Adopted: August 1999; June 2001
Updated August 2004 (in bold type)

TSL ATHLETIC HANDBOOK

For Parents, Spectators, Coaches, & Players

Philosophy of Athletics at TSL

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

1 Cor. 10:31

Mission of Athletics

As an extension of our school’s mission, we provide an athletic program at TSL as an opportunity for our students to use their God-given talents in order to give glory to God. This is stated in I Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Philosophy of Athletics

All activities at TSL are Christ-centered. Athletics is no different. Our philosophy is based on Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Our lives, as sanctified children of God, are lives of continuous service to our Lord. Our spiritual, physical, social, emotional, and academic growth are intertwined. Therefore, through its co-curricular activities, Trinity-St. Luke's Lutheran School strives to better equip children for service to the Lord by enriching their spiritual, physical, social, emotional, and academic growth.

TSL has an athletic program to give glory to God. The athletic program is there to extend a specific part of the curriculum, namely the physical education program. Athletics is certainly not a core requirement to the curriculum. Students will survive in life without it. It is enriching rather than required.

Students are required to participate in physical education. This is the bottom of a three-tiered pyramid. The second level of the pyramid is intramural activities. These are offered to students who want to do more activities. These are low-competitive activities. The top of the pyramid is the interscholastic competition.

Our C level goal is to introduce the players to beginning skills and allow all players to play in each game. Players who faithfully attend practices with the intent to work hard and listen will play in all games. Tournaments may be handled differently, due to coach’s judgment.

On the B level, the competition is stronger, but all players will get playing time in most games, but equal playing time is not guaranteed.

On the A level, the goal is to field our best team on the floor, but still seek to play all players. However, this may not always be possible in closely contested games.

Coaches are given the right to make judgmental decisions on which players play and how much based on what they see in practice and in the game. Players who do not work hard in practice or fail to attend practice should not expect the same playing time as those who work hard and attend practices consistently.

Some players also train for a sport during the off-season by practicing on their own or attending camps. Parents should realize that these efforts may be rewarded during the season, but do not guarantee positions on teams or playing time. Players who do not develop their skills or practice in the off season should realize that they may have less playing time than those who have trained, particularly at the A & B team levels.

The form and level changes with other sports. For example: track has no A, B, or C divisions, but is governed by individual participation at the athletes grade level, regardless of skill level. The athlete may be encouraged to try events that have fewer participants in them in order to score points for the team, but for the most part it is the athlete’s choice.

Flag football also has a 5^th and 6^th grade level of teams run through the Park and Recreation Department. 7-8^th grade flag football has been discontinued for this year due to other schools not fielding teams. 6-8^th grade boys may participate in tackle football programs run by Lakeside Lutheran or Watertown.

Another goal of our athletic program is to prepare the athlete for the next level of competition. C team players are preparing for B team competition, B for A, etc. Therefore part of the A team goal is to prepare the player for skills to play in high school. Coaching clinics quite often bring out this very point: Teach your athletes the skills necessary to give them a chance to compete at the high school level. We realize that not all our athletes will compete at this next level.

Both coaches and players need to be reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:31. This thought will govern action on and off the playing surface. Coaches and players need to realize that any successes, no matter how large or small, are gifts from the Lord. All glory should be returned to Him.

Finally, athletics is hard work. It involves a large commitment from the coach and players, who should keep in mind the words of Colossians 3:23- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” The coach will be prepared to teach and encourage the players to work up to their ability.

Objectives

1. The athletes will grow spiritually by showing fruits of the Spirit while participating in the sports. (Galatians 5:23)

2. The athlete will grow emotionally, striving to meet their potential, while taught by their coaches. While competitiveness is important, it is not the only thing. The coaches will also emphasize good sportsmanship, being respectful of others, and a will to win.

3. The athlete will grow physically by engaging in skills that athlete needs for each particular sport.

4. The athlete will grow academically by enhancing their knowledge of the rules and strategies used in the sport.

5. The athlete will grow socially by learning the team concept and the joy of attaining goals together, win or lose.

Expectations of Parents

Parents are expected to set a positive Christian example for their children, fellow Christians, and the unchurched. This will follow the philosophy based on Colossians 3:17, ". . . do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

It will be the responsibility of the parents to watch, care for, and discipline their children before and after all home and away games. If the child’s own parent is not able to attend the athletic contest, the parent will be responsible for finding a “care-giver” when the child is not under the direct control of the coach.

The parent will be responsible for getting the child to and from practices in a timely fashion. Parents are encouraged to volunteer wherever the need arises. Area in need may include volunteering to work at home games and hosting at TSL tournaments.

Expectations of Spectators

The behavior of TSL spectators will follow the philosophy based on Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him”, and our Mission Statement as based on “ Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

We would ask that the spectators act only in a positive Christian manner showing courtesy to players, coaches, and referees. Besides modeling proper conduct TSL spectators should be willing to remind others of proper conduct.

Expectations of Coaches

Coaches, whether lay person or called worker, are to follow the example of our Lord as described in Isaiah 40:11, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

Coaches should love as Jesus loved us. Teaching skills and fundamentals should be taught while Jesus’ love is also modeled. The coach must understand that they are responsible for their behavior at all times and their conduct reflects on our school and our Savior.

Coaches should have a general knowledge of the sport they are assigned to coach. At TSL coaches are to develop and encourage athletes at all skill levels.

The coach needs to show organization, a willingness to improve as coach, and a commitment for teaching the fundamental skills of that particular sport. The coach must understand that they are responsible for their behavior at all times.

The coach is responsible for the care and discipline of the athletes during the practices and games. At the end of practice and game activities the parent will assume responsibility for the post-game care and discipline of their child (ren).

The coaches will encourage prayer with the players before each athletic contest.

Expectations of Players

“Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). This passage tells us that anyone watching the sporting event should be able to tell these players are young Christian athletes.