TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

SOCCER PROGRAM

PHILOSOPHY AND CORE VALUES

The TIU Trojans Soccer Program desires to use the vehicle of intercollegiate athletic competition as an opportunity to develop young men and women in both their current and future relationship with the Lord, while also maintaining a team that regularly competes at an NAIA national level.  By accomplishing these tasks, we will not only be touching the lives of those directly involved in the program, but fulfilling Jesus' Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) to be "salt" and "light" to all whom we might come in contact with in the competitive arena (opponents, fans, officials, media, etc.).

p r o g r a m  p h i  l o s o p h y

Spirituality---Individuals within our program will find a wide variety of opportunities to grow in their relationship with God and share Him with others in their world.  Examples include team prayer and devotions, small group fellowship, service projects, and the prospect of athletic-related short-term missions trips.

Academics---Athletes within our program are, first and foremost, students, and their success in the classroom is of paramount importance.  Each individual will have their academic progress regularly monitored throughout the year through grade sheets completed by their professors.  Our coaching staff will also work closely with the student and their academic advisor in the process of charting their academic path toward graduation.

Personal Growth---We firmly believe that the athletic field is a "laboratory" for life and that the experience of intercollegiate athletics is CO-curricular.  It will be in the midst of the competitive experience that character traits such as hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and the desire for excellence are nurtured and developed.

Athletics---It is our desire to develop a program that is capable of competing at the highest level possible, both physically and mentally.  The soccer abilities given to us are talents from the Lord, and it is our duty to provide a fruitful yield/return on His investment.

c o r e  v a l u e s

Love---This cannot be a "feeling" which we choose to "turn on or off" as we see fit.  The Godly love which we pursue/desire is found in a DECISION, not an EMOTION.

Hope---A majority of this life is not so much what happens to us, but rather how we choose to respond.  We desire to have/maintain an attitude of hopefulness, even in the midst of difficulty or adversity.

Character--- While we will "talk" a lot about who/what we desire to be, what is most important is that our actions fulfill our words.  Character has often been defined as "who we are when no one else is looking".

Passion--- We desire to approach ALL aspects of our program with enthusiasm and zeal, recognizing that we will reach our fullest potential when we participate and compete with energy and motivation.

Work Ethic---We recognize that, ultimately, we will only achieve excellence when we consistently give maximal effort in ALL things, at ALL times.

Servanthood--- We will promote an environment where team members give up their individual "rights" to gain team "responsibilities".  This desire to serve others will be modeled upon the servant life exhibited by Jesus Christ.

Perseverance--- The experience of intercollegiate athletics will often find us facing adversity/difficulty.  We desire to be resilient in our efforts to both battle through and learn from such situations.

Family--- We have attempted to create an environment which resembles a family more than it does the normal athletic team culture.  This atmosphere will include vulnerability, truthfulness, patience, selflessness, and unconditional love.

Excellence--- We will develop a culture where excellence is viewed as the maximum exercise of one's gifts and abilities within the range of responsibilities given by God.

Legacy--- We firmly believe in the concept of players impacting their teammates, program, campus community, and world; not only in the present, but for years to come.