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Athletics
Athletics
at CPLS
CPLS considers physical education to be integral in the development of a child. We believe God uses everything—including athletics—in our lives for His purpose, and we are commanded to “do everything as unto the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23).
Athletics is a great example of the Classical model in action. In the Grammar Stage, athletes learn about the equipment and memorize the rules. In the Logic Stage, they keep the rules in mind and begin to use the equipment to practice and train their bodies. Eventually they reach the final stage where they participate in competition and strive to perform the things they have learned to the best of their abilities. Furthermore, a vibrant athletic program provides discipleship opportunities that cannot be found in the classroom.
Beginning in the Fall of 2020, CPLS became a full member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHAA) and competes in the 2A classification.
77% of CPLS students in grades 6-12 participated in at least one sport last year. Of those students, 50% participated in more than one sport.
Many of our finest athletes never considered themselves to be athletes before becoming students at CPLS. Or maybe they thought they were only a “soccer player” and came to CPLS and discovered they were capable of a whole lot more. CPLS is a school where an athlete can play multiple sports and still sing in the school musical and participate in Scholars Bowl.
Vision & Philosophy
of the Athletic Department Vision & Philosophy
Athletic Department Vision Statement
The mission of CPLS:
To cultivate classically trained, life long learners, committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, who will enrich their community and God’s kingdom.
Within this mission, the following is set out as the vision statement of the CPLS Athletic Department:
- To develop and administer an athletic program which assists CPLS in fulfilling its mission and philosophy.
- To develop and administer an athletic program which serves as a “light” in the athletic community and as an example of Godly character in the competitive athletic arena.
- To develop and administer an athletic program which enhances awareness of the existence of CPLS in the Topeka community and thus assists in the arenas of public relations and development.
- To develop and administer an athletic program which attracts new and retains present students.
Athletic Department Philosophy
The purpose of the CPLS Athletic program is to provide students with opportunities to develop both God-given athletic abilities and Christian character qualities. Therefore, the CPLS athletic programs stress these aspects:
- the establishment of a disciplined work ethic – conditioning
- the fostering of unity and community – competition
- submission to authority — cooperation
- a winning attitude – character
- a spirit of servant leadership –Christ-likeness
Conditioning
Conditioning involves the enhancement of the physical condition of the participating athletes. Athletes should strive to maintain good physical fitness. Students are expected to report to their sport in good physical condition and remain disciplined throughout the season.
Competition
The athletic program fosters involvement and enjoyment of interscholastic competition. This competition is pursued to encourage involvement of the student body in athletics, to promote school spirit and to provide yet another common cause upon which players and supporters can focus.
Cooperation
Athletics serves as an excellent arena for developing habits of cooperation. The promotion of the concept of “team” over “self” is a valuable facilitator of attributes that carry over into the athlete’s contribution to other areas. The necessary submission to coaches and game officials demands a level of cooperation that promotes maturity in the individual athlete.
Character
We are committed not only to the development of basic fundamental game skills, but also to the development of positive character qualities. We believe these qualities are vital both to personal growth and the success of the athletic program. These positive qualities will be developed through much effort, practice and prayer. These elements, inherent in athletic competition, have their parallel applications in spiritual maturity.
- Responsibility: fulfilling the known expectations of those in authority over us and the needs of those under our care
- Determination: purposing in your heart to accomplish God’s best and use all our energies to overcome adversity
- Enthusiasm: take an interest in every part of your sport and be glad to quickly carry out every part of the job
- Humility: show forth the attitude that God is the one responsible for your abilities, talents and successes
- Diligence: use all your strength and ability to complete each part of your task whether in practice, in a game, or anywhere else
- Dependability: be at all practices and contests; do what is expected of you in all situations
- Discipline: delayed gratification; putting off pleasure to complete a necessary task that will ultimately increase that pleasure
- Endurance: inward strength to withstand stress in order to accomplish God’s best
- Flexibility: not setting affection on ideas or plans which could be changed by God or others
- Gratefulness: making known to others the ways in which they have benefited your life
Christ-likeness
This is the ultimate goal of all educational endeavors that are Christian in their orientation. This is no less true in the athletic arena. The athletic programs, approached from a Biblical perspective, will be a key asset to the development of spiritual maturity in the students who participate.