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Jared Day plays basketball while witnessing for Christ
Day Smoky Mountain senior Jared Day brings the ball down court last month while playing for SCORE International in the Dominican Republic. The primary purpose of the trip was to witness for Christ. Several Smoky Mountain athletes spent parts of the summer improving their skills for the upcoming sports seasons.

Others went on mission trips to spread the word about Christ and help others.

For one Mustang, those activities were combined as senior Jared Day went to the Dominican Republic for a week last month to play basketball and minister as part of SCORE International.

"That was my first time overseas which was really neat," Day said. "It was a life experience."

The team was comprised of players from North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee. They played a university team, a 20-and-under junior national team and several club teams.

Crowds ranged from 400-2,500 per game and included a number of adults. In some cases, fans were hanging out windows.

At halftime, various players would give their testimony with the help of a translator. Day testified on two occasions.

"It was amazing how they took in everything we said," Day stated. "We'd get off the bus and little kids would come running up to us. They were so happy with everything they had and were thankful for it."

He said accommodations weren't bad as the players stayed in a building owned by SCORE.

"I'd love to go back next year if possible," Day said. "I advise anybody ever presented with the opportunity to take advantage of it" He said SCORE also fields teams in baseball, wrestling and soccer.

As for basketball, the team went 4-4. Some of Day's teammates will be playing for Liberty and Chattanooga.

"I want to thank all the people who made it possible for me to go through donations," Day said. "It's a real big honor to be selected to play basketball, but it's a bigger honor to teach people about Christ while I'm doing that."

He is the son of Jerry and Diane Day of Sylva and is a member of the school's football, basketball and baseball teams.

Back to Sports: 08/15/02.