On Tuesday, many of the NIU football players will head to the second floor of the Holmes Student Center. P Wearing their Sunday best, they will file into the Lincoln Room to prepare for the game against Toledo. P It’s a small classroom, only 26 x 31 feet in size. The fluorescent lights above cast a yellow haze on the barren walls and rows of white, plastic chairs that await them. It is there, shoulder to shoulder with their teammates, that they will pray. Led by a religious member from one of many denominations, the prayer services offer a time for the players to prepare for both the game and life.

“It’s a time to reflect,” said NIU head coach Joe Novak, who is always in attendance. “The services are voluntary, but it gives those who go an opportunity to deepen their faith and realize that football is just a small part of life.”

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A religious leader sits in the back of the room waiting for running backs coach DeAndre Smith to introduce him.

Sometimes Smith calls Pastor Michael Massey’s name. The pastor of the Glad Tidings Assembly of God calmly strolls forward and lays the Bible down on the small table at the front of the room. With that, the service has begun.

A prayer kicks off the service, followed by a sermon. With Pastor Massey’s, there’s always a little twist.

“I always try to relate everything to the game,” said Massey, who played football in high school. “I love watching football, so I get excited doing these services and I think it keeps them into it even more by bringing in football terms.”

Massey will relate the whole team as the whole body of Christ,or compare the end zone to heaven.

“Anything to help relate better to the players,” Massey said.

But the services don’t always end on the second floor of the student center. When NIU hits the road for the game, the prayer services go with them.

“I went along with the team to Alabama last year and Maryland this year,” Massey said. “Or sometimes we make a video that they can play for the team. It’s kind of like home cooking for the players.”

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A final prayer is said, and the service is over. The leader heads towards the exit where he waits for the players and coaches.

Then one by one he shakes their hands and wishes them good luck as they head out towards their pre-game meal only a floor below them in the Pheasant Room.

And after everyone has left, Massey utters one last prayer for victory before the fluorescent lights flicker off.