Philosophy & Purpose of Cairn Athletics:
Cairn’s athletic program aims to provide intercollegiate athletic competition that lives out the mission of the University to educate students to serve Christ in the church, society and the world as biblically minded, well-educated and professionally competent men and women of character. Cairn intercollegiate athletics will be conducted in such a way as to facilitate excellence in the field of play, foster positive character development and high standards of personal honor, sportsmanship, and fair play. Student-athletes shall be challenged to both compete and live their lives in a manner which reflects a high level of excellence and a relationship with Christ and to excel in the classroom. As Cairn Highlanders we “Walk a Different Path”.
Cairn fully endorses the values and accomplishments that are gained as individuals and teams train and compete together in sports. Athletic competition creates challenges and obstacles that can result in great heights and lows. Team sports produce a daily learning environment to live out the Christian life together with great intentionality. We play to learn, we learn to compete, and we compete to win. However, the win and the accomplishments only have value if they reflect our commitment to God and a life yielded to Him. Cairn University is a Christ-centered and biblically based institution and will conduct our athletic programs in accordance with those beliefs and convictions. (
Link the University Foundational Statements) The staff and coaches in athletics are Christ followers and recognize that they are to teach Christlike character in the midst of highly competitive and sometimes physically challenging sporting events.
Cairn believes and teaches the biblically based truth that God created humanity as two immutable and distinct biological sexes, male and female, which reflect the image and nature of God. The God ordained distinctions in the sexes reflects physical differences and strengths. Cairn athletics will place our student-athletes in competition where the health, safety and fairness of the game can be maintained by our teams being composed of members of the same biological sex and therefore will not knowingly place our teams in competitions that would be unfair or dangerous.
Aim of Cairn Intercollegiate Athletics:
Athletics at Cairn University exists to honor God by developing men and women who follow Christ, develop as leaders, and pursue excellence.
Student-Athlete Outcomes of Cairn Intercollegiate Athletics:
Student-athletes will be:
· intentionally discipled for personal spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18)
· challenged to use their gifts and abilities in the classroom to reach their full academic potential (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
· coached in an environment where they are challenged to maximize their individual ability while achieving the highest level of team success (1 Corinthians 9:24)
· educated to use the platform of sports to glorify God as they cultivate their leadership skills (John 3:30)
· led to “Walk a Different Path” in which character and sportsmanship is a manifestation of their faith ( Ephesians 4:1)
Motto of Cairn Athletics:
Following Christ. Developing Leaders. Pursuing Excellence
Additional Objectives:
- To teach biblical perspectives through the medium of athletic competition.
- To establish, promote and monitor an ethical code of sportsmanship and fair play throughout the athletic experience.
- To maintain the value and integrity of intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the academic mission.
- To provide appropriate concern and care for the health and welfare of participating student-athletes.
- To provide an athletic program which reflects the principles of amateurism as dictated by the NCAA.
- To encourage the development of leadership skills through athletic training and competition.
- To provide practical settings within which individuals can work together cooperatively to attain team goals.
- To provide appropriate additional or alternative ministry opportunities for student-athletes.
- To promote teaching and coaching opportunities for student-athletes.
- To assist in the recruitment of students to the University.
- To maintain affiliations at the local, regional and national level, with organizations whose purposes and objectives are consistent with that of the University and its athletic program.
- To conduct the athletic program in full compliance with the policies and procedures of the NCAA Division III and United East.
- To increase the visibility and positive public image of the University to the broader community.
