Sterling College

“I will rouse your sons…and make you like a warrior’s sword.” Zechariah 9:13

Warrior Men’s Basketball Mission Statement

Our mission is to "Help young men see and seize their potential in all aspects of life". This
begins with a young man’s relationship with Christ and their discovery that only through
him will they experience life to its fullest. We want them to realize what potential they
have and to help them learn to maximize the gifts and abilities God has given them. This
in turn will help them “see and seize” their potential in every area of their lives:
athletically, academically, personally, and in their community. We want them engaged in
the pursuit of whole-hearted excellence in all areas of their lives. This pursuit of
excellence will result in the development of extraordinary men and championship teams.
Warrior Basketball will provide an opportunity for each player to grow, to develop
significant lifelong relationships, to serve others, and to experience the joy and excitement
of becoming all that God designed them to be, both as a person and a basketball player.

Sterling College Men’s Basketball Core Values

To our Lord, our school, and our team we will demonstrate:

Commitment
Unwavering loyalty
Humility
Thinking clearly about yourself and your relationship to others.
Servanthood
Caring for your teammates and making them better.
Thankfulness
Demonstrating gratitude for where we are and what we’ve been blessed with
Passion
Being whole-hearted and emotionally present in everything we do.
Influence
Leaving people, places and things better than we found them.
Excellence
Relentless in our pursuit to be the best we can be.

Program Philosophy

Our first priority as a program is character development. We want to facilitate the total development of the student athlete,
emphasizing their character and personal growth. We believe as our athletes develop character and learn to stand in the face of
adversity, winning will be the natural outcome. Because character is developed within the context of meaningful relationships,
developing positive relationships between coaches and athletes is absolutely crucial.

In our program we emphasize four areas of growth. These areas are Character, Attitude, Preparation, and Performance. We
believe all four areas are critical if we are going to reach the potential God has placed in us. We also believe they are reflected
in the person of Jesus Christ, and by modeling ourselves after him we can become more like him.

CHARACTER Character that reflects Jesus Christ’s Lordship in every area of their lives.
Core Values: Commitment and Humility

“But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims
to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:5-6

“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love,
in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

ATTITUDE Positive attitudes that reflect an optimistic view of life.
Core Values: Servanthood and Thankfulness.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…” Philippians 2:5-7

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.” Ephesians 6:7.

PREPARATION Consistent mental, physical, emotional and spiritual preparation for optimal performance.
Core Values: Passion and Influence

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when
Jesus Christ is revealed.” I Peter 1:13

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a
crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No,
I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1
Corinthians 9:25-27

PERFORMANCE A total release of all their gifts and abilities, pursuing excellence to glorify God.
Core Value: Excellence

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1
Corinthians 9:24

Our ultimate goal is that every one of our players and personnel experiences a deep and dynamic relationship with Christ. This
relationship will form the foundation of character they will carry with them in every area of their lives. Our program theme
verse is “I will rouse your sons…and make you like a warrior’s sword.” (Zechariah 9:13). We want to sharpen our young
men to be great basketball players, but more importantly, godly young men who will become leaders in their families, churches
and communities. As this takes place within the context of the competitive world of intercollegiate athletics, we want pursue
excellence with all of our being, understanding this is the place God has called us to use our gifts and abilities to their fullest.