ATHLETICS

COMMITMENT: A Message from the Athletics Coordinator

Gerard Laurence N. Delas Penas, Athletics Coordinator

Originally published in the June 2006 edition of the Xavier School Parents’ Bulletin

Posted Thursday, 29-Jun-2006 3:26 PM   

     Commitment is the theme of Xavier Athletics. The biggest, and maybe the only, incentive of our student-athletes in making a commitment is the privilege of carrying the school flag in interscholastic athletic competitions.

     Because of this, we in Xavier School are committed to helping our athletes realize and achieve their academic potentials as they prepare for their future. We are committed to ensuring our student-athletes take their academics seriously and that they do not lose sight of the educational purpose for which they are attending Xavier School. We believe that we have a sound academic monitoring program in place that pushes our student-athletes towards commitment in the classroom as well.

     From years of commitment, Xavier School Athletics is rich in tradition and success. We are committed, through our service and our continual improvements to our programs and facilities, to provide an athletic experience for out student-athletes that is rewarding, enriching, and most of all enjoyable.

     Athletics in Xavier are part of a selection of co-curricular activities available to our students. Xavier School fields over thirty teams in twelve different sports.  Students are not required to take part in organized athletics, but many do. As of last school year, we had 488 athletes who competed in tournaments and leagues in different age-groups in one level or another. The teams are selected on a competitive basis.

     With the inclusion of new sports in the Physical Education curriculum (Fencing, Karate, and Wall Climbing) and the opening of several sports clubs, we are looking at including these sports in the varsity program in the near future.

      It is our job in the Athletics and Physical Education – Xavier(APEX) to ensure that our student-athletes:

• have coaches of character, acting as positive role models;
• play at the most competitive level;
• are well-equipped for safety; and
• have proper facilities.

     Sports, although may imitate life, is not life. They are important, but not the most important.  Therefore, it is also our job in the department to see that our coaches, athletes and parents keep athletics in the proper perspective. Long after the score is forgotten, how we have behaved as athletes, as coaches, and as fans will be remembered.

     Does that mean that Xavier cannot compete?  No!  We firmly believe that an athlete should never step on the field without the belief that he can win, and the intention that he will win.  Every year we have most of our teams in some level of playoff, win several championships, and place many teams second or third

     The point is that we compete very successfully, and with a great deal of pride; and our student-athletes learn to compete with character and to handle the outcome with class.  Quality coaches yield quality results.  We are blessed to have in place the coaches we now have: men and women who give a great deal of their talent and time to our student-athletes, often with little personal glory. We have programs lined-up to improve the competencies of our coaches.

     Jesuit education encourages a realistic knowledge, love and acceptance of self. A student is not a failure because he did not make a team or was cut from the more qualified ones. He should utilize his other talents and explore another activity. 

     We have several non-athletic co-curricular organizations through which students may learn many of the same leadership skills that are taught in the court or field. There is a variety of opportunities and “arenas” for every Don to make a mark, “his mark,” in school life.

     With the privilege our students-athletes get in participating in Varsity Athletics, comes certain responsibilities and requirements. They should remember that, as Xavier student-athletes, they represent theirs teams, the athletics department and the School at all times. We are confident that our student-athletes will assume that responsibility appropriately.

     We could not be more excited about the start of a new academic and athletic year. We have been working with the Administration over the past few months to stabilize and improve many areas within the Athletics Department.

     This Jubilee year, we are about to enter a dynamic and productive time for Xavier Athletics. It is our hope that our commitment to the ideals of sound character and good citizenship transcend to our student-athletes.

     Our joint commitment will produce an athletic program that will be known for competitiveness, spirit and model sportsmanship!

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