b'YESBasketball coach and campus leaders in engineering and mathematics have answered the call as Marianist Educational Associates. By John SchroederERIC BOVAIRDHead Coach, Mens Basketball TeamChaminade UniversityHonolulu One day a couple of years ago, Marianist Father MartinSolma made a surprise visit to Eric Bovairds officeat Chaminade University in Honolulu. We see eachother all the time around campus, sowhen he comes to my office, I know itssomething important, Bovaird said.THIS IS And that something turned out to beFr. Solmas invitation for the coach toEVERYTHINGconsider becoming a Marianist Educa-I BELIEVE IN tional Associate (MEA).Eric answered with an enthusiasticyes, because hed grown to value the relationships hed developed withFr. Solma and with Marianist Brother EdBrink in 11 years at Chaminade. Theyre just awesomehuman beings, Bovaird said. Seeing the way theyconduct their lives, the sacrifices theyve made you just want to be around them, learn from them,spend time with them.Bovaird also realized that he greatly admired all theMEAs he knew on campus. They are great leaders,he said, and I wanted to be a part of that.Being in MEA formation with the 2019 cohort was, Chaminade head basketball coach Eric Bovaird joined the MEAs in the 2019 cohort.in his word, incredible. For starters, he appreciatedthe chance to learn about the history of the brothers, and want it to succeed, he said. As an MEA, you feeland discovered along the way how the Marianist like youre called to be present even more, to act more.Charism resonates with his Catholic spirituality.Part of that commitment spills over into BovairdsIt hit me: Wow, this is everything I believe in,recruiting visits with student athletesnow that hehe said. Its a perfect match for me. has a different vocabulary to describe whats distinc-Today, as an MEA, Bovaird also detects how the tive about Chaminade. Its important being able tocharism strengthens both the university and his role articulate what were aboutthat its more than justas the mens basketball coach.basketball, more than just a quality education, he said.It breathes life into us, to have people on staff and Were offering a chance to learn in the Marianist tra-in the business office who truly believe in the mission dition, an education through formation and service.8 Call 1.800.348.4732'