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Characteristics of a Marianist Education and Athletics

The St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School Athletic Department, in working with its athletes, strives to develop vigor, strength, endurance, vitality, coordination, and resourcefulness. Student athletes are encouraged to develop the quality of courage and the ability to think under duress, making quick and proper decisions. The individual should develop his/her athletic skills to the maximum degree along with the sense of responsibility and respect for the school, the team, the coach, and him/herself. Good sportsmanship, fair play, self-discipline, and personal sacrifice should be used to attain his/her goals for the benefit of the team. To help achieve these goals, the St. Anthony Athletic Department must emphasize the importance of the Marianist traditions and uphold these characteristics with sincere conviction.

Educate for the Formation of Faith

St. Anthony coaches will:

• Encourage and incorporate prayer into the daily routines of their practices and games. Each home contest should begin with a prayer where appropriate.
• Demonstrate how virtue is practiced in sport by establishing expectations of accountability, hard work, and unselfishness. This includes the establishment and enforcement of fair and consistent team rules that require accountability of the athlete and has the expectation of responsibility to his/her team.
• Stimulate the development of personal values by encouraging and supporting participation of the athlete in the religious and service activities of the school, the parish, and the community.
• Develop in the athlete the ability to be inner-directed by developing confidence in his conscience to guide him to make good decisions.
• Be positive and help develop their confidence by making sure each athlete knows and understands his role on the team.

Provide an Integral Quality Education

St. Anthony coaches will:

• Create a positive learning atmosphere by recognizing outstanding performance, achievements, and significant improvements by the athlete.
• Teach time-management skills by helping athletes understand and fulfill their responsibilities to the team, while balancing their responsibility to other sports, academics, family life, and outside activities.
• Develop ownership of team goals by soliciting input from the athletes, both when establishing team goals and evaluating them during the season
• Praise loudly, criticize softly
• Be committed to a philosophy of positive reinforcement. Athletes will not be subjected to unreasonable verbal abuse or derogatory remarks.
• Help the athletic administration provide the best possible coaching for their sport by assisting in the training and supervision of assistant coaches and volunteers.
• Help the athletic administration provide safe experiences by constantly evaluating the condition of equipment and facilities and by reporting unsafe situations to the athletic administration.
• Encourage, monitor, and support the athletes’ academic performances.

Educate for Adaptation and Change

St. Anthony coaches will:

• Educate the athletes to accept and respect differences in our pluralistic society by modeling acceptance of differences in the characteristics of others.
• Encourage the appreciation of others by creating situations in practices where homogenous groups are broken up and athletes who normally do not work together have the opportunity to do so.
• Be aware of “cliques” on the team and address situations immediately
• Educate self and coaching staff to the latest coaching techniques and strategies of the sport. Encourage continued education and training in sport.
• Handle both wins and losses with humility. Teach the athlete to accept and deal appropriately with special victories and difficult losses.

Educate in Family Spirit

St. Anthony coaches will:

• Foster a diverse coaching staff and team and encourage athletes to understand their own distinctive talents and heritage so that they can better appreciate those of others.
• Never tolerate athletes making fun of any other person, but instead expect and demand respect and appreciation of each individual.
• Emphasize family and social awareness
• Create a cooperative atmosphere by giving each team member a responsibility