DIOCESE OF NASHVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Interscholastic athletics in the Diocese of Nashville are seen as a component in the overall development of many Catholic school students. It is the ultimate goal of every Catholic school to assist parents in promoting the total development of their children. Total development encompasses four major areas: academic, spiritual, emotional and physical.
These components are fully integrated in a well functioning athletic program. It must be remembered that the Catholic school is an outgrowth of the command of Jesus, "Go therefore and teach all nations." The Church has survived throughout the centuries as a result of following its dedication to this commandment. Catholic athletic programs, being an extension of the Catholic school program, serve as a vehicle whereby Christian values are taught to our youth.
Interscholastic athletic programs provide one of the best media in which Christian character development can be learned. We view a good athletic program to include four components. There is a knowledge component whereby the fundamentals and basic strategies of athletic games are taught and regularly reinforced through practice. The expertise that coaches bring to the athletic programs; their precision in effectively communicating fundamentals and their ability in motivating their students to learn are essential aspects of this component.
The second component is the physical conditioning of the student athlete. We place importance on sound physical fitness for all our students. Being physically fit increases the quality of life. Athletics provides a means for athletes to become physically fit.
The third component is values and attitudes. The potential to help positively form the student athletes' values and attitudes is seen as the most important dimension in the philosophy of Catholic athletes. The mediation of the value of hard work, integrity, pride, toughness and mental/physical alertness, just to mention a few, are the ultimate goals that we wish to see instilled in the student athlete in the Catholic school. Furthermore, athletic teams often serve as a vehicle whereby students develop a heightened sense of school community and spirit. The athletic coach, who mediates the entire spectrum of positive attitudes and values to the athlete, has the mammoth responsibility of understanding, appreciating, practicing and teaching such values.
It is, therefore, incumbent upon school administrators to select athletic coaches who are noted for their strong character and understanding of youth.
Our fourth component is sportsmanship. In every athletic program sportsmanship should be carefully taught and scrupulously practiced. Although sportsmanship is an outgrowth of our third component, values and attitudes, it is seen to be so important that we can consider it to be a category of its own.
Interscholastic athletics also provide an outlet whereby many students productively use their free time. There is an abundance of undesirable and unhealthy activities that are available to kids today and our society suffers as a result of it. Interscholastic athletic programs provide a good alternative to such activities. Furthermore, it provides a vehicle by which some athletes may receive College financial support.
In conclusion, we envision the Catholic interscholastic athletic program to be an effective Outgrowth of the Catholic school philosophy. We view it as an arena whereby the students can receive immeasurable assistance in developing into well integrated human beings spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. Let us promote the positive impact athletics can have on the lives of our young people and work hard to make our programs reflect only those values which are inherent in our Christian Faith.
