Bethel University Athletics

1.  The philosophy of the Bethel tennis program will be to enjoy playing a great game to the best of your God given ability, working to do your very best in practice and in matches, and showing an attractive Christ-like spirit on and off the court as a Christian witness.
   • Col. 3: 23-24 "Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters, remembering that it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all He owns. He is the one you are really working for."
2. The coaches see themselves as program organizers and player helpers; spiritually, physically, and mentally. We pledge to do what we believe is in the best interest of the program and person in each decision we make.
   • I Thess. 2:11 "We talked to you as a father to his own children...pleading, encouraging, demanding..."
3. The coaches encourage players to discuss decisions and make suggestions at appropriate times, recognizing that God has placed each of us under earthly authority.
   • Romans 13:1,5 "Obey the authorities, for God is the one who has put it there...Obey the laws, then, for two reasons; first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you know you should."
4. Players and coaches will show a positive attitude toward themselves, teammates, and opponents. They will play by the tennis code of conduct and expect it to be enforced. Players will "form stroke" errors to maintain a positive attitude. Teammates will support each other in practice and throughout matches.
   • I John 4:7 "Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and they they are getting to know Him better."
5. Players and coaches will be on time for practice and matches, including set-up, take down, and pre-play stretching and warmup. The coaches must be notified in advance of missing practice or match, and only for emergency reasons.
   • James 4:17 "Remeber, too, that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin."
6. Challenge matches to determine the actual competition team will occur during the beginning of the season, and when the coaches feel a lower ranking player or team has improved to the point that the challenge may be successful. The coaches will try to find competition for as many team members as possible, remembering that winning every match we can is our priority.
   • Phil. 3:14 "I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us."

Members of Bethel's tennis program agree to live out this commitment to the best of their ability.