Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 17:3 (Fall 1974)
Article: Planning An Athletic Program For The Christian Day School
Author: Norman W. Brown

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CenQ 17:3 (Fall 1974) p. 2

Planning An Athletic Program For The Christian Day School

Norman W. Brown

The proper emphasis of athletics in a Christian day school is not easily attained. Certain school administrators seek to pattern their athletic programs after those of public schools, and invest heavily in facilities and equipment. At the other extreme are those Christian educators whose philosophies leave little or no room for sports programs in the day school. Too often caught in the middle are the students themselves; on one hand, they may sacrifice other essential activities in their pursuit of athletics, and in the second instance, they may be denied the true benefits that are derived from sports.

The day school’s task is to face the issue head-on. The administration must consider more than the personal whims of a few individuals: the pastor or youth director who has never considered the Biblical philosophy of athletics; certain parents whose major concern is the achievements of their budding super-stars; and coaches who have no more understanding of physical education than that afforded by their collegiate football playbooks.

CenQ 17:3 (Fall 1974) p. 3

Only by first taking the “long look” will a day school’s administration succeed in developing an athletic program that accomplishes the desired result-of bringing honor and glory to God Himself. Obviously, the spiritual goals—as well as the lesser benefits-of sports, will more likely be obtained if there is careful planning before the athletic program is a reality.

Certain areas of planning must be considered by a Christian day school, administration seeking to develop a successful athletic program. The approach is four-fold; first, to present a Biblical philosophy which a day school should adopt before considering any athletic program; second, to discuss ideas and details that are involved in administrating, an intramural program; third, to present the advantages arid disadvantages of an interscholastic program; and fourth, to examine the athletic programs presently offered by several of the nation’s Christian day schools.

This study is not intended to be a comprehensive compilation of organizational details such as budget-making and finances. Rather, this study will emphasize the pros and cons which will be of most interest to the day school administrator in planning an athletic program. This study is limited to the discussion of Junior and senior high school programs within a church-related Christian day school.

Athletic activities in schools are of two types; intramural and inter-scholastic Translated literally, intramural means “within the walls.” Intramural athletics, therefore, may be defined as athletic activities carried on ...

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