2011 Senior Captains
Mount Vernon Christian Boys’ Varsity Soccer players must work hard and compete (industriousness) with joy (enthusiasm) to show how much they respect (loyalty), love (camaraderie) and care for (cooperate) those around them.
The Mount Vernon Christian Boys’ Varsity Soccer program has a tradition of knowing the importance of and the value of hard work. This value for industriousness, coupled with an enthusiasm for it, is passed down from class to class. It is an honor and a privilege to be a Hurricane soccer player and team members earn that right every single day through a commitment to working hard for themselves, their teammates, the program and God. This commitment to hard work and excellence in all areas of their lives is a constant renewal process which finds basis in Scripture. Without our focus on delighting in the difficult tasks we must face, we will not be successful.
The Mount Vernon Christian Boys’ Varsity Soccer program is strongly oriented on the team. Our players are called upon to be loyal, to cooperate and to be friends and brothers with each other. Yet even though we are a team, we are made up of individuals. We expect each individual to perform at the highest level in every situation they encounter. There will be situations when a player is unable to perform in a drill, match, classroom or life situation at the appropriate level. When that occurs, it is expected that a teammate will come along side and carry that individual. The supporting individuals will not take pride in their action or support, but with humility will recognize and value that at one point in the near future they may be in a similar spot of weakness and will need to be carried by the very individuals they are now carrying themselves. The dialogue that needs to be heard sounds like this: “I cannot do it anymore!” followed by “You might not be able to now, but I can, and I will get you through this!”
Every Mount Vernon Christian Boys’ Varsity Soccer player needs to have an inflamed heart of passion for the sport they are playing, the teammates they compete with, the school and God they represent and for achieving the results they desire. It is said that strong hearts have no understanding of systems, shapes, or tactics on the playing field. The heart of a champion, of the successful Christian athlete, is the indefatigable spirit that “grinds” away with steel resolve and blue-collar determination until a difference is made and the heart can rest in the comfort of knowing that the task at hand was done well.
Ultimately, every Mount Vernon Christian Boys’ Varsity Soccer player needs to understand the importance of responsibility in every aspect of their life. When young men are faced with challenges, whether on the field, in the classroom, in life, or in relationships, the statement “It will happen, things will change, I just need to weather the storm” is heard.
With is attitude, the young men have the responsibility for the situation out of their hands. Instead of adopting an attitude of passiveness, our players need to adopt an attitude that does not say “It will happen,” but screams “I will make this happen!”
In each and every situation or challenge faced, the Mount Vernon Christian Boys’ Varsity Soccer player needs to be the margin of victory or change. Only they can be responsible for the success or failure in a match. Only they can be responsible for passing or failing a course. Only they can be responsible for seeing their relationship with Jesus Christ grow. Only they can be responsible for nurturing or losing appropriate relationships.
With God truly directing their steps, Mount Vernon Christian Boys’ Varsity Soccer players must recognize that their God is in control but that He has given them control here and now, and that with that control, the appropriate handling of great responsibility is expected.
