So you thought seminary life was all Aristotle, Aquinas and stiff Roman collars? Well, ask the members of the Sacred Heart Lions soccer and basketball teams. They'll tell you it's also about rebounds, goalies and well-worn Adidas' too, and the blood, sweat and tears of athletic competition.

Second-year philosophy student Rodi Mikhail is co-captain of the fifteen-member Lions soccer squad, which also includes Fr. Piotr Andryszcak, visiting professor of philosophy. For Rodi, playing soccer "is a great way to take time off from studies, to get some recreation and strengthen our bodies." It is also a way to create a closer sense of fellowship among seminarian teammates. "We get to know some of the new guys better, and also get to know some of the players from the other seminary and college teams we play, too," he says.

The soccer Lions practice one evening per week. Through December, they've played four games against teams representing St. Mary College in Orchard Lake, Ave Maria College and Ave Maria Law School in Ypsilanti, and Freedom House in Pontiac. The Lions have won two games and lost two, and look to improve their record next term during an indoor tournament being planned by captain and second-year philosophy student Louis Santellano. It will be played in the Sacred Heart gymnasium against teams from Catholic institutions such as Madonna University and the University of Detroit Mercy.

Many of the soccer teammates play on the Sacred Heart Lions basketball team, as well. The basketball Lions have a 3-1 record through December, with seven single games scheduled through March, along with a late-January tournament at the Josephinum Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.

"It is very important to exercise our bodies as well as our minds," says John David Kuhar, shooting guard and second-year philosophy seminarian. "Whenever I am asked what I do at the seminary, I always mention the basketball team. Many people are unaware that we do more than just pray and study. We have a competitive team with a tremendous amount of heart, along with some real talented athletes."

The Lions basketball squad practices twice per week, between 9:30-10:30 pm, after evening classes have concluded. "Sometimes it's hard to practice that late at night," says John David, "but the exercise and camaraderie are well worth the extra effort."

The Lions' most recent competitor has been St. Peter Seminary, London, Ontario. The competition was "surprisingly tough," John David says, with some hard fouls and "flying bodies all over the court." Afterward, though, both teams got together for pop, beer and pretzels, and some friendly talk about, not surprisingly, sports and religion. Many games are played against impromptu teams, such as the seminary kitchen staff ("I hear they are good ballplayers") and against former seminarians and their friends.

The Lions of both sports invite alumni, staff, family members of the players, and supporters of the seminary to come out to their remaining home games (soccer on the all-purpose field, basketball in the seminary gymnasium), and root them on to victory.