Moravian University Athletics Mission Statement

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ATHLETICS AND RECREATION
MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY

Departmental Mission and Philosophy

The mission for the Department is to support the aims of the institution by providing physical education and sport programs, facilities and equipment for the various levels of involvement in the college community and to assist the college in promoting a strong relationship in the surrounding community and the world. The program offers and encourages opportunities for students to expand beyond mediocrity – to strive for excellence. The college supports the program as a means for students to explore and challenge physical limits just as we expand our mind and spirit. The discovery that one may transcend levels, once thought to be limits, is essential to the educational enterprise at the highest levels. This philosophy is based on the college’s belief “that intellectual and physical development and the cultivation of beliefs and values are inseparable from one’s personal and vocational aspirations.” From this foundation the college believes that an active and healthy lifestyle is an essential part of a true liberal arts education and that athletics, recreation and physical education are important elements of the educational experience. In committing to these principles, Moravian College supports a broad range of physical activities that are intended for participation for the entire community from the highly skilled, experienced athlete to the interested novice and/or casual spectator.

Supporting Principles

The Moravian University Department of Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation support the mission of the college and significantly contribute to the most basic purposes of a liberal arts education by demonstrating and promoting the following principles related to the overall mission:

The program aim is toward the self-understanding and personal development of the individual while also teaching the benefits, responsibilities and enthusiasms of team and individual involvement in physical education, recreation and sport.

The welfare and development of the participants is paramount in the program goals, with success, accomplishment, and recognition expected as desirable outcomes of competitive activities.

Conduct of the staff and programs in athletics, recreation, and physical education supports the educational aims of the college and will always maintain the highest level of integrity consistent with the reputation of the college.

Department programs and activities give full and equal attention and access to men and women (of all backgrounds) with the same aim and commitment to both.

The department and its programs are conducted, controlled and financed through the same general procedures, as are other departments and program areas in the college.

Participants in athletics enjoy no greater privileges over non-athletes in admissions, financial aid, grading and all other aspects of student life. Similarly, athletes are not denied any consideration that is available to any other student in the college.

The spirit of fair and competitive play pervades our activities. Participants understand that the purpose of sport and maintaining a program is to benefit the participants and to assist the college in carrying out our educational mission.

Major Objectives

The overall objective of the department in its support of the college is to carry forward and advance the work of John Amos Comenius whose teachings sought a balance between the intellectual, physical and spiritual activities of each person. He took the basic principles of the liberal arts “Mens sana in corpore sano” - a healthy mind in a healthy body – and carried them to the next level – a sound mind, a healthy body, and a content spirit.

“Education should be physical as well as mental and moral… Students should be trained in health and vigor through outdoor life and sports.” Comenius 1592 - 1670

Provide instruction in the area of physical education to allow the undergraduate population to meet the general college and state teacher certification requirements and satisfy the demands of the community by providing courses for elective option by faculty, staff and students (full-time, part-time and continuing education).

Provide and promote an intercollegiate athletic program that supports the educational aims of the college. The objective is to provide a program that successfully competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and in regional playing conferences including the Centennial and Landmark Conferences in twenty non-scholarship areas. Design these programs for highly skilled and experienced varsity athletes who have an interest in competitive athletics and in making a commitment, of the highest order, to train and maximize their potential. The goal of the program is to successfully compete with other institutions at the same level of sponsorship, academic quality and support.

Provide and promote attractive intramural competitions, programs and activities for students, faculty and staff that involve individual campus members in athletic competitions in a casual yet organized fashion.

Provide open recreational opportunities and outlets for the campus community and community users.

Provide information and promote the activities of the department and its participants through contact with local and national media outlets and professional associations.

Provide and promote the physical side of a college wide wellness program for faculty, staff and students.

Advise and promote a wide variety of programs for club sport participants. The program will assist students who have an interest in competing in athletic programs at a high level against clubs from other institutions and/or in competitive sport programs not offered at the varsity sport level.

Develop positive community interest in the college through sponsorship of community based athletic and sport programs in conjunction with local area associations.

Develop department fundraising programs for program enhancement, expansion and operation.

Organize programs involving alumni and friends of the athletic program to assist the college in maintaining its history and tradition while maintaining continued communications with these specific populations and their overall involvement in athletic programs.

Contributions to the University Goals

The benefits and contributions to the campus community as they relate to the college strategic goals and initiatives for students, faculty and staff are:

• Physical activity will contribute to the environment that engenders those values and benefits found uniquely at small liberal arts colleges.
• An active lifestyle will help students develop a breadth of understanding of self and of life beyond the physical development. Their involvement will help students develop an attitude of social tolerance as well as a perspective of sensitivity and humanness.
• The programs will help students establish strong habits of personal fitness and interest in the value of recreational sport, which will stay with them throughout life. In addition, participation in physical education will assist students in adapting to today’s lifestyles and prepare their bodies for dynamic times and an ever-changing society.
• The department will support the recruitment efforts of the college by developing and maintaining attractive competitive programs that actively seek out quality prospective students and student athletes for future involvement.
• The programs will support the college quest for prestige and promote excellence by successfully competing on a local, regional and national level in varsity athletics.
• Participation in the varsity program will build an understanding of the competitive spirit, what it can accomplish, and how to exercise it wisely. Experiencing both victory and defeat in competition and the ability to call upon courage where needed, is an important component of personal development of the individual participants in the program.

Student Outcomes

That all students gain an understanding of theory in both concepts of fitness and concepts of wellness through the required coursework.

That all students acquire the self management skills necessary to adopt a healthy lifestyle through the required coursework in the Concepts of Fitness and Wellness.

That students are exposed to and gain an understanding of a “lifetime sport or a fitness activity”

That student athletes are representative of the college student body on the whole in admissions, academic performance and graduation rate.

The student athletes achieve their highest level of athletic potential with support of qualified faculty coaches, facilities and program support.

Students are able to maintain high levels of fitness and recreation through intramural and recreational opportunities, programs and facilities offered by the college.