Fall, 2006

At the beginning of each season, one of my tasks is to meet with each team and go over NCAA rules and regulations that apply to student-athletes in Division III.  We review policies on drug testing and financial aid, standards for eligibility and satisfactory academic progress, and other things that the NCAA feels that the students ought to know.

Having coached for 20 years, I enjoy having a team in front of me, even though going through these rules is not the most exciting thing they will do during that week.  The speech is somewhat the same every year, with little tweaks when rules change.  It is something that the student-athletes, with all kindness to me, endure for an hour or so each year.

The last ten minutes of each session I take the liberty of getting away from the NCAA Manual and talk about what it is that they are really doing by participating in athletics in Division III.  This is the part I really enjoy because I am more convinced as time goes on, that there is something very positive to be gained by playing.

One of the greatest lessons that we should learn in athletics is that of “Excellence.”  Excellence is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing.  Student-athletes must demand excellence from themselves in the competitive arena as well as the classroom.  What I add to this is that they should also be excellent in the dorm, and in their relationships with other students, friends and family.  The fishbowl effect of athletics provides a lot of opportunity to show excellence in both athletic and social skills.  The true sportsman values his/her opposition as highly as teammates.

It is gratifying in my position to see the excellence that our student-athletes achieve in these matters.  At Gordon College, our athletes achieve a higher grade point average than the general student body, and are leaders in many areas of campus life.  It is a privilege and honor to work with them at this crucial juncture of their lives.

The most important area of excellence, however, makes all other areas pale by comparison.  The chance to play for a college that represents Jesus Christ makes excellence imperative.  Our athletic endeavor creates a place of worship for us, as art, music, or writing may for others.  By giving our efforts to God, we can have that most excellent outcome of all, an excellent relationship with Him.  It is important that we as coaches and administrators keep that “extra” dimension of athletic experience at Gordon College in front of us. 

Through excellence we can achieve the goals of our department’s mission statement and produce servant-leaders for the future.  It is our calling and our duty.   

Joe Hakes

Athletic Director