The C.H.A.M.P.S. program is the backbone of the Sandlot Academy approach. We believe that providing our youth with the principles and training needed to develop into successful adults also gives them the tools needed to succeed in sports. We recognize that everyone has a different level of physical ability and natural talent. Each individual should be encouraged to develop that God given talent to the best of their ability.
It is within this framework that the Sandlot Academies will instruct, encourage, and reward its students. It is important to remind our youth that success is not measured merely by wins and losses but by total individual and team development; development in faith, development in character, development in sportsmanship, and development in skill level and confidence in your teammates.
The C.H.A.M.P.S. program starts within the doors of The Sandlot. Sandlot instructors are trained in the C.H.A.M.P.S. program and its teaching ideas. The program must also be applied outside our doors to be totally effective. We want to ensure, to the best of our ability, that parents, teachers, and other authoritative individuals in a young athlete's life also embrace and assert this philosophy. Positive feedback from parents, teachers, and others as to how the young athlete has exhibited C.H.A.M.P.S. behaviors at home, in school, at church, or in other places, will be be used to reward the athlete. These rewards are specific to an individual athlete based on motivational needs and desires. For example, rewards might be in the form of free additional practice time in the tunnels, equipment, t-shirts, apparel or other trinkets that are known to motivate the athlete.
It is our goal that C.H.A.M.P.S. becomes a part of each student athlete's character ("make-up"). "Make-up" is the single most important character trait that propels the young adult/athlete to success in their chosen path of life. Properly applied C.H.A.M.P.S. training will strengthen an athlete's "make-up". As a result, it will improve that individual chances to be succesful in any path they choose.
C.H.A.M.P.S.
Coachable - The ability to be open to instruction and to take lessons and apply the principles gained from a coach, teacher, parent, or other individual of authority and apply those principles to your application.
Honor - Honesty and integrity in one's beliefs and actions. A source of credit or distinction.
Attitude - Manner, disposition, feeling, tendency, or orientation in regard to a state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus or situation.
Mentor - One who serves another as a wise and trusted guide and advisor.
Perserverance / Pride - Steady persistence in a course of action. Activity maintained in spite of difficulty. / Pleasure or satisfaction taken from an individual accomplishment.
Sportsmanship - Fair and reasonable behavior while participating in a sport; observence of the rules of fair play, respect for others, graciousness in losing.
