Eric Ely lived out a coach's dream this summer.

The 1982 Northwest Nazarene graduate helped coach and translate for the USA's Athletes in Action team at the first annual FISU Pan-American University Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The team won the gold medal in the championship against host Brazil.

Being who Ely is, however, that wasn't even the favorite part of his trip.

The Oregon State University assistant athletic director for women's basketball joined up with the charity Samaritan's Feet to wash 400 underprivileged kids' feet and then give them shoes. His entire team had the opportunity to participate.

"We washed their feet and gave shoes out to the kids who can't afford shoes," he said. "That was one thing that really impacted all of us, including being able to pray with all of the kids who had been given shoes."

Ely has always been active in his community. He has helped coordinate a partnership between the Oregon State women's team and Corvallis Southside Outreach, a charity that helps underprivileged children in south Corvallis.

A big part of the reason he has such a heart of giving was his time at Northwest Nazarene. He played for the men's basketball team from 1978-82 and helped coach the women's team from 1987-96.

"I have an NNU alum everywhere I go," he said. "I'm trying to represent NNU and the Lord. I'm just thankful for everything NNU and the Church of the Nazarene has given me."

Ely will get a chance to reconnect with his old team this weekend as Oregon State hosts Northwest Nazarene in a women's basketball exhibition game at 11 a.m. PDT on Saturday.

"Coach (Steve) Steele has a good team and he's done a great job with that team," Ely said. "It will be a good game."

Samaritan's Feet, the organization Ely partnered with in Brazil, was founded in 2003 and has given out 6.5 million pairs of shoes in 91 countries and 366 U.S. cities. You can learn more on how to donate and get involved at their website.

Ely is married to Regina, of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and they have two children, C.J. and Rachel.