Before SOI

The following stories have been condensed from Russ Carr’s self-published “The History of Sports Outreach Institute.”

Prior to the official launching of SOI, the ministry began under the flag of a different organization. Russ Carr resigned his position at Westmont College in 1983 and was in the process of establishing a sports outreach organization when he was contacted by a good friend, Chris Appel. Appel was president of Adventure in Education (AIE), an organization Chris had established some years earlier. Russ was serving as one of AIE's board members. Unfortunately during this time Chris was going through a tough situation and strongly suggested that Russ take on the leadership of AIE and utilize an established non-profit organization and the subsequent benefits. In addition to the tax benefits, the process of establishing a 501C (non-profit) organization with the US government can be very costly.

After praying about the matter, Russ accepted the offer and was named Executive Director of Adventure in Education. Dr. Rolland Jacks and Dr. Robert Bryant were asked to join the existing board of directors of AIE in order to assist with the new direction that Russ would take the organization.

The initial ministry efforts targeted Latin America with several trips taken under a joint AIE/SOI banner. By the late 1980s ministry focused on Uganda as the result of the open doors presented after the 1988 Liberty team trip (as described in the February 2023 SOI Newsletter). Sports Outreach Institute was incorporated as its own non-profit in December 1988.