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Local coach on a mission

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: July 23, 2009

Three years ago, Rob Oppedisano found himself doing what a lot of folks do: He was presented with an opportunity and nearly talked himself out of it.

While at a church service at Grace Bible, the congregation listened to Life Impact for Eternity executive director Eric Murphy talk about a mission to Montenegro. At some point, Murphy talked about needing a coach to teach basketball to those who attend the camp, while also teaching them the virtues of a Christian-led life.

Oppedisano, a local speed and conditioning coach who also has coached college basketball, instantly knew that was a mission of which he should be a part.

"I started thinking about it and said, 'You know what, that needs to be me,'" Oppedisano said.

During an extended period of time, Oppedisano internally debated about the mission. There were times he talked himself out of it and others when the trip made perfect sense.

Friday, Oppedisano will fly to London and then Croatia for his drive to Montenegro, in Southeast Europe, for his third trip to the camp. He'll work with basketball and soccer players ages 16 and younger.

"I don't think there's anything better than being able to serve the Lord through the talents that He's given me," Oppedisano said. "I don't claim to know a lot of things; I've been blessed in the area of athletics and sports and I've tried to use that to the best of my ability.

"I needed a way to be able to do that, and when Eric presented it to me the first time, I thought it was a great idea. I wasn't sure if it was going to work out or not. The more I do the training, the more I'm putting an emphasis of serving the Lord through the talents I have."

The five-day camp will host nearly 80 youngsters.

In addition to teaching basketball and soccer skills, campers are involved in arts and craft projects. There are also English classes, and after dinner a devotional is held to share Christian ideas.

Oppedisano, who coached at Mount Olive College, Pasco-Hernando Community College and Saint Leo University, can't help but remember being challenged on the basketball court during his first trip.

A 17-year-old wanted to play Oppedisano one-on-one. Oppedisano was more about playing a team game, but at the stranger's insistence, he did. Oppedisano told the player if he won, the teen would have to attend the camp.

"We ended up playing and I narrowly got him," Oppedisano said. "By the end of the camp, he was one of the first guys to accept Christ at that camp. I got to be a big part of inviting him to the camp, teaching him skills and just helping him come to know the Lord."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 259-7066.

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