Sports participation has become an integral part of most schools. Metro is no exception, participation in our athletic programs continue to grow each year. With this growth comes increasingly high expectations of both the athlete and the parent. Both desire a program that provides competitive success and a positive, inspiring experience for the athlete.

The challenge at Metro is unique in that we have three school levels within our facility (elementary, middle school, and high school). The objectives and goals of each are unique and equally important in terms of academic, athletic, and spiritual development. We have to balance our priorities as we strive for superior academic preparedness and field competitive athletic teams while also maintaining a family focus. All this is done while striving to meet the main goal of Christian Education -- bringing our students to a position of conformity to the image of God through Christ (Romans 8:28, 29).

All areas of education have an element of pressure; however, in athletics our reaction to pressure is much more easily observed and critiqued. The natural environment of competition is usually surrounded with emotional pressure. The intensity and passion in athletic events tests us as athletes, coaches, and parents; it is our behavior in this environment where our true character is revealed. Often we can look back on our actions during these events and recognize an emotional reaction that falls short of the behavior promoted in Metro’s motto: "The pursuit of excellence through Christ.” What does that mean? Simply put, it means we are human. Fortunately, the platform of athletic competition occurs often and is year round, readily giving us the opportunity to practice and work on character development.

Throughout the Bible, God directs and teaches us how to act and treat one another. He did not include a disclaimer excusing our actions and behaviors during athletic competition. I challenge you to examine yourself in this arena. How do you act and what is your belief? How do support your team, son or daughter? How do you treat the officials when a call is missed? Do your actions and attitude during athletic contests reflect your beliefs and values of walking each day in a spirit that brings honor and glory to God? Would our opponents question the word "Christian” in our school name following a contest? I think you get my point.

Please support our teams and our athlete’s by modeling the behavior you would expect from your sons and daughters. Cheer for our team and not against our opponents. Give some grace to the officials; they are going to occasionally miss penalty calls. Being a role model and living our school motto: "The pursuit of excellence through Christ” is one of our most important responsibilities. I hope you will join in supporting the family directive of the Metro Athletic Committee which is:

A reflection of our commitment to excellence, to our school, and our witness to the community, is through our athletes, parents and fans. By design, training, and expectation, the Metro athlete should have the following attributes:

• Be diligent in preparation
• Relentless in effort
• Disciplined by nature
• Respectful in actions
• Self controlled with words
• Humble in spirit
• Aggressive in the pursuit of excellence, without regard to the score, opponent, time or referee.

As Christian athletes display these characteristics, good things usually happen; teams are successful, players are motivated, fans are supportive and enthusiastic, parents are proud, prospective athletes want to participate, and very often non-believers are drawn to Christ.

God Bless,
Jay Hight
Athletic Director

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven. Matthew 5:16