SAS Athletic Philosophy

Varsity Teams

The primary objective of a varsity team is to test its skills in competition and to compete at the highest level. Therefore, coaches use what they consider to be their best players to achieve this objective. All coaches strive to reward varsity athletes with the opportunity to play, but this opportunity is not assumed or taken for granted.

Junior Varsity

Junior Varsity teams concentrate on developing skills and improving overall athletic ability. Coaches allow all junior varsity athletes to participate in junior varsity contests unless there are disciplinary or physical impediments to participation.

Middle School

The objective of Middle School athletics is to develop skills in order to prepare students for appropriate competition at the Middle School level and, if they have the desire and ability, to compete at the varsity level. Games are scheduled in competitive leagues but there is less emphasis on competition. All Middle School athletes participate in athletic contests during the regular season. Although this may not mean equal playing time, SAS is dedicated to providing Middle School athletes with opportunities to further their development in practice so they can improve their performance during competitive situations. During tournament play, the emphasis may shift to a more competitive approach.

Middle school students play only on Middle School teams. An eighth grader may start for the varsity team if the exception is initiated by the varsity coach and approved by the Athletics Director, the parents, the Middle School coach and the Director of the Middle School.

Athlete-Coach-Parent Relationships

Students involved in athletics experience some of the most rewarding and challenging moments of their lives. Positive coach-athlete relationships allow our athletes to revel in their successes and learn from their disappointments. At SAS, coaches strive to communicate clear expectations for team membership to both athletes and parents. Coaches make decisions based on what they believe is best for the team and all athletes involved. Above all, SAS believes in the importance of mutual respect between coaches and athletes and the support of parents in this important relationship. All of our coaches, athletes and parents sign our Athletics Covenant which reinforces this.

Sportsmanship and Fair Play

St. Andrew’s-Sewanee conducts its athletics program with utmost integrity and will follow the rules of TSSAA. The practice of good sportsmanship and fair play applies not only to athletics, but also to the way all members of the SAS athletics community conduct their lives.