Every loser has a story. And few teams have lost quite like the Trinity Bible College football team. Located in Ellendale, North Dakota-population 1,559-Trinity produces preachers and missionaries, but with an enrollment of only 310 students, struggles to find athletes. Keeping the Faith tells the remarkable story of the Trinity Bible College Lions, the worst college football team in the country. It tells the story of a team fighting for victory, and, more importantly, dignity.
Here is a compelling story, told through the eyes of a colorful group of characters. Trinity's head coach is Rusty Bentley, a native Texan and former car salesman who says he moved his family to North Dakota because it was God's will. In his first game, Trinity lost by a staggering 105-0, yet Bentley said the record loss was the best thing that ever happened to the school. Assistant coach Eric Slivoskey spent more than a decade traveling throughout the world, but he came to tiny Ellendale seeking answers to his spiritual questions. A former high school star, he struggles to coexist with the scripture-quoting Bentley, whose knowledge of the Bible seems to dwarf his knowledge of football. Trinity's players, who number fewer than thirty, include Lee Odell, an all-conference center from Kansas who arrived in Ellendale four years after he believed his playing days were over. Several Trinity players never even played high school football, but their participation helps keep the program alive. Others were prep standouts who wonder if they'll ever again experience success on the field.
Trinity's players keep taking the field week after week, loss after loss. They keep playing, always believing the next game willbring victory. Few football fans have heard of the Trinity Bible College Lions. After reading author Shawn Fury's riveting account, none will forget their story. Keeping the Faith details the never- ending struggles, the occasional absurdities, and the rare triumphs of the country's worst team. It's about football, faith, and finding small victories amid big defeats.


Every loser has a story. And few teams have lost quite like the Trinity Bible College football team. Located in Ellendale, North Dakota-population 1,559-Trinity produces preachers
and missionaries, but with an enrollment of only 310 students, struggles to find quality athletes. Keeping the Faith tells the remarkable story of the 2004 Trinity Bible College Lions, the worst college team in the country-a team fighting for victory and, more importantly, dignity.
Countless sports books have been written about championship teams and grand traditions. But what about teams on the other side of the scoreboard? How do those players and coaches fight
through ridicule, adversity, and defeat? This account is told through the eyes of a colorful group of characters, including Trinity's head coach, Rusty Bentley, a native Texan and former car salesman who says he moved his family to North Dakota because it was God's will. In his first game, Trinity lost 105-0.
Assistant coach Eric Slivoskey has traveled throughout the world, but he came to Ellendale seeking answers to his spiritual questions. A former high school star, he struggles to coexist with the Scriptures-quoting Bentley, whose knowledge of the Bible seems to dwarf his knowledge of football. Trinity's players, who number fewer than thirty, include Lee Odell, an all-conference center on the offensive line who's surrounded by teammates who didn't even play high school football. Wide receiver Andy Brower is training to be a pastor, but he doesn't
think the Lions should be relying on Jesus to help them on the field. Trinity's players keep taking the field week after week, loss after loss. They keep playing, always believing the nextgame will bring victory. Keeping the Faith is about football, faith, and finding small victories amidst big defeats.