Wichita Collegiate Athletics

Collegiate Athletic Philosophy
The goal of the WCS athletic program is to help students achieve their athletic potential through the development of participation, competition, sportsmanship, and team membership. Recognizing the distinctive differences between Middle School and Upper School students, the WCS athletic program works to meet the developmental needs of each age group throughout a student’s athletic experience.

WCS places a premium on the role of athletics in a student’s life. The obvious benefits of athletics are physical exercise, healthy competition, and the invaluable life skill of teamwork. The true merit of athletics, however, is in developing and fostering relationships, and in the discovery of self while pushing beyond, and even shattering, self-imposed limitations. Granted, the thrill of victory is most gratifying, but the satisfaction of knowing that a team came together, on and off the field, to act as one collective whole is of far greater significance.

Balance
At Collegiate we understand the importance of balance in regards to academics and athletics.  No practice begins before 4:00 pm to insure that adequate time is allowed for tutorials.  We pride ourselves on an academic first approach, while at the same time producing champions on both the courts and the playing fields.

Participation
Participation by students involved in the WCS athletic program is an important goal. During the middle school years, participation by all athletes is the most desirable situation. In the transition from Middle School to Upper School, every effort will be made to ensure that our athletes continue to experience individual improvement and success. Coaches will strive to teach athletes the responsibility of commitment to a team, positive discipline habits towards practices and games, and team cooperation. Coaches at WCS are in the unique position of moving the team towards success while also focusing on the needs of each individual team member. This demanding balancing act takes an added portion of talent by the coaches and is the most challenging aspect of coaching at Collegiate.

Team Membership
Coaches will teach athletes the value of being on a team and the contribution each athlete must make to be a successful team member. Team members have the responsibility to themselves, their teammates, and the coach to learn their role on the team. Teamwork requires the development of many interpersonal skills, as well as humility and subordination of ego for the good of the team. These skills include listening with an open mind, expressing one’s opinions, following directions, accepting constructive criticism, and supporting teammates and coaches. Positive camaraderie will be developed between coaches and athletes when each works together toward a common goal.

Competition
Our desired attitude regarding competition by individual athletes and teams is to compete with intensity and maximum commitment throughout the entire contest. Our measure for performance may not always be in winning, but in giving the best an athlete and team have to offer. We want our athletes to enjoy competition, to look forward to the challenge of doing one’s best, and to encourage others to do their best.

Sportsmanship
Desirable sportsmanship includes knowledge of the rules, playing by the rules, and respecting the rules. Sportsmanship also includes respect for self, teammates, coaches, officials, and opponents. The unwillingness to take advantage of rules or people unfairly is the goal of positive sportsmanship.