Character Development

Character Development is non-negotiable!

 If we don't make time, we aren't truly serving our kids.

Today's student-athletes are growing up in a world that looks very different from the one many of us experienced as young people. While the foundation of character development remains the same, our young men and women must also be prepared to navigate challenges involving social media, technology, peer pressure, relationships, and the legal consequences of their choices. Our responsibility is not only to teach the character traits that have always mattered, but also to intentionally educate our athletes about the world they live in and equip them to make responsible decisions when faced with situations they may not fully understand.

Character Traits That Need To Be Developed

• Accountability — Taking responsibility for your choices, actions, and mistakes.

• Discipline — Doing what is required even when no one is watching.

• Integrity — Doing what is right, even when it is difficult or unpopular.

• Respect — Treating yourself, teammates, opponents, coaches, teachers, and others with dignity.

• Perseverance — Continuing to work through adversity, failure, and challenges.

• Self-Control — Managing emotions, words, reactions, and impulses.

• Work Ethic — Understanding that meaningful success requires consistent effort.

• Leadership — Using your influence to positively impact those around you.

• Empathy — Understanding how our words and actions affect others.

• Humility — Being confident in your abilities while remaining teachable and willing to serve others.

Modern Issues Our Athletes Must Understand

In addition to traditional character development, our athletes will be intentionally educated about the real-world situations they may encounter as young men and women, including:

• Social Media & Digital Footprints: Understanding that posts, messages, pictures, and videos can have lasting personal, academic, athletic, and professional consequences.

• Inappropriate Pictures & Sexting: Knowing what to do when someone sends, requests, saves, or shares inappropriate images and understanding the potential consequences.

• Cyberbullying & Online Harassment: Understanding when “joking” becomes harmful behavior and how online actions can affect others.

• Threats & Online Communication: Recognizing that threats made through texts, group chats, social media, or gaming platforms can have serious consequences, even when someone claims they were joking.

• Horseplay, Fighting, Assault & Liability: Understanding the difference between playing around and behavior that can cause injury or result in school discipline or legal consequences.

• Peer Pressure & Group Mentality: Recognizing that being present, encouraging, recording, sharing, or participating can still make someone responsible for what happens.

• Relationships, Boundaries & Consent: Understanding healthy relationships, personal boundaries, respect, and the importance of consent.

• Reputation, Choices & Future Opportunities:  Understanding how decisions made today can affect friendships, education, athletics, employment, and opportunities later in life.

The goal is not to scare our athletes, but honestly, there should be an aspect of fear toward the seriousness of the consequences of our actions. We want our young men and women to understand that character is demonstrated not only in the weight room, classroom, or competition, but also in the choices they make when no coach, parent, or teacher is watching.