“The Trojan Creed”
In my last blog I talked about building relationships beyond the players. This month I want to share our program’s thoughts about building players beyond the game.
We try to teach our football players to live by a creed – “The Trojan Creed.” We believe that if our players follow the creed it can help them be successful in athletics and in life. The creed can be a guideline for the players whether it is on the football field or in the classroom. The “Trojan Creed” consists of five beliefs.
1) Accountability
2) Discipline
3) Perseverance
4) Commitment
5) Pride
The first belief that we teach the players is to be accountable. They need to be where they are expected to be whether it is in the classroom learning or at the designated place for football – the film room, weight room, or the field house getting ready for practice or a game. They need to be prepared for the task at hand and on time.
When our students are at their designated area, we expect the players to have discipline no matter where they are. They have to act right and represent the football program and school. They have to hold themselves to a higher standard because they are student-athletes. We want them to represent their family in a high honor.
We demand the players to persevere and work hard. We expect the player to work hard in the classroom. This must supersede the game field. If they can’t get it done in the classroom, then they more than likely will struggle and not get it done on the practice or game field.
Playing football in a small classification we can experience low numbers on our roster. We must encourage the players not to quit. No matter how difficult it gets in the classroom or on the gridiron, there must be a total commitment of preparation in the classroom and on the football field for us to succeed.
Last, but not least, there must be pride in our school and football program by the players and coaching staff every day. We believe pride is an important part of our football program. We try to incorporate different things in our program to make it fun for our players. Our players enjoy coming to practice and whatever competition we have for them. If our current players have pride and fun in our program, that is a great recruiting tool in getting new players out for your program. They want to be a part of something that is fun.
We have our “Trojan Creed” located on all doors in the weight room and field house to remind the players of our beliefs every time that they leave the building. We believe with that constant reminder and encouragement by the coaching staff every day that it will instill a strong conviction for our student-athletes to be successful on the field and in life.