On Saturday, March 25 at the Ocean Place Conference Center in Long Branch, NJ, Delbarton senior Kevin Hager ’23 received state recognition as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Huddle Leader. He received the William Ward Award for faith, service and generosity.

Known as one of the pioneers of FCA in NJ, William Ward proudly served as a United States Marine and, later, became a successful business executive who continued to lead a life of faith, service and generosity. The award is presented to an ambitious student-athlete who exemplifies those same values each year. Kevin accepted the award accompanied by his parents Frank and Kathleen Hager P'08,'16,'23.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes works to improve student athletes’ relationships with their faith by examining it through the lens of their sports. The FCA Campus Ministry has touched the lives of over 500,000 students, athletes and coaches on 14,521 certified campuses across America. For over two decades, Delbarton has sponsored a FCA group, or 'Huddle', led by Assistant Headmaster Chuck Ruebling '79. The Delbarton Huddle meets to discuss scripture and how the text can be understood and interpreted throughout the athletic experience.

In recognition of his commitment to the Delbarton FCA Huddle and FCA New Jersey, Ruebling was awarded the Huddle Coach of the Year for his 20+ years of service to the Delbarton FCA and FCA New Jersey. Ruebling also served as Delbarton's lacrosse head coach for 31 years. His dynamic career grew from local to state and even national renown with a career record of over 500 wins. Ruebling has coached forty-five US Lacrosse Scholastic All-Americans and eleven US Lacrosse Academic All-Americans. During his time as Delbarton’s head coach, Ruebling guided the Green Wave to a state-record six NJ Tournament of Champions Championships and fifteen NJ State Championships, plus a county-record sixteen Morris County Championships and fifteen Conference Championships. Pictured below is Reubling alongside Director of Mission and Ministry Matthew White.

The Delbarton community salutes both Kevin Hager and Chuck Ruebling for this special FCA recognition!