Philosophy

       Every aspect of education at Veritas Christian Academy must conform to the Christian life and worldview to which the institution adheres.               

This framework is derived from our ultimate authority, God’s Word, and in turn, must be applied according to the principles and directives of Scripture.  The following is an effort to relate and apply our biblical understanding to interscholastic athletics at VCA.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

     Each human being is created by God to praise and serve Him.  This encompasses every activity and every part of our being.  In athletics then, as in anything else, our ultimate purpose is to glorify and honor God.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

Confessors

     There is nothing of greater importance for any individual, including VCA coaches and athletes, than that they confess with their mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe on Him in their heart (Romans 10 and Ephesians I).  Nothing we do or accomplish in athletics has any ultimate value apart from this one thing.

Reflectors

     Those who profess Christ are to be like Him.  We want our athletes to possess Christ-like character qualities and to express them openly through athletics.  In the rigors of training and under the pressure of competition, these qualities can be emphasized, practiced, and tested.  This builds eternal values – attitudes and actions that are derived from God’s Word, and which can be applied to all types of life situations.

     It is also important that our teams reflect Jesus Christ to those who watch us and who compete against us.  Not every athlete who plays for VCA will bear the name of Christ.  But our school does carry His name, and people will judge Him by what they see in us.  Given the high visibility of interscholastic sports, there is no better way for Veritas to exemplify God’s truth than by living out the lordship of Christ on our athletic fields and courts.

Role Models

     Participation in VCA athletics is an honor and a privilege.  These athletes not only represent the school to surrounding communities, but attain high visibility and influence within the student body as well.     

     Hand in hand with this privilege goes responsibility.  More is expected of Veritas athletes than of the average student.  They need to meet the challenge of additional demands on their time and energy without compromising their primary calling to be students.  They are to be a positive influence among their peers and good role models for younger students.  Theirs is a privilege not owed but earned.

 

 

CHARACTER GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS

    

     The following are some of the character qualities we are seeking to build in our athletes through Veritas athletics.  Each is drawn from God’s Word.  Our expectation is not that of achieving perfection but of growing in conformity to Christ in very visible and very practical ways.  We ask our athletes to exhibit the following attitudes and behaviors:

Respect for Authority

Obey and cooperate with your coach.  Honor the officials.  Recognize that they are placed in their positions of authority by God and as such are owed your respect. 

Humility

Do not boast.  Do not act pridefully.  Acknowledge God as the one who is ultimately responsible for your abilities and successes.   

Endurance

Persevere in the face of pressure, hard work, and discouragement.  Keep your eyes fixed on the higher goal.  Do not quit.  Do not let up.

Intensity

Play to the edge of your limits.  Give your all at all times.  Focus your total attention on the job at hand and put forth every effort to execute it perfectly.  Do not be content with mediocrity; strive for excellence. 

Enthusiasm

Carry out each task promptly and eagerly.  Enjoy the game!

Faith

Show that you know the Lord is in control of every situation and is carrying out His will in your life – even when things do not seem to go your way.

Respect for the Opposition

Be courteous.  Do not let up on them.  They deserve your best effort regardless of the score.  Commend an opponent’s excellence.  Shake a hand!

Responsibility

Be where you need to be when you need to be there.  Do what is expected of you even without direct supervision.  Choose to work and to make wise decisions on your own initiative.

Integrity

Be honest.  Earn a good name as one who is trustworthy.  Play by the rules of the game.  Have a sense of fair play that comes from a real commitment to the truth.

Teamwork

Do not be selfish.  Conform your personal goals to team goals.  Spur each other on to excellence.  Cheer for each other.  When someone is struggling, stick with them.  Be a team!

Servanthood

Look for ways to serve your teammates, your coach, and your school.  Remember Jesus’ example.

Self-Control

Know yourself.  Know how you tend to act under stress.  Recognize areas of weakness, and train yourself to respond in a godly way.