Athletics Mission Statement

The Intercollegiate Athletic Department of Taylor University complements the institution in its mission of "educating men and women for lifelong learning and for ministering the redemptive love of Jesus Christ to a world in need."  The University recognizes and celebrates the lessons learned in and through athletics and acknowledges that participation in intercollegiate athletics is an integral part of the "whole-person" educational process at Taylor University.  The goal of the intercollegiate athletic program is to produce student athletes who excel in their academic endeavors as well as in their chosen athletic pursuits and who will establish careers that are a reflection of their commitment to serve Christ in a variety of vocations.

The Taylor University philosophy of athletics is framed within the following understandings:

1. The athletic department is staffed by those who articulate and evidence a life committed to Jesus Christ.  Further, they regard their profession, whether in or out of the classroom, as an opportunity to educate, mentor and model the core values of what it means to be a man or woman of God.  Commitment to Jesus Christ signifies a lifestyle and coaching style that calls for a standard of competitive excellence. (Col. 3:23)  It is intended that all coaches hold faculty rank and that all coaches function as educators.  
2. Taylor University has a rich heritage of utilizing athletics as a means of Christian outreach and service.  It is our intent to reaffirm, build upon and create opportunities for Christian witness and discipleship through a successful intercollegiate athletic program.
3. The intellectual, spiritual, emotional, physical and social well-being and development of our student athletes is paramount in our dealings with student athletes.  Athletic participation is a platform not only for complementing our liberal arts and general education program, but for assuring that the core values (Christ-centered, biblically-anchored, liberal arts grounded, whole person focused, vocationally equipping, world engaging and servant-leadership motivated) of the university are being developed.
4. A successful intercollegiate athletic program creates a strong sense of community spirit.  Athletics significantly contributes to a positive campus ethos and to constituent goodwill.  The university as a whole benefits by giving visibility to both the athletic programs and to the athletes involved in these programs.  We endeavor to make our programs an enduring source of pride for the university, participants, alumni and the greater Taylor community.
5. The development of student leadership has long been a hallmark of university objectives and the student affairs program.  The dynamics of intercollegiate competition, coupled with mentoring by Christian coaches, represents the potential for a rich environment of leadership development that is personalized and tested.