Perspective
PREFACE: THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE OF ATHLETICS AT DLS:
Dallas Lutheran School is here to help train you for a life of service to God and man. Your coaches want to assist your spiritual, as well as your physical and mental growth. They want you to grow to be more like Christ and “increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) It is the guiding light of Christ’s spirit in our lives that shows us how to use our mental and physical capacities to God’s glory. At DLS, you are a part of a unique fellowship, that of Christ’s family. Our prayer for you is that you will always continue to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ as long as you live; and that you may always have the peace and joy that HE alone can give.
MAKE GOD “NUMBER ONE”:
Christ taught us that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength. (Mark 12:30) God wants to be number one in our lives—placed ahead of family, friends, possessions, and athletics. He wants to live in us (I Cor. 8:16) and use us to carry out HIS work in the world. (II Cor.9:8) Your coaches firmly believe that your actions in athletic practices, contests, school, and everything you do, should be an expression of God’s will for you.
GLORIFY GOD:
As Christian athletes, we are commanded by God Himself, to strive for excellence and competence in our area of participation. Ecc. 9:10 says: “Whatsoever your hands find to do, do it with all your strength.” The ultimate goal of our striving must be to give glory to our God, who is the source of all our talents. We strive for excellence in our athletic endeavors, that by such excellence, God’s name might be praised.
WORK FOR GOD:
As a Christian athlete, we need to remind ourselves that our responsibility is not merely to avoid those things which we know will cause us problems, but to do all in our power to improve ourselves and aid those around us. As it says in James 4:17: “Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
LOVE ALL PEOPLE:
The Christian athlete must also strive for excellence through adhering to the rules of the game. Our Christian duty is clearly stated: “Follow the Lord’s rules for doing His work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.” The Christian will exhibit the principles of good sportsmanship as an outgrowth of brotherly love. Rebuke anyone who sins—don’t let him get away with it or you will be equally guilty. Don’t seek revenge. Don’t bear a grudge, but love your neighbor as yourself, for I am the Lord. (Lev. 19:17-18) For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love others as you love yourself.”
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE:
Athletics at DLS place a Christian into a special position. This position gives one a special opportunity to witness his/her faith through his/her actions and deeds, both on the athletic field and off of it, and in his/her day to day living. The title, ”Christian – Athlete”, carries responsibility; responsibility to Christ for everything one does and a duty to his/her role in life as an athlete. A Christian athlete is one who has taken the challenge of life, the challenge to do his/her best and dedicate himself/herself to carry out what he/she feels is right in life, regardless of the consequence. (1 Pet. 3:13-15) Assuming this challenge early in life is to lay the foundation for a long, full, and enjoyable life. (Prov. 22:16) Within our athletic program we must always be aware of the opportunity that has arisen for us, as brothers and sisters of Christ, to exhibit our peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. We must be careful to never neglect our relationship with Christ through insensitivity to our fellow man; nor should we ever act in opposition to what we understand and know to be our Christian duty. To act contrary to such knowledge would be sinful. (1 Cor. 10:23)
ACCEPT AND ENCOURAGE DISCIPLINE:
To allow wrongful acts to continue indicates a lack of love. In Hebrews 12:5,6,8,&11 our responsibilities are identified: “My son, don’t be angry when the Lord punishes you. Don’t be discouraged when HE has to show you where you are wrong. For when HE punishes you, it proves that HE loves you. If God doesn’t punish you when you need it, as other fathers punish their sons, then it means you aren’t really God’s son at all, that you don’t really belong to His family.” Finally in verse 11 the results of correction appear. Being punished isn’t enjoyable—while it is happening it hurts; but afterwards we can see the results, a quiet growth in character and grace.” The Christian coach and athlete is ready to correct misconduct through Christian love. Our duty to our brothers is stated clearly in Gal. 6:1, “dear brothers, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back into the right path, remembering that the next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong."
LIVE AND GROW TOGETHER:
Athletics offer us a great opportunity for individual growth through Christian fellowship. The development of team spirit and team play, the respect we develop for each other as fellow athletes (regardless of ability), the joy that we experience from winning and the growth that comes from losing, helps each one of us to mature into contributing members of the body of believers.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- The Executive Director of Dallas Lutheran School is responsible to T.A.P.P.S. and to the Board of Directors of Dallas Lutheran School for the conduct of the athletic program.
- The Athletic Director, appointed by the Executive Director upon the approval of Board of Directors, shall supervise the athletic program and shall be responsible directly to the Executive Director. The Athletic Director is the authorized representative to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (T.A.P.P.S.).
- Head Coaches and Assistant coaches shall be appointed by the Athletic Director and approved by the Executive Director. Each coach shall be accountable for the conduct of his/her athletes while they are in season and under their care because they are official representatives of Dallas Lutheran School and our Lord.
- The Athletic Council (all coaches) shall assist the Executive Director and the Athletic Director in the formulation of recommendations for athletic policy. Meetings are held before the beginning of the school year and at the end of the spring sports schedule.
PROGRAMS OFFERED:
Dallas Lutheran School is a member of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial School (T.A.P.P.S.). For the 2006-2007 and the 2007 – 2008 school years, our district will be known as District II: 5A. The schools included vary from sport to sport and are as follows:
Football Volleyball Basketball
Dallas Christian School Dallas Christian School Dallas Christian School
Dallas Lutheran Dallas Lutheran Dallas Lutheran
First Baptist First Baptist First Baptist
Parish Episcopal Parish Episcopal Parish Episcopal
Shelton School Shelton School Shelton School
Prestonwood Christian Prestonwood Christian Prestonwood Christian
Bishop T.K. Gorman (Tyler,TX) Bishop T.K. Gorman (Tyler,TX) Bishop T.K. Gorman (Tyler,TX)
Grace Community (Tyler,TX) Grace Community (Tyler,TX) Grace Community (Tyler,TX)
Softball Baseball Winter Soccer
Dallas Christian School Dallas Christian School Dallas Christian School
Dallas Lutheran Dallas Lutheran Dallas Lutheran
First Baptist First Baptist First Baptist
Parish Episcopal Parish Episcopal Parish Episcopal
Shelton School Shelton School Fort Worth Christian
Prestonwood Christian Prestonwood Christian Prestonwood Christian
Bishop T.K. Gorman (Tyler,TX) Bishop T.K. Gorman (Tyler,TX) Bishop T.K. Gorman (Tyler,TX)
Grace Community (Tyler,TX) Grace Community (Tyler,TX) Grace Community (Tyler,TX)
Southwest Christian School (F.W.)
Golf
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Dallas Christian School
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Dallas Lutheran
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First Baptist
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Parish Episcopal
-
Shelton School
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Prestonwood Christian
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Bishop T.K. Gorman (Tyler,TX)
-
Grace Community (Tyler,TX)
In addition to the varsity level sports offered, DLS also offers, when possible, participation in Junior Varsity level sports.
Lutheran Middle School is a member of the Metro Lutheran League, and also competes against other area Christian schools.
FALL GIRL’S SPORTS:
Volleyball Varsity, JV, and Middle School
Cheerleading Varsity,
Mascot (co-ed) Varsity
Color Guard Varsity High School (only)
Voice of the Lions for Football (co-ed)
Cross Country Varsity, Middle School (A squad might be available)
WINTER GIRL’S SPORTS:
Basketball Varsity, JV, and Middle School
Cheerleading Varsity, Middle School (A squad might be available)
Soccer (co-ed) Varsity, JV, Middle School-coed (A squad might be available)
Voice of the Lions Varsity
SPRING GIRL’S SPORTS:
Softball (Fast Pitch) Varsity, Middle School (A squad might be available)
Golf Varsity, Middle School (A squad might be available)
FALL BOY’S SPORTS:
Football Varsity, Middle School
Voice of the Lions Varsity
Mascot Varsity
Cross Country Varsity, Middle School (A squad might be available)
WINTER BOY’S SPORTS:
Basketball Varsity, JV, Middle School
Soccer (co-ed) Varsity, JV, Middle School-coed (A squad might be available)
Voice of the Lions Varsity
Mascot Varsity
SPRING BOY’S SPORTS:
Baseball Varsity, Middle School
Golf Varsity, Middle School(A squad might be available)
(Note: ALL sports and levels of competition are offered as enrollment and/or interest permits; Qualified coaches must also be available before a sport will be offered.)
REQUIREMENTS BEFORE PARTICIPATION
- The completed PARENTAL CONSENT FORM must be turned in to the MAIN OFFICE.
- The completed HANDBOOK ACCEPTANCE FORM must be signed and turned in to the MAIN OFFICE.
- The completed EMERGENCY MEDICAL RELEASE FORM must be turned in to the MAIN OFFICE.
- The completed STUDENT INSURANCE VERIFICATION FORM must be turned in to the MAIN OFFICE
- The completed PHYSICAL FORM must be turned in to the MAIN OFFICE.