Seminarians serve as sports chaplains to help student-athletes — both on and off the field — at Mount St. Mary’s University.

“It’s having a big brother there for them, someone they can talk to,” said Denise Wescott, coach of the women’s lacrosse team. “He doesn’t decide their grades or how much playing time they get. He’s just a safe person they can talk to confidentially.”

Athletes use chaplains’ cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses to chat about homework, professors, struggles in the dorms and frustrations on the team. Plus, the priests-in-training always offer extra prayers for any student studying for an exam.

“They are just a great resource and offer a different viewpoint on life,” said Jane Karger, a senior and co-captain of her lacrosse team.

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President Thomas H. Powell believes the Mount is the nation’s only school to have seminarians as chaplains for each of its Division I sports teams.

“It really adds another dimension to intercollegiate athletics,” he said.

Players swear less on the field when they know a chaplain’s around. “When [taking the Lord’s name in vain] does slip, some of the chaplains will be sarcastic and ask, ‘Where? Did you see him?’ ” said Tom Gravante, the men’s lacrosse coach.

Last year, the parents of one lacrosse player couldn’t attend senior night because they live in Florida, so she asked the team’s chaplain, Deacon Bill Sylvia, to escort her to midfield.

Before games, Sylvia leads the team in a Hail Mary and then chants: “Our Lady of the Mount! Pray for us! Our Lady of Victory! Pray for us!”

“It’s great to minister to young adults,” he said. “It will help me later when I have that experience in the parish.”

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com