Athletic Department Mission Statement

"It is the mission of the Houghton University Athletics Department to glorify God by educating and developing men and women leaders who compete with excellence, lead by character, and exemplify Jesus Christ in our world."

Components of our Mission Statement

Glorifying God – Our Athletics Department believes that Christians are called to do everything in a manner that brings glory to God.  We aspire to accomplish this purpose by nurturing our student athletes toward maturity in their Christian faith and by focusing on the following three areas: 

• Competing with Excellence - Excellence can be defined as "exalted merit or superiority in virtue."  Our Department of Athletics embraces the dual nature embodied in this definition of excellence: achievement and conduct.  Houghton athletics challenges our student-athletes to use their God-given abilities to achieve success at the highest levels of athletic competition (exalted merit) while simultaneously conducting themselves with the utmost integrity for the glory of God (superiority in virtue).
• Leading by Character - Our Athletics Department believes that certain characteristics are critical to athletic success.  These include teamwork, sacrifice, humility, perseverance, discipline, responsibility and service.  We believe that these characteristics are also necessary components of effective leaders.  Through athletic competition and participation in team sports, the Houghton athletics staff will challenge our student athletes to develop these characteristics and demonstrate them as engaged contributors in the Houghton community and the world.
• Exemplifying Jesus Christ - Houghton athletics strives to teach student-athletes to conform their conduct at all times to the life and example of Jesus Christ.  The staff of the Houghton Athletic Department is expected to live, act and speak in a manner that emulates Jesus Christ's life of selfless service and demonstrates his redemptive love.  The staff will provide opportunities for student-athletes to follow Christ's example by ministering to people both locally and around the world, using sports as a platform.

Ancillary Goals of the Houghton University Athletic Department

• To use our visibility as athletes to effectively represent Jesus Christ to those we play in front of, with and against.
• To support and augment the overall Mission of Houghton University.
• To enhance our students' educational process by integrating intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and recreation with our academically rigorous curriculum. 
• To offer opportunities in inter-collegiate and intramural athletics and in recreation that stimulate intellectual, social and spiritual growth and enhance physical health in our students.
• To enrich the Houghton experience for participant athletes and spectators alike by promoting collaboration among the general student body, faculty, staff, alumni and the surrounding community.
• To recruit, develop and retain the highest quality coaching, administrative and support staff whose actions at all times conform to the Mission of Houghton University and its Athletic Department.
• To advocate for the development and maintenance of high quality athletic and recreational facilities that adequately meet the needs of the entire university community.
• To enhance student recruitment and retention by being a perennial, multi-sport championship contender that is attractive to our geographically competitive conference and beyond.
• To increase the level of support within our geographic region as a result of providing a highly competitive, highly successful, quality athletic department.

 
Motto:
 "Excellence for the Glory of God"