When volunteer archery coach Adam Ward steps onto the archery range at St. Francis Xavier (SFX) Catholic School in Petoskey, he sees more than targets—he sees hearts ready to be formed by God’s love. A proud SFX alumnus and lifelong Catholic, Adam brings his devotion to every practice, weaving prayer and encouragement into the rhythm of training.
“Coaching is about showing God’s love through action,” he says. “Every interaction is a chance to show Christ’s presence.”
For Adam, archery mirrors spiritual life. “The bow and arrow appear in Scripture as symbols of strength and divine protection,” he explains. “On the range, I try to help students understand that staying focused, being patient and trusting God works in life just as it does in archery.”
Adam partners with Jeff Sulitis, a SFX middle school teacher, to provide an archery class for the students. Students are growing from their coaching. Seventh grader Liam Murphy shares, “Archery is such a fun way to build leadership and responsibility. I look forward to it every week.”
Izzy Robinson, also a seventh grader, adds: “Learning new skills is great for growing up. I am grateful we get to do archery in our school.”
Returning to His Roots
Raised in Petoskey, Adam’s love for archery began with his father and grandfather. “Some of my earliest memories are learning to respect creation and God’s gifts while bowhunting with my dad,” recalls Adam.
As an Eagle Scout, he learned discipline and perseverance—virtues that now shape his coaching. After college, archery became his spiritual anchor. “Archery taught me to slow down and listen,” he reflects. “It is like prayer. You have to be present, centered and patient.”
Certified as a USA Archery Level 3 Coach, Adam returned to SFX in 2021 when his wife accepted a teaching position in Petoskey. “God opened the door for us to give back to the community that formed our faith,” he says.
Forming Souls Through Steady Hands
Today, Adam’s mission goes beyond teaching technique. “No matter your size or experience,” Adam says, “you can succeed if you follow the process. That’s how faith works—you show up, keep trying and trust God.”
Adam is now preparing for Centershot Ministries certification, blending Christ’s teachings with archery. His goal? “To help students find peace, focus and purpose in the rhythm of shooting arrows,” he explains. “If they learn to breathe and trust, they’re already learning to walk with Christ.”
Every arrow, Adam believes, is an opportunity to practice patience and trust—a lesson that lasts far beyond the range.
