Trinity Lutheran School believes that athletic competition should be governed by Christian values as well as the basic principles of good sportsmanship.  The following has been prepared to ensure that players, parents, and coaches have a common understanding of those principles.

Christian sportsmanship is the way that participants, coaches, and fans represent themselves, their team, their school, and their Savior.  It is a commitment to fair play, ethical behavior, and Christian integrity.  It is defined as those qualities which are characterized by generosity and genuine Christian love for others, such as:

• Playing fair and being a good citizen
• Treating others as you wish to be treated
• Respecting others and yourself
• Imposing self-control, being courteous, and gracefully accepting the results of your actions
• Displaying ethical and Christ-like behavior by being good and doing what is right in God’s sight

To demonstrate good sportsmanship, a participant must be:

• Responsible for personal actions
• A team player
• Coachable and accepting of direction
• Respectful of other competitors and teams
• Willing to accept victory or defeat
• Mindful of academic responsibility
• Respectful of officials, authority, and decisions

To demonstrate good sportsmanship, a coach must be:

• Responsible for personal actions
• Respectful of participants and fans
• Supportive of all participants in victory or defeat
• Mindful of a participant’s academic responsibility
• Respectful of officials, authority, and decisions

To demonstrate good sportsmanship, a spectator must be:

• Responsible for personal actions
• Respectful of all participants, fans, and coaches
• Supportive of their team in victory or defeat
• Respectful of officials and their decisions

Parents and spectators, by their behavior and reaction, determine to a large extent the reputation for sportsmanship of their child’s team and school.  Parents should keep in mind that athletes are friendly rivals as members of opposing teams and should be treated as such.  In many cases, these players and their rivals will be future teammates or classmates when they progress to high school.  It should be our responsibility to help foster these friendships for future years.

If a spectator behaves in a manner deemed inappropriate that spectator could be removed from a game or possible denial of attendance at future athletic activities.

Trinity is committed to upholding the ideals of good sportsmanship and Christian values.  Therefore, it is important that the actions of the participants, coaches, and spectators be a positive reflection on Trinity Lutheran School as well as our Lord and Savior.