PHILOSOPHY

The role of the Intercollegiate Athletics program at Delta College is to contribute significantly to the overall college experience of campus community members. Integrity, values and standards, while conducting intercollegiate athletics, must be the cornerstone in the day-to-day operations of the program. In our attempt to provide a quality, competitive program, the athletics department will at all times adhere to the rules and regulations of the College, NJCAA and the MCCAA. Intercollgiate athletics has the opportunity to command extrordinary visibility and identification for the College, but must achieve these ends consistent with the educational philosophy of the institution. Athletics as an educational component provides unique opportunities in a practical setting to learn and develop physical, social and emotional skills.

MISSION

It is the mission of the Intercollegiate Athletics Department to provide our student-athletes with excellent opportunities to participate in an intercollegiate athletics experience of the highest quality, with the result that their involvement becomes an integral and valued part of their total educational experience at the College. The academic pursuits of the student-athlete, beginning with the recruiting process through the fulfillment of graduation requirements, must be given the highest priority in concert with the mission of the college.

In achieving this mission, the Intercollegiate Athletics Department will embrace the following guiding principles:

• To follow the "5" Key Values of our Athletic Department; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership.
• To develop and maintain a highly competitive and sound athletic program that annually competes for conference, state, regional and national championships.
• To promote character development, leadership qualities, sportsmanship and academic excellence in our student-athletes.
• To employ coaches and staff who exhibit standards of professional integrity and ethical behavior, including good sportsmanship and a desire to assist student-athletes in reaching their academic potential.
• To promote recruitment of quality student-athletes who graduate at an equal to or higher rate than the College's general student popluation.
• To provide academic support and student development opportunities that will effectively assist student-athletes to reach their potential.
• To comply carefully with institutional, conference, regional and national regulations and guidelines.
• To ensure ethnic and gender diversity among it's coaches, staff and student-athletes consistent with the College's educational mission.
• To provide safe and quality facilities and equipment for all varsity sports.