Athletics – Winning the Right Way
Source/Author: Mike Murphy, Headmaster
October 06, 2017
Eight years ago, Tripp Welborne, who served as our school’s Athletic Director, brought to Shorecrest the language that has framed our athletic philosophy:
Leadership + Service + Teamwork + Pride + Preparation + Commitment = Winning the Right Way.
Recently, I sat down with some of our student athletes to discuss the lessons they have learned from being on the football team. Our football program has faced some challenges in recent years. We are anxious and committed to making improvements. Yet, regardless of the challenges, the team used every word listed in the Winning the Right Way philosophy during our conversation. If I had a son or daughter able to play football, I would want him or her to be on a team with these boys. They get it!
The new strategic plan has singled out athletics as one of 15 specific areas we want to develop for the sake of our students, our community, and our school. A group of parents and administrators are meeting to identify action items we can implement to ensure the athletic experience for our students is meaningful and memorable. The Committee has conducted two open meetings with parents and coaches to hear their ideas. Soon, we will survey Lower School and Middle School parents to learn about their interests and hopes for athletics. Next, we'll survey students in fourth through ninth grades, and Upper School student athletes will have an opportunity to share their views on the future of Shorecrest athletics.
A separate sub-committee is looking specifically at the future of football. The Committee will present recommendations to the Athletic Department and Administration. We will then create a timeline and plan to implement the action items that meet the Mission, Vision, and Athletic Philosophy at Shorecrest.
One of the important activities and lessons from the building of our new strategic plan was identifying the things that will not change. One of the key items that was at the top of everyone’s list is the strong relationships between students and teachers. In this instance, it is the relationships between student-athletes and their coaches. We know that great coaching, like great teaching, can elevate the skill and performance of all players. Coaches can set the tone for the leadership, service, teamwork, pride, preparation, and commitment demonstrated by individuals and the team. There is great responsibility and great opportunity to influence the lives of young people when one agrees to be a coach.
During one of the recent parent forums, a parent who has years of experience in a variety of athletic programs, shared with other participants that we have no idea how challenging it is to find coaches who have the time and willingness to work with our student-athletes, develop a program, and maintain their careers and lives away from Shorecrest. Shorecrest, like most schools, relies heavily on community coaches to provide levels of expertise needed to challenge our top athletes, and at the same time support emerging and developing athletes. Support, cooperation, and respect for these special men and women ensures that they will stick with our school and most importantly, with our Shorecrest students.
Parents, guardians, students of all ages, and family members are encouraged to come watch and support our teams, players, and coaches. Homecoming is on October 20th. Come out and join our community in celebrating our senior athletes, our Homecoming Court, and our football team - our Booster Club even has a pre-game tailgate party planned for you. Come to a volleyball game, a swim meet, a cross country meet, or anyone of the athletic events in which our Chargers play.
I am confident you will be impressed by the talent, hard work and commitment shown by our student-athletes and their coaches. Go Chargers!
Cheers!
Mike
