Athlete Code of Conduct

An athlete’s code of conduct certainly pertains to practice and competitive situations. However, as a representative of the school and most importantly of Christ, athletes are held to a higher standard and should therefore expect to make this code of conduct a part of their everyday lifestyle.

1. SPEECH
   Luke 6:45 – “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
   1. Choose your words and timing wisely. Unwholesome talk, slang, profanity or trash talking is not allowed.
   2. Address coaches and officials with respect. You should address your coach as Coach, Mr., Mrs. or Miss. You should be careful about the message your body language is conveying. Divisive speech or behavior will not be tolerated. You are expected to speak to officials with respect addressing them as Sir or Ma’am. THANK THE OFFICIALS AFTER A GAME.
   3. Do not criticize officials or coaches. Coaches and officials represent authority figures and obedience to that authority is not an option. If there are disagreements, then there are respectful and tactful means to approach those in authority.
2. RELATIONSHIPS
   John 15:12 – “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
   1. Develop good relationships and a good reputation with teammates and coaches. You only go through school once in your life. The story of your school days is written by you, and the characters in your story have been placed with a purpose by God. Take the opportunity to build lifelong relationships with those He has placed among you.
   2. Develop good relationships and a good reputation with classmates. Don’t place yourself up on a pedestal. Live with passion and enthusiasm, but also live with humility and grace.
   3. Develop good relationships and a good reputation with students from other schools. Do not view your competitors as mortal enemies but instead as fellow competitors in Christ. Developing a relationship with them will speak a loud testimony regarding Christ.
3. UNITY
   1 Corinthians 12:26 – “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”
   1. Develop unity within your team. Embrace 1 Corinthians 12:26. Truly celebrate other’s successes and lift others up in their failures. “It is amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.” – John Wooden
   2. Develop unity within your school family. Never be jealous or envious of someone else’s role but instead be busy fulfilling your role. Be satisfied in the person God created you to be, not wishing that God would have created you to be like someone else.
   3. Develop unity within the Kingdom. There are many schools who embrace our vision and mission to glorify God. Pray for your competitors and their schools. Have the vision to see yourself as part of the same ultimate team.
4. MOTIVES
   1 Corinthians 10:31 – “In whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
   1. Strive for victory to glorify God. Athletics is a means to an end and not the end itself. The real value of competition is not the wins and losses, but the lessons learned through striving after wins. Perfection is impossible but striving for perfection is not.
   2. Demonstrate Christ by abiding in the rules of the game. A team that lacks discipline, commitment, enthusiasm, or one that plays the game using unfair or unethical tactics does not glorify God.
   3. Commit to excellence. “Commit your works to the Lord, and all your ways will be established.” –Proverbs 16:3
5. BEHAVIOR
   1 John 2:6 – “whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
   1. Maintain a good reputation. As an athlete you are expected to be a student of character and class in the community. This includes your actions and attitude toward administration, faculty and staff. You should refrain from profanity, unwholesome talk and innuendos. You are expected to never be under the influence of, possess or distribute alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs or other contraband. Also, you are not to be involved in any immoral sexual activity or be in possession of any pornography or illicit pictures or literature.
   2. Know and understand all the requirements of participation. You are to follow all team expectations in action and spirit. Failure to do so will result in consequences laid out by the coach and athletic director.
   3. Show respect for all coaches, trainers, and staff. This includes opponents and opponents’ facilities. Leave every place or situation better off than when you arrived.
   4. Show respect for teammates. This is practically done by showing up on time for all practices, meetings and games and working together to accomplish a common goal. As an athlete you are also expected to confront teammates and hold them accountable for inappropriate actions.
   5. Maintain self-control at all times. Unsportsmanlike conduct and technical fouls will not be tolerated and will be penalized accordingly.
   6. Know, understand, and adhere to the philosophy of the athletics program.
   7. Demonstrate Christ-like behavior. This is true both on and off the court.