SportsLife Wrestling hosted the Champions Breakfast at the NCAA Men’s Wrestling Championships on Friday morning, March 20, in Cleveland, Ohio. This marked the first time the 32-year event was organized under the leadership of Brandon Slay, Executive Director of Wrestling.

A capacity crowd of 450, including athletes, coaches, parents, and sports ministry leaders, attended the two-hour event, highlighting a spiritual revival in the sport of wrestling.

“We’re in a unique time in men’s freestyle wrestling where most of our coaches and leaders are Christians,” – Brandon Slay

“Also, the young guys that are coming up through high school and college, they’re bold in their faith. They’re willing to talk publicly about what God has done in their life,” Slay explained.

With many like-minded members of the wrestling community present, Chief Sports Officer Carl Perry described the breakfast as “a time for people to be challenged in their faith.”

“It showcases what a Christ-centered, discipleship-driven leader should look like,” he added. “We aim to support these leaders and help them execute ministry in their local areas. Events like this encourage them through presentations and personal interactions, equipping them with resources to use throughout the year.”

According to Slay, the Champions Breakfast highlighted key ministry initiatives.

“The first is the importance of having chaplains,” he noted. “We’re fortunate to have chaplains for the senior world team, U23 world team, and U17 world team, and we’ve been able to send chaplains worldwide with these teams. However, we need to continue expanding opportunities for chaplains to serve all levels of wrestling.

The inaugural Steven J. Cochlan Leadership Award was presented to SportsLife Wrestling Field Leader Jose Campo, chaplain for the USA Olympic team, for his impact on the U.S. Senior World Team.

“Right now, I believe Jose Campo is the most influential person in wrestling,” Slay said. “I feel that God has been preparing him for this moment all his life. He has an incredible testimony and over 40 years of coaching experience. He garners immense respect from young talents like Jax Forrest and Bo Bassett to senior-level athletes like Kyle Dake.”

Perry, involved in the Champions Breakfast for the past 15 years, shared that he had never experienced anything like the moment Campo received the Steven J. Cochlan Leadership Award. This award is named after Perry’s close friend and mentor, who passed away from complications due to ALS last December.

“Our goal is to raise leaders who love deeply, live abundantly, and lead courageously,” Perry said. “Jose embodies all of those values. It was fitting for him to be our first recipient of this new leadership award. He is an amazing man of God, and I’m grateful to serve alongside him.”

The moment was made even more special by the presence of Cochlan’s wife, Susan, and children Cullen, Cassidy, and Stephanie, who assisted in presenting the award.

“It was wonderful for them to see what their dad helped build,” Perry noted. “He was very influential in wrestling ministry and one of the most significant figures in my life. It was powerful to witness this moment with them there.”

After reflecting on his award, Campo humbly deflected praise to God.

“I don’t deserve an honor like this, especially one named after an incredible man who has done so much for wrestling and our sports ministry,” he said.

“I’m trying to be obedient to what God has called me to do and use the gifts He has given me. In my opinion, many others have done more than I have.” – Jose Campo

At the event’s conclusion, Slay shared the gospel through his personal testimony and a teaching on Romans 12:1: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

“We want to remember that some attendees don’t know Jesus,” Slay said. “Their friends and family bring them to the breakfast, knowing the gospel will be shared and hoping something they hear will lead them to salvation and a restored relationship with God.”

Beyond ministry, Slay described the event as an “annual reunion” and a time “to have fellowship and mutually encourage each other.” Perry agreed, adding that the Champions Breakfast acts as “a one-stop shopping center for relational equity.”

Most importantly, both Slay and Perry hope the event will make a lasting impact on attendees.

“Our prayer is that the breakfast will serve as a spiritual marker in someone’s life.” – Carl Perry

“We want them to look back at this event as the moment when God truly spoke to their heart, prompting their next step of faith—whether that’s surrendering to Christ for the first time, reengaging in a Bible study, or deciding to lead a LifeGroup,” Perry said.