About Tom Roy
Tom Roy is the President and Founder of UPI. After a very brief time in the S.F. Giants organization, Tom went on to a career in radio, taking his first job in West Virginia. Shortly after that he felt the call of God to pursue a college degree and enrolled at Grace College in Winona Lake, IN. Upon completion of that degree he took a head baseball coaching job at a local high school for 3 years. He continued in that profession, coaching also at the college level for 9 years.
In 1979 God put UPI on Tom and Carins hearts. In 1980 the ministry became a reality. Tom ministered to players thru chapels, in camps and clinics for 28 years. He has had the honor to serve Christ through UPI in many venues, including speaking and conducting clinics in over 60 countries.
Tom and Carin reside in Winona Lake, Indiana and have two daughters, Amy and Lindsay, and 6 grandchildren (Hannah, Luke, Faith, Tommy, Sam and Lainey).
In January of 2008 he assumed the role of President/Founder and now finds himself working with the Advancement of the ministry as well as staying in contact with “UPI alumni” and caring for ballplayers through counseling.
His latest book is Released.
You can visit Tom Roy’s website at www.tomroy.org.
The Interview
Could you please tell us a little about your book?
RELEASED tells the remarkable story of the birth, growth, and development of a unique Christian outreach to the world of professional baseball-Unlimited Potential, Inc. Beginning with a phone call from Hank Aaron during a miserable Indiana blizzard, the fledgling work has grown to a world-wide ministry that has impacted thousands through baseball clinics and instruction. Through dozens of anecdotes, the personal stories of changed lives light up the pages of this book. I have had the privilege of working with professional athletes for over 30 years including being the chaplain of the Chicago White Sox.
What cause are you most passionate about and why?
I love telling the world of baseball about the love of Jesus. Too often the players saw Jesus as religious activity. They did not understand grace and forgiveness in a biblical sense. That we are built for relationship and that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it.
What are you currently working on?
I have just finished a manuscript with Jerry Price on the topic of betrayal. This is not a baseball book, but rather takes the premise that we all have been betrayed or are betrayers.
What are some of your long term goals?
My goals would include continued opportunity to work in and through the game of baseball to share the love of Christ. I am 61years old and have been blessed with health and a passion. Would hope to have more opportunities to speak to young people about life and how God provides.
What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?
As the founder of UPI, I was there from the beginning and can tell the story of UPI and its mission to the baseball world. God has been so gracious. Very few have had a venue and the attention of the professional athlete. Add to that 30 years of taking these men and their wives to over 60 countries to share baseball and their faith.
You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?
Most definitely I would bring the bible. In its pages are the answers we all are seeking for. Add to that the character of God that I would want to have as I considered all the lonely days. I would want to capture all my thoughts and have them match up with the mind of Christ.
Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?
Life has its ways of humbling and transforming you. Each day I learn how to live in a Christ like manner. Passing on the baton of leadership of UPI has taught me how better to make kings rather than try to be one. Seeing my grand kids grow and living with my wife of 40 plus years in a Godly loving way have been other areas of better understanding.
About Released
RELEASED tells the remarkable story of the birth, growth, and development of a unique Christian outreach to the world of professional baseball-Unlimited Potential Inc. Beginning with a phone call from Hank Aaron during a miserable Indiana blizzard, the fledgling start up work has grown to a world-wide ministry that has impacted thousands with the gospel message through baseball clinics and instruction. Of special interest are the chapters on the culture of professional baseball and the life of a pro baseball player’s wife, with all its unique challenges and issues.
Through dozens of anecdotes, the personal stories of changed lives light up the pages of this book. Based on lessons learned on the baseball field and in life, readers will want to refer again and again to the leadership principles taught and lived out through UPI. Like a pitch delivered from the game’s finest, UPI’s message has be ‘released’ to every part of the globe. An in the end, the reader must “make the call”.
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