Principia College Athletics

Purpose

“The Principia shall seek to serve the Cause of Christian Science through appropriate channels open to it as an educational institution.”

- Policy 1 from Education at The Principia by Mary Kimball Morgan

Athletic Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Principia athletic program is to offer students a vigorous physical activity curriculum that encourages spiritual growth and character development, creates opportunities to learn and master new skills, and provides a forum for achieving competitive excellence.

Vision

The vision driving Principia athletics is educational in the larger sense because it helps students maintain a balance between intellectual pursuits and a competitive athletic enterprise that complements the development of the whole person. It encourages a lifelong passion for sport and endeavors to nurture unique and essential qualities in shaping the character and spiritual progress of each participant. Working hard to achieve excellence, sacrificing self for team, expressing a sense of joy for the opportunity to compete, and demonstrating grace and sportsmanship in victory or defeat represent our highest ideals in this pursuit.

SUCCESS

Athletics at Principia provide the ultimate learning environment, and success as both an athlete and individual is our goal. Inspired by the study and practice of Christian Science, Principia student-athletes are encouraged to grow in character, foster their competitive spirit, and commit themselves not only to academic achievement but to serving others. 

This is how we define SUCCESS:  Spirituality Underpinning Character, Competitive Excellence, Scholarship, and Service.

Principia Learning Outcomes

Athletic/PE Department

The Athletics/Physical Education program provides students a broad range of physical activities that not only encourage spiritual growth and character development but also helps students maintain a balance of intellectual pursuits and physical endeavors. Any student completing the Athletics/Physical Education General Requirement will be able to do the following:

1.  Demonstrate dominion over the perceived mental and physical limitations associated with sport and physical activity.

2.  Conceptualize and perform proper movement and refined motor skills. 

3.  Practice the qualities of discipline, perseverance, and structure associated with physical activity. 

4.  Develop an appreciation for and enjoyment of lifelong physical activity.

5.  Work individually and/or collectively toward the achievement of a physical goal.

Varsity Athletics

As a way of integrating the learning outcomes outlined above for athletics/physical education generally, the qualities of character, life skills, teamwork and games skills are the specific focus of varsity athletics.

Character: Our student-athletes will demonstrate character growth and spiritual progress through the following:

·         sportsmanship and ethical behavior

·         resilience and self-control

·         self-discipline

·         accountability

·         integrity

·         attention to detail

·         unselfishness

·         understanding the value of hard work and practice

·         respect for teammates, opponents, officials, coaches, parents, and fans

·         prayer and adherence to the Golden Rule

Life Skills: Our student-athletes will demonstrate the qualities of a good student and be able to explain how lessons learned in sport apply outside the competitive arena by doing the following:

·         “knowing thyself” and capably articulating one’s values and purpose

·         identifying distractions, making adjustments, and re-focusing one’s efforts

·         honestly evaluating performance in daily life

·         establishing an appropriate balance between sport and other life activities

·         establishing enduring relationships with coaches and teachers alike

Teamwork: Our student-athletes will demonstrate the qualities of a good team member by doing the following:

·         embracing the concept of team - that each member contributes to the whole, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

·         demanding much of oneself and others

·         understanding the dynamic role of leadership - that it takes moral courage to lead with authority and bring out the best in others

·         communicating effectively - verbally, through body language, at the appropriate time, and with the proper delivery

·         engaging in active followership

Game Skills: Our student-athletes will demonstrate the skills that win contests within the rigors of NCAA DIII intercollegiate competition by doing the following:

·         displaying competitive maturity - the right balance of intensity and restraint, seriousness and lightheartedness, grit and grace

·         processing critical information in a competitive environment leading to avenues of creative problem solving

·         performing technical skills with proficiency and precision

·         developing mental skills such as confidence, perseverance, focus, concentration, and dominion

·         understanding the game/activity and the rules of play

Relating Outcomes to Years of Eligibility

The student-athlete experience is developmental. Participants in a sport are recruited with the expectation that they will possess desire, talent, ability, and experience in their activity. Student-athletes will invariably present varying degrees of familiarity with the general tenor of our departmental outcomes as they embark on their collegiate careers. Expectations for freshmen will be different from those for seniors. The hope is that student-athletes will remain in a sport for the allowable four years of their eligibility, thereby fully engaging the benefits of our programs.