Findlay (Ohio) AD's leap of faith brings success

For Steven Rackley, career moves have been a matter of fervent prayer. And

though it was difficult for the family to leave Utah, the spiritual blessings

and dividends have been enormous.

"I can't express what a wonderful opportunity it has been for me and my

family," said Rackley, who since 1999 has been the athletic director at Findlay

University in Ohio. Since his arrival, the Findlay men's basketball team has

compiled the best overall record in Division II and recently won the 2009 NCAA

Division II national championship.The school also has four equestrian national

championships, a women's volleyball team that has been to nationals four times

and a wrestling team that consistently finishes in the top 10.

But success required a leap of faith, which Rackley, a Mormon, and his family took in

1996. He left the comforts of his home in Taylorsville and his job at Weber

State University to become the associate athletic director at Marshall

University in West Virginia. "That was about the last state I wanted to go to," Rackley said. "But I

wanted the experience."

"I was offered the job on the spot at Marshall. My wife (Amy) and I spent an

entire night praying about it and we knew that is where we were supposed to

be."

Rackley spent three years at Marshall before going to Findlay, a move that

was also preceded by fervent prayer.

Since moving back East, Rackley has had several opportunities to serve in The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been a counselor in the

bishopric in both West Virginia and Findlay, and is currently the executive

secretary in his ward. For the past year, he has also been an early-morning

seminary teacher.