Wayne Beilgard realizes that accomplished sports heroes represent a channel that kids usually don't tune out.

With that in mind, the associate pastor for Racine Bible Church, 12505 Spring St., has organized a spiritual gathering for kids Saturday that will be hosted by Racine's Chris Maragos and several of his teammates on the University of Wisconsin football team.

UW players will discuss football and their spiritual faith at the free event, which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Racine Bible Church.

Free food and beverages will be offered and free raffle tickets will be distributed for the chance to win one helmet, two jerseys and three footballs, all of which have been autographed by the entire UW team.

Also, miniature Badger footballs will be given to the first 250 kids to arrive and players will be available to sign autographs.

Beilgard, who also serves as the Milwaukee Brewers' chaplain, wants to offer a positive sports-related perspective for kids,

"When you hear about Steve McNair (the former Tennessee Titans quarterback who was murdered July 4) and all these other guys, it's really kind of discouraging," Beilgard said. "These young men who are coming down are all good men and a lot of them are good Godly men.

"They're living it. They're not just speaking it."

Maragos, a 2005 Horlick High School graduate who became the starting free safety for UW last fall after walking on a year earlier, will be one of the featured speakers.

Other players who have confirmed for this event are center John Moffitt, defensive end O'Brien Schofield, cornerback Aaron Henry, running back Zach Brown, safety Jay Valai, defensive linemen Brendan Kelly and J.J. Watt and incoming freshmen Ethan Armstrong, a linebacker, and Deznan Southward, a safety.

Other players could be added to the list this week for Beilgard's pet project.

"Wayne said, 'Hey can you get some guys?' and I said, 'Yeah, sure, let's do it,' " Maragos said. "So he talked it over with the church and they approved everything and I talked to the guys and we got the ball rolling.

"We got some memorabilia to give away to the fans and we're going to kick it off and have a good time."