In a private-Christian high school setting, competing in the state association may present unique challenges for coaches and athletic directors. The expectation to compete with the best and achieve the highest accolades often clashes with the school’s mission and genuine care for each athlete. No doubt, your mission communicates both excellence and the development of Christ-like character and finding a balance between mission and expectation can be difficult. What are the ways we can develop athletes while fostering a winning program?

Athletic training often begins early in life. What begins as a way for parents to keep children active and moving, may eventually turn into a lifelong passion for games that continues to grow well into adulthood. Once these young athletes reach high-school age, they tend to commit to a sport, and their training intensifies. In a secondary school setting, how can student-athletes be supported best in a way that keeps their growing bodies healthy?