President John F. Kennedy:  "Physical fitness is the basis of all the activities of our society. Only if our citizens are fit - mentally and physically - will they be capable of the effort and determination needed to meet the great and vital challenges that surely will confront our nation“

 Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower:  "I consider it deeply significant, that in all my many commands during three major war conflicts, I have never had to relieve an officer from duty under combat fire who had competed in varsity football during his collegiate days“

Gen. Douglas MacArthur:  "Upon the fields of friendly strife, are sown the seeds that, upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory“

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena

 whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood

who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions

who spends himself for a worthy cause

who at best if he wins knows the thrills of high acheivement

who if he fails at least fails while daring greatly

so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls

who know neither Vistory nor defeat.

                                                                       Unknown Author

            The first principle to remember is that athletics are educational. In fact, sports participation is one of the most important aspects of our educational system !There is no other course in the school’s curriculum in our educational institutions which offer to a young man or woman all the following benefits !

COMPETITION:   Our entire way of life is based on healthful competition! Every individual in industry, business, sales work, a profession, etc.  Is competing to improve and maintain his economic standing. Is there a better way to teach this important principle of life than thorough athletics?

PHYSICAL WELL BEING:  The nation as a whole is becoming more conscious of the inadequacy of our youth and adults in physical fitness. A foundation is built through athletics that can be a model for developing a program to correct this inadequate situation.

RECOGNITION:  Recognition is something that all people desire. Through proper guidence, athletes can learn to accept recognition in the proper manner. They learn very quickly that the praises they receive are not due to their solo effort.

UNDERSTANDING:   Individuals work together for a common goal in athletics. They learn to accept victory or defeat in the proper mature manner. Team members on an athletic squad learn very quickly how to understand each other and to make the necessary adjustments for the best interest of the team.

RELEASE OF ENERGY:   Everyone, wheather he be an athlete or non-athlete, must release his energy built up in his body at some time or another. Someway, somehow students will find a way to release their physical energy. Athletics offer a wholesome and desirable medium for this purpose.

EMOTIONAL CONTROL:   "When the going gets tough, the tough get going“ This is a well used and common phrase in competitive athletics. The successful athlete learns to get going, by tackling the task at hand. Emotional blow ups can only hamper an athlete’s performance.

DISCIPLINE:    Today we fear from all over the world the cry that young people need to learn sound discipline. No one can deny that athletics teaches and imposes self-discipline. This is vital to a successful adult life. The reason that parents discipline you is because they love you.

THINK UNDER PRESSURE:   The most successful businessman or professional can contribute much of his success to this factor.  Athletes learn this principle very quickly in their career and use this acquired ability the rest of their adult lives.

PERSEVERANCE:   Many adults miss the goal they have been seeking because they quit trying a little too soon. Athletes learn to stay with the task and not give up when the going gets rough. Good athletes stay in there until the contest is over. Athletes develop the ability to adjust which is necessary in life. Everybody has some tragedies and bad breaks in life.

LOYALTY:   Being faithful to athletic teams is an important lesson of athletics. An individual will not fail himself when he has learned the lesson of being faithful and true to others. Tied in with this is dependability.

COURAGE:  Stand up and be counted.

RESPECT:   Respect for religious convictions.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

                                                                        The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  (1929-1968)