When Ben Murphy lost a schoolyard fight at age 14 — after three punches — it marked a turning point in his life. Today, Murphy, 19, from Toronto, Canada, is a student at Ohio Valley University in Vienna, W.Va., and is one of seven students there forming a boxing team, despite the challenges.

Alan Moore, Faulkner’s 61-year-old placekicker and the oldest-ever college football player, knocked through the Eagles’ first extra point of the season Saturday. See an interview with him and a video of the kick.

Texas church member Anthony Vasquez got a “W’ this week in his major-league debut with the Seattle Mariners. The 24-year-old left-handed pitcher and his parents, Rudy and Lisa, are members of the Northside Church of Christ in San Antonio.

The sports season opens Saturday for Abilene Christian University. While the Wildcats’ first football game still is three weeks away, ACU fans will get a jump on cheering for their purple and white when the No. 39 car of Randy Hill Racing competes Saturday in the Zippo 200, this week’s Nationwide Series race, at Watkins Glen, N.Y.

The Ford Mustang on the track will be painted bright purple with ACU’s logo in white on the hood. It’ll mix with cars sponsored by Ragu, Dollar General, Fastenal, Great Clips and 3M.

Major League Baseball’s July 31 non-waiver trading deadline sent two players with Church of Christ ties to contending teams. Houston Astros center fielder Michael Bourn, a member of the Fifth Ward Church of Christ in Houston, was traded to the Atlanta Braves. Meanwhile, Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Brad Ziegler, a member of the East Grand Church of Christ in Springfield, Mo., was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Colt McCoy came home last week. The former Jim Ned and University of Texas standout and current Cleveland Browns starting quarterback was at Abilene Christian University’s Wally Bullington Practice Facility for the first day of his two-day youth football camp.

Two weeks ago, the Colorado Rockies called up one of the team’s more highly touted prospects: Rex Brothers. Brothers is a faithful Church of Christ member and former Lipscomb University star.

For the first time, a woman has earned a playing card on a men’s professional golf tour, The Associated Press reports. That woman: Isabelle Beisiegel, a member of the Broken Arrow Church of Christ in Oklahoma. In a blog post, Beisiegel recounts her heartwrenching journey and gives God the credit for her accolades.

Boston Bruins goalkeeper Tim Thomas is a star hockey player. He’s also a faithful Christian, says Tony Thompson, preaching minister for the Burlington Church of Christ in Massachusetts. “Obviously, much more important than his athletic prowess is the fact that Tim loves the Lord and the church and is devoted to his family,” Thompson said.

Major-league veteran Josh Willingham has a well-deserved reputation as a man of faith and character. That’s why it surprised some fans to read about Willingham blowing up at an umpire the other night in Kansas City. Perhaps even Willingham himself was surprised at his emotional reaction in the heat of a close ballgame.