The Interscholastic Athletic Program at Newton North High School is committed to the total physical, emotional, social and mental development of its participants. The program is an extension of the values and ideals developed in the Athletic Mission Statement and constantly strives towards the development of well rounded individuals.

Building self-esteem and self-confidence is an ongoing process, used in both games and practices. Through this process Newton North coaches challenge and develop players, both technically and emotionally, in a positive manner, using both praise and constructive criticism. Coaches are encouraged to make praise personal, criticism impersonal.

As members of the Newton North athletic program, students and coaches are expected to demonstrate proper respect for each other, other teams and coaches, teammates, officials, spectators and equipment. Student athletes and coaches are expected to exhibit the highest level of conduct, both on and off the playing field, as they are, at all times, representatives of their team, school and community.

The Newton North High School athletic philosophy goes hand in hand with the school's spirit of academic challenge. Superb coaching and training facilities and an extensive, gender-balanced program provide a setting in which students can develop themselves both as players and individuals. Newton North students demonstrate that a pursuit of excellence in athletics is fully compatible with the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, and that a combination of the two endeavors lends itself to a more complete educational experience.

By supporting a vast menu of athletic activities and encouraging all students, athletically inclined or not, to participate, we provide the information and processes necessary for all students to fashion their dreams into richer and more satisfying realities.

By learning to think critically, withstand pressure, respect ourselves and others, adapt to change, question and respect authority, and hold ourselves and others to high ethical and educational standards, students and coaches accomplish the more difficult task: discovering in ourselves a fundamental worth that transcends athletic performance.

Our purposes, further, are to actively involve the greater community in our lives at the school and to be accountable for what we do. The department strives for excellence, not perfection. It is also our purpose, our duty, to emphasize to the community that excellence is fragile; it thrives on trust, the freedom to teach/coach and learn, and open communication.

The Newton North athletic department dynamically supports the academic mission of the school. The athletic program is an extension of the academic classroom, not a diversion from it. The department of athletics' philosophical orientation is consistent with the school's mission statement. Our Mission therefore is to

encourage participation in a wide variety of offerings. All students will be challenged to take a chance on success

require students to meet reasonable standards for, and during, participation. These standards are defined by state association, league and school requirements and guidelines. They are enriched by innovative training and coaching. They are sustained by challenging and competitive athletic opportunities. We believe a genuine commitment and effort in any endeavor improves the quality of the participation.

emphasize that respect for human differences and for the diversity of peoples must be at the center of the athletic experience. As members of the athletic program, students and coaches are expected to demonstrate proper respect for teammates, opponents, officials, spectators and property. Student-athletes and coaches are expected to exhibit the highest level of conduct, both on and off the playing field, as they are, at all times, representatives of their team, school and community.

evaluate our athletic, professional, and personal progress regularly. Success is measured by more than wins and losses as winning and losing become byproducts of the quality of our efforts. A dynamic athletic program is vital to the positive social, physical, and educational development of students. It is our responsibility that the program functions at all times as an integral part of the total curriculum.

foster moral awareness and civic participation by the example of our daily behavior. We offer opportunities to serve the school and develop fellowship and good will. We promote self-realization with physical, mental and emotional growth. We encourage the qualities of good citizenship and the ideals of good sportsmanship, ethical behavior and integrity throughout our school and community.