Mission
To create value for each individual player, within a team concept, while developing her understanding of preparation, serving others, strength in character, self-confidence, and glorifying God in all that we do. Philosophy “Play Hard, Play Smart and Play Together”
As an athlete representing Totino-Grace High School, the athletes and coaching staff in this program will be pushed to hold themselves to the highest caliber. Developing the traits below will serve as a base foundation for the program’s ultimate success.
Vision:
To be a championship program of disciples of Jesus Christ, that is a model for all other high school girls’ basketball programs in the state of Minnesota through our performance on the court, in the classroom, and through our relationships in the community.
Servant Leadership:
The most powerful motivational leader is the person who practices what is called “servant leadership” The player who sees herself as a servant to her teammates, and who does everything possible to help them perform at their best practicing the highest form of servant leadership, just like our Lord.
Servant leadership works when leaders truly believe and act upon a desire to make their teammates successful. This occurs when players lead by example and treat teammates as equal partners. The trust that results from this leadership encourages her teammates to grow as servant leaders themselves, which in turn will cultivate a championship culture in our program.
“The amount of success you are capable of enjoying and the pleasure you are capable of feeling, is only equal to the number of people you are willing to share it with” - Coach Pat Summit
Work-Ethic:
Maintaining a strong work-ethic is another attribute that all players in the program need to possess in order to reach our ultimate goal of success. Similar to an enthusiastic attitude, work ethic has nothing to do with a player’s skill-set. Intensity and hard work will be asked of all players and staff each time we step foot on the court or the weight room. Our effort will never be questioned! Knowing the value of a strong work ethic will help all of us be successful beyond basketball.
“Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win” - Bobby Knight
Self-Confidence:
Today’s society is extremely competitive. Now more than ever, it is important for young women to grow into confident individuals who face challenges and adversities with pride and grace. True competitors realize the push for greatness and through these obstacles grows self-confidence in ourselves and our teammates. The best way to develop confidence in everything you do is to prepare yourself to exceed your own expectations - that is through your development as a player, athlete, student, teammate, daughter, etc.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” - Proverbs 4:13
Perseverance:
Our season will be full of challenges, and our life’s journey beyond the basketball court will be full of adversity. When we continue to give our utmost effort despite our circumstances, that is perseverance. It is not easy, but by implementing all other traits listed above as well as persevering, we are able to overcome. Being committed to a cause and having the strength to persevere in the end is a key to our ultimate success.
“Get a little bit better every day, and you’ve got something good going on” - Coach Don Meyer
Enthusiastic Attitude:
Displaying an enthusiastic attitude is displaying a positive attitude; however, enthusiasm takes positivity one step further. The joy we get from surrounding ourselves with teammates we love while playing a game we love while serving the God we love should radiate in everything we do. The enthusiastic attitude we display every day is a choice - a choice that entirely depends on each one of us individually and has nothing to do with basketball knowledge or skill level. The best part of displaying an enthusiastic attitude is that it is contagious to those around us.
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity.” - Og Mandino
The number of days an athlete has as a competitor is much fewer than the number of days an athlete has on this earth. We are not called to be great basketball players; however, we are called to use the opportunities that competition allows us to grow as individuals in the game and life itself. When we embrace and practice these traits individually, our program will be truly successful.
