ATHLETIC MISSION & VISION

CDS Athletic Mission Statement

The purpose of athletics at Covenant Day School is to fulfill the ultimate mission of CDS, equipping students to be salt and light for God’s glory, by developing Christ-like character throughout the entire CDS community through the pursuit of excellence in competitive athletics.

The following key principles of the CDS Mission statement will be incorporated across all athletic programs:

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW: CDS athletic programs will promote an environment where the entire CDS community, on the field of play as well as on the sidelines, demonstrates Christian character and conduct. We seek to integrate a biblical worldview on the athletic field as much as in the classroom.

EXCELLENCE: CDS will pursue excellence in the athletic programs as a means of giving honor to the Creator of our physical bodies. We express “excellence” by maximizing individual and team performance and not necessarily results.

AFFORDABILITY: CDS athletic programs will practice good stewardship of the resources available within the overall priorities of the school.

Covenant Day School Athletic Vision Statement

In accordance with our mission statement, CDS will engage its entire community in the following ways in order to achieve its purpose in all existing and future athletic programs and facilities.

Athletes
The goals for the student athlete should be built upon a biblical foundation and include reaching the highest level of individual and team performance while maintaining a primary focus on academics. Athletes are expected to exercise their God-given talents to the best of their abilities, in both practice and play, in order to bring glory to the Creator. Specifically, the desire is for athletes to develop and display Christ-like qualities such as godliness, obedience, humility, servant leadership, perseverance and self-control, while on and off the field, for the purpose of advancing the gospel.

Coaches
At all times, coaches are to represent Christ, themselves, and the school in a God-honoring manner and to train their athletes to do the same. Coaches for Covenant Day School must have a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ and a view of athletics that is consistent with the mission of the program. The athletic program will be staffed with personnel who are gifted in their field and can skillfully prepare the students to compete at their highest level of play. Furthermore, coaches should, within the context of a mentoring relationship, teach their athletes to apply biblical principles in the competitive environment.

Staff (Athletic Director)
The Athletic Director ensures that the athletic program maintains the proper biblical perspective and serves its intended role as an extra-curricular means of support for the overall mission of the school, which is to train students to be salt and light for God’s glory. The Athletic Director oversees the development and implementation of the athletic program in accordance with the vision and long-range plans set forth by the leadership of the school. He must articulate and promote the mission of the program as he serves as an ambassador of the school within the conference and community. The Athletic Director is accountable for hiring and developing the coaching staff, scheduling, and operational tasks that create a strong, competitive program consistent with the school’s standard of excellence. Additionally, he manages the resources available for use by the athletic department, including budgeted funds, donations and Booster Club contributions, using principles of biblical stewardship.

CDS Community
Covenant Day School seeks to apply the benefits and responsibilities of the athletic program to the entire CDS community. The competitive environment is seen as an opportunity for growth, both individually and corporately, in Christian character as teams experience testing and adversity, as well as triumph. As families and fans support the program through attendance at athletic events, they are expected to display, in action and in speech, attitudes that are gracious, hospitable and honoring to the Lord, making the most of every opportunity to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Staff, students and families are encouraged to join together in support of athletics in order to promote a sense of school-wide unity and spirit.

Facilities
Covenant Day School desires to build and maintain, within its means, facilities to support its athletic program. The infrastructure of the athletic program must reflect good stewardship practices and be in line with the school’s mission of affordability and excellence. In each sport offered, the school will provide, through use of its own facilities or utilization of community venues, space for play that meets the state and conference specifications, including safety standards, for that event. In addition, Covenant Day must ensure that teams have adequate areas and times for practices, as well as spectator seating and parking when hosting an event.

Athletic Programs
Covenant Day School believes that all students should be given an opportunity to join an athletic team. Team selections will be conducted in a fair and godly manner. Players will be chosen based on attitude, grades, athletic ability, game skills and potential. Covenant Day School will consider expanding its program to include all levels of teams and sports offered by schools within its conference. The addition of any team to our program will be based upon the following criteria:

 Mission appropriateness – As with all extra-curricular activities, team goals and behaviors must uphold the mission of CDS.
 Interest – Students must demonstrate an eagerness to participate as assessed by the Athletic Director.
 Size of student population – Numbers, as determined by the Head of School and Athletic Director, must support the sustainability of the sport without negative impact on existing programs.
 Resource availability – Resources, including staff, funding and facilities, must be available as assessed by the Board of Directors, Head of School, and Athletic Director.

Existing programs will be reviewed periodically to evaluate their conformance with the above criteria.