister Lisa learned early lessons about teamwork and discipline. When she later entered religious life, she feared her passion for sports might end — but God had other plans. On the sidelines today, her joy and spiritual steadiness inspire both players and coaches. Her “spiritual playbook” is built on four virtues: hospitality, stewardship, respect, and justice — values she believes are just as essential in life as on the field. Head Coach Matt Bremmer says she reminds the team that football is “a gift that teaches us lessons about the kind of people we’re called to become.” For Sister Lisa, the ultimate victory isn’t on the scoreboard but in forming men of faith, discipline, and humility — true champions in God’s eyes. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.