Lightning Athletics

12/12/2008 10:12 AM

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Evangel Christian School Athletic History

Newspaper Article, Shelby County Reporter    

The Evangel Christian School Lightning, in its inaugural year (2004-2005), fielded varsity and junior high interscholastic athletic teams in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball. 

The Evangel Christian School Lightning football team competed as an independent, and ended its inaugural season by capturing the Division II national championship at the National Association of Christian Athletes playoffs in Dayton, Tennessee.

The Lightning basketball, baseball and softball teams were accepted into the Central Alabama Christian Conference (CACC) with the Varsity Basketball Teams (Boys and Girls) each securing the CACC Tournament Championship, and Baseball and Softball each placing 3rd in the CACC Tourney.

In its second year (2005-2006), Evangel Christian School continues to field successful teams in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball, along with a club sport being offered in tennis.

Under the direction of Athletic Director/Head Coach, Steve Dean, the Evangel Christian School Lightning football team, participating as a member of newly founded Tennessee Valley Football Conference, placed 3rd in the TVFC while also placing 3rd in the NACA Division I 8-Man Football Tournament.

Continuing to compete as a member of the Central Alabama Christian Conference (CACC), the Varsity Basketball Teams saw their Boys Team finish as Runner-Up in the Conference Tournament, while its Girls Team secured its second consecutive Conference Tournament Championship, while it finished as Regular Season Co-Champion. Both Junior Varsity Teams had strong seasons, with the boys finishing with the best record of the four teams, and the girls finishing with an undefeated conference record.

The 2006 Lightning Varsity Baseball Team improved on its success, securing its first Conference Championship, while placing 3 players on the All-Conference Team with another, freshman Micah Mularski, taking the CACC Tournament MVP.

In 2006-2007, the Lightning Varsity Football Team finished as the TVFC Southern Region Champion. Also, both Lightning Varsity and JV Boys Basketball Teams were I.C.S.G.A West Region Champions.

History of Conference Involvement

During its first two years (2004-2006), Evangel Christian School participated in the Central Alabama Christian Conference for basketball, baseball, and softball. Being invited into CACC membership in its first year (2004-2005) was an honor that Evangel Christian School didn’t take lightly. Since most schools in the CACC had not yet established football programs, Evangel Christian School played its first season (2004) as an independent, and in its second football season (2005) in the TVFC (Tennessee Valley Football Conference, The Athletic Department of Evangel Christian School had hoped through its involvement in the CACC to continue to grow and develop football in that conference, but since this became increasingly unrealistic, in its second year (2005-2006), Evangel Christian School helped form and participated in the aforementioned TVFC (Tennessee Valley Football Conference), which it was instrumental, under the leadership of Athletic Director, Steve Dean, to form with other schools in Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. in football. In the May of 2006, due to attrition of other CACC member schools, Evangel Christian School prayerfully considered, pursued and accepted the opportunity to compete in a larger, more comprehensive, and well-established (1993) association, the I.C.S.G.A (Independent Christian Schools of Georgia and Alabama Athletic Association). The I.C.S.G.A is philosophically aligned with Evangel Christian School, in its attempt to glorify God through athletic competition, and Evangel Christian School looks forward to participating as an I.C.S.G.A member beginning in 2006-2007. While the I.C.S.G.A requires all its members to participate in its Association in every sport in which the member school fields a particular team, the I.C.S.G.A Executive Committee, graciously allowed Evangel Christian School to honor its previous commitment to the TVFC for football in the 2006 football season.

 

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Click Here for Previous Evangel Christian School Lightning Athletic Schedules, Records and Statistics

Athletic Committee: Del Clayton, Steve Dean, Robert Goodner, Stewart Motes, Howard O'Neal, and Danny Scott

Evangel Christian School began its athletic program under founding Athletic Director Steve Dean, a HomeSchooling father who, until 2005 also served as the Lightning Head Football Coach. Coach Dean is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he played football for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, earned the first-ever "Dixie Howell Memorial Award" as the outstanding player in the 1971 A-Day game, and was a member of the 1973 national championship team.

Coach Dean led the first-year Lightning to the NACA Division II championship in their inaugural season. He coached previously at Hope Christian School in Pelham, where he also led his 2001 team to the NACA championship and was named NACA National Coach of the Year. He has also served as the soccer coach and Athletic Director of Shades Mountain Christian School in Hoover.

“For my family, home schooling has been a great blessing and one of the wisest choices that my wife and I have ever made.  In the early days of home schooling, the lack of athletics was a real problem and one that really concerned me as a former college football player who believed that athletics can be one of the best ways to connect to teenage boys and a way to build discipline, work ethic and so many of the virtues that Christian parents deem important. It has come a long way and now is offered in a lot of home school programs. When we formed Evangel a couple of years ago, we wanted athletics to be an essential part of our program and we wanted it to be done as excellent as it could be done in the venue that we could offer it. We have accomplished that goal in that we have been more than competitive in football, basketball and baseball. In football, we have been fortunate enough to be one of the top 8-man programs in the Southeast, not only among home school programs but among Christian schools in general... The Evangel Christian School baseball program has been competitive and has a promising future as we have many returning varsity starters and we enter into a new conference (I.C.S.G.A) next year that will give us a full and competitive schedule… (I) am very proud of not only what we have accomplished in the first 2 years of Evangel but, more importantly in the way that we have impacted our athletes and their families. God has been faithful to raise up excellent coaches who not only know what they are doing on the field but love our student athletes and make our athletic teams fun and encouraging.  I feel that we are right where we envisioned being as a school and athletic program. If I was not a part of Evangel but was interested in home schooling and having my children involved in a Christ-centered and competitive athletic program, Evangel would be my choice hands down.” -Coach Dean, 6/20/2006

FOX6 Sports Profile: Steve Dean

2007 marked a leadership change in our Athletic Directorship. After over three years serving as our founding Athletic Director, Steve Dean felt the Lord calling him to step down from that position, a decision that our Board accepted, though reluctantly. After much prayer, discussion, and deliberation, however, we are now blessed to be served in that capacity by founding Board Member, Ken Letson. Ken brings a renewed vision, wisdom and gifts to the position of Athletic Director.

Athletics at an excellent level is one of the distinctive visions of ECS. One of the things that we learned through Coach Dean's tenure, is that in order for us to take athletics to the next level, a single Athletic Director, as a volunteer position, is not a job that one man can do alone.

Therefore, 2007 also gave us the opportunity to introduce a new office, that of Associate Athletic Director, which was capably held by Mike Watford, whom God has uniquely equipped and empowered to be able to handle all of the day-to-day administrative tasks of conference and financial compliance, along with relationship and program development. The two of these men serving together in their respective capacities  maintained and accentuated the tradition of excellence begun under Coach Dean’s leadership at Evangel Christian School.

In late 2007, to further expand the breadth and depth of the ECS Athletics Program, an Athletic Committee was formed comprised of Steve Dean, Stewart Motes, and Danny Scott. Soon thereafter, in order to further expand the scope and breadth of the program, Del Clayton and Robert Goodner gratefully agreed to contribute their many talents, gifts, and hours of service and rounded out the committee. With the addition of all these able men, Ken Letson was able to lessen his workload and serve as an additional member of this dedicated six-person committee.

July of 2008 brought about the blessing of having Robert Goodner volunteer to serve as ECS Athletic Director. Aided by a committee comprised of expert and innovative leadership, and contributing strong and diverse talents and insights, the ECS Athletic Program is now poised to carry on its traditions while continuing to look forward to new opportunities for the future.

Evangel Christian School Lightning Athletics

• Purpose

The purpose of the Evangel Christian School Athletic Program is to provide a challenging and enjoyable sports environment for our students that is distinctively Christian, and that will point them and those who observe them to Christ. It is our hope that striving to please and enjoy God in athletics will be a blessing to our student athletes and their families and will have eternal significance on their lives and the lives of those they in which come into contact.

"Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." -I Corinthians 9:24-25

• Organizational Structure

The program will be organized by and under the authority of Evangel Christian School and their Board. The directors of the athletic program will consist of:

• A Head Coach for each sport

• An Athletic Director

• A School Administrator

• The Evangel Christian School Board

Head Coaches will be staffed by volunteers who are chosen by the Athletic Director and approved by the Evangel Christian School Board. The Evangel Christian School Board may designate a Sports Oversight Committee to advise and review all athletic policies and decisions. This Sports Oversight Committee would be made up of the school administrator and 2 to 3 members of the Evangel Christian School Board.

The Athletic Director will be a member (parent) of Evangel Christian School and provide the primary interface between sports activities and any league of teams and/or schools that we compete against. The Athletic Director's responsibility will also include various administrative matters.

The Head Coach assumes responsibility for organizing the team, working with the Athletic Director in selecting and maintaining facilities, and will be responsible for all training and coaching related activities in support of a specified sport activity. He/she will be responsible to oversee player conduct and provide for player discipline as required.

Evangel Christian School, through its Board and Athletic Director will confirm that each sport complies with Evangel Christian School standards of excellence and conduct, approve the selection of various sport specific positions, and provide for disciplinary action as required.

Each sports team under this program will be segregated by gender (e.g. boys' baseball team, girls' softball team, etc.). Each team will compete within an approved conference or will play an independent, non-conference schedule as approved by the Athletic Director and School Board.

• Support and Funding

The Evangel Christian School Athletic Program will be financially self-supporting if possible and will not operate out of normal school tuition fees and operating budget. Each specific team will charge individual participation fees and may engage in additional fund raising activities in order to meet the operating expenses of that team.

In keeping with our vision to constantly our athletic program offerings, and to provide facilities to do so, and in order to maintain the ever-expanding costs of a growing program, your generous contributions are always appreciated. Any donations are greatly appreciated and are 100% tax-deductible. Donations may be sent directly to Evangel Christian School at PO Box 1670, Alabaster, AL 35007. Please indicate Athletic Program on your check. Thank you for considering Evangel Christian School with your charitable giving.

• Conference Associations

In order to facilitate a more structured organization with available competition, it is desirable to be associated with a league or conference of similar schools or athletic organizations. To support the stated purpose, it is important that such a league be Christ­-centered. The Evangel Christian School Board and Athletic Director will pursue such association as long as it benefits the players, families, and school. Any association of this program or its teams with a State or Government-Sponsored Athletic Association will be closely examined by the Evangel Christian School Staff and School Board to ensure that no inappropriate entanglement results.

Teams under this program may periodically compete with other teams that do not specifically have a Christian purpose. The Evangel Christian School Staff will pursue such competition with discretion, and with a desire to show Christ to those who do not know Him.

The Athletic Staff, as approved by the Athletic Director and School Board, may pursue funding through sponsors, which may involve advertisements on team facilities or printed programs or other visibility. Such relationships will only be with organizations that do not detract from Christian ideology or conduct.

After participating in the CACC (Central Alabama Christian Conference) in its first two years, beginning in 2006-2007, Evangel Christian School is blessed to be able participate in the I.C.S.G.A (Independent Christian Schools of Georgia and Alabama Athletic Association) in basketball, baseball, softball, and other sports, while continuing for 2006-2007 to participate in the TVFC (Tennessee Valley Football Conference) in football. Click here for a more detailed history of conference involvement.

• Player Eligibility

Participating athletes will be students of Evangel Christian School or Evangel Classical Christian School of an appropriate age for the specific team or league. The following eligibility guidelines will apply:

• The student must be regularly enrolled in Evangel Christian School or Evangel Classical Christian School and must not have graduated before September of the current academic year

• The student's family (represented by at least one parent) must agree to the Evangel Christian School Family Covenant and Statement of Faith, and must agree with the Purpose of this program and subscribe to its Code Of Conduct.

• At least one parent and the student athlete must sign a Parent/Player Contract and/or a Participation Form for each sport in which they will participate and  must validate the above guideline pertaining to Statement of Faith and Conduct Agreement.

  For Junior High team participation,

  • a student must be in grades 6 through 9 and

  • must be at least 12 years of age and

  • cannot turn 16 on or before September 1 of their 9th grade year.

    Exceptions to this can be made upon agreement between Evangel Christian School coaches (with approval of Athletic Director) and the coaches and schools of the opposing team on a game-by-game basis. 

  For Varsity team participation,

  • a student must be in grade 9 through 12 and

  • be at least 15 years of age and

  • cannot turn 19 on or before September of the current year

    A student who is younger than 15 and is in grade 7, 8, or 9 may be considered for varsity team membership if they are deemed physically qualified as agreed upon by the player's family, the coaching staff, and the Athletic Director and if this does not violate any specific rule by the conference of which we are a member.

   

• All student athletes must be in satisfactory academic standing and passing all subjects as determined by the teaching parent or cooperative instructor.

• All student athletes will be required to take the SAT test every year that they participate in any sport.

This program is intended to enhance education and not detract from it. Parents have ultimate responsibility for their children's education. Any parent who believes that this program's activities detract from their child's academic performance is encouraged to discuss the particular issues with the Evangel Christian School Staff or School Board members.

• Player Selection and Playing Time

  • The Coaching Staff for each individual sport will determine player selection for that team. A tryout may be required to assess player talent and select an appropriate team for each sport.

  • Each player is required to attend all practice sessions unless circumstances prevent attendance. In these cases, the player is expected to communicate the reason for his absence to the Coaching Staff. A player who does not regularly attend practices should be allowed little or no playing time in games unless there is a shortage of players or an injury situation that may require that such a player be allowed to play.

  • Coaches will make an effort to allow every player on the team to get some playing time but there are no minimum playing time requirements. Player substitution is at the discretion of the Coaching Staff.

• Behavior and Discipline

Family Code of Conduct

Certain behavior detracts from the honor we owe God, and the spiritual develo:00ent of each team and participant. Each player and his/her family members will submit to the following code of conduct:

• I will conduct myself in a Christ-like manner and will abstain from inappropriate behavior while representing my team and my school in any sports related function, including travel to and from events.

• I will submit to the authority of the coaches, Athletic Director, School Administrators, and the Evangel Christian School Board in all matters pertaining to athletics.

• As a witness for Christ and as an example to others, I will work to promote unity among team members by being an ambassador for Christ, reaching out to those who have needs and treating all team members with respect.

• I will demonstrate personal integrity by obeying all game and Evangel Christian School rules at all times.

• I will view my membership on any athletic teams of Evangel Christian School as an opportunity to grow close to God, and share the love of Christ with others such as teammates, members of opposing teams, officials, and fans.

Coaches and Adult Leader Code of Conduct

 All Coaches and adult leaders are expected to abide by the following code of conduct:

• I will model accountability to all players by remaining active in my local church.

• I will subject myself to the authorities that God has placed in my life, including my church, the Evangel Christian School Board and Administration, game officials, etc.

• As a witness for Christ and as an example to youth while serving as a Coach (Leader), I will exhibit conduct that provides an example of excellence.

• I will demonstrate personal integrity by obeying Evangel Christian School Rules And Policies at all times.

• I will treat players and other adult leaders with respect and expect the same in return.

• I will help build team spirit by encouraging every player, including those whose abilities may not be as great as others.

• I will exhibit Christ-like behavior and expect it from others in their conversation, in their treatment of each other, and in their actions at sports events.

• I will help protect the safety of the players at all times and provide appropriate supervision of players while traveling to and from each game.

Departure from this code of conduct will be addressed according to our Lord's guidance in Matthew 18:15-17 and may result in disciplinary action such as game suspension or dismissal from the team and program. Each Coach is responsible for communicating these rules and expectations to each participating family and for requiring written agreement from each family as part of player registration. More specific disciplinary guidelines follow.

Discipline of a Player or Family Member

Any issue that may call for the discipline of a player or family member will be handled at the discretion of the Coach or delegated team leader. Issues of significance will result in consultation with the player's parents. If inappropriate behavior continues, disciplinary action may include suspension or expelling the player from the team. If a player or parent wishes to question the disciplinary action they should first meet with the Coach. If the issue cannot be resolved in consultation with the Coach, the family should then approach the Athletic Director. If issues cannot be resolved at this level, then a meeting with the Evangel Christian School Board and all parties concerned will be arranged.

Discipline of a Coach or other adult leader: Any issue that may call for discipline of a Coach will be handled on a case-by-case basis using Biblical guidelines and with Christian love. This action, if required, will be initiated by the Athletic Director and require concurrence by the Evangel Christian School Administrator and Board.

• Criteria for Athletic Coaches

Evangel Christian School desires for the student athletes in the school to receive the best possible instruction in the sport of their choice while maintaining a truly Christian distinctive. This requires a determined and structured effort to balance the pursuit of excellence on the field with a pursuit of godly virtues and Christian character. With this in mind, it is essential that the coaches who are chosen to lead our young men and women are skilled teachers of their particular sport and excellent Christian role models with a passion to help their players grow in their faith.

Coaches are expected to meet the following criteria in order to be selected and retained as Head Coaches for any sport in which Evangel Christian School participates:

• The coach consistently provides a role model for Christian devotion and Christian sportsmanship.

• The coach agrees to all of Evangel Christian School admission Requirements and Policy Guidelines.

• The coach has a reputation as a good spiritual leader in his/her own household.

• The coach has good technical and organizational skills of the sport he/she coaches.

• The coach agrees to consistently seek additional coaching knowledge and skills in the sport he/she coaches. (Clinics, camps, one-on-one mentoring, etc.)

• The coach will agree to submit to a background check as specified by the Evangel Christian School Board.