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Chapter IV Christian Virtue and Civic Responsibility

Robert Lawson

Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletics Administration, Concordia University Irvine

MCAA 530 Ethics and Sport

Prof. Mark A. Davis

January 19, 2025

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Abstract

Coaches and sports leaders are responsible for fulfilling their roles ethically and with integrity.

The Ten Christian Virtues and Civic Responsibilities for Coaches and Leaders of Sport in the

21st Century describe the characteristics of exemplary leaders in sport. Three of the most

important virtues are ethical, humble, and relentless. The first virtue, or responsibility, ethical

means coaches and leaders act according to moral principles and demonstrate integrity in

decision-making. The second virtue, or responsibility, humble, means coaches and leaders place

the growth and well-being of others above personal recognition or authority. The last virtue, or

responsibility, relentless, means coaches and leaders demonstrated perseverance, discipline, and

sustained commitment in the pursuit of excellence.

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Chapter IV

Christian Virtue and Civic Responsibility

Coaches and athletic administrators are leaders and models for good sportsmanship and

ethical behavior. They are responsible for upholding the codes of conduct, standards of behavior,

and integrity of all program members, from the coaches and support staff to the student-athletes.

For this reason, those who lead and set an example for others must clearly understand the virtues

and civic responsibilities they are to uphold. The Ten Christian Virtues and Civic

Responsibilities of Coaches and Administrators as Leaders of Sport in the 21st Century serve as a

guideline for the men and women who teach, coach, and lead (Appendix G). Ethical, humble,

and relentless are virtues and responsibilities essential for coaches and leaders today.

ETHICAL

The principles of ethical leadership are also central to coaching and administration in

athletics since they ensured trust, justice, and responsibility in the sport organizations. According

to Merriam-Webster (n.d.), ethical means “involving or expressing moral approval or

disapproval” (Def. 2). According to Maxwell (2005 pg2) “an ethical dilemma can be defined as

an undesirable or unpleasant choice relating to a moral principle or practice” In the context of

athletics, ethical behavior meant a consistent observance of moral standards, not because of the

competitions or the demands of the outside factors, or because of the interests of the athlete.

Ethical leadership demands that words and actions should be consistent, which strengthens

credibility and trust among the staff or athletes.

The use of ethical leadership in sports is manifested in the day-to-day treatment of

athletes fairly, performing in line with rules, and being accountable in judgment. Ethical coaches

observed model behavior in the sense that they respected officials, opponents, and governing

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bodies, and this emphasized the relevance of integrity in the competition arena. There were also

other aspects, such as playing time, discipline, and evaluations, which were managed fairly and

in a consistent manner through ethical leadership. The lesson taught to the athletes who were

exposed to ethical leadership was that character and integrity were not about winning and losing.

These lessons were followed into the future lives of athletes as future parents, employees, and

citizens, where honesty, trustworthiness, and moral judgment were crucial in establishing a good

relationship and professional reputation.

John Wooden, an American basketball coach, illustrated good example of ethical

leadership where the philosophy of coaching always relied on character rather than competition.

Wooden was a man of good morals and could not jeopardize principles to achieve success, even

when he was faced with a lot of pressure. His administration led to a culture of responsibility,

respect, and punishment, which motivated sportspeople with regard to living a life of integrity.

The loyalty to the moral ideals shown by Wooden influenced generations of players, as it

strengthened the message that the key to success was morality and not just the trophies.

According to Maxwell (2005), ethics is not a type of livelihood. It is a way of life". This quote

underscored that ethical conduct on the coaching front was not contingent on the circumstances

but a lifelong obligation, which informed all that was Leadership about.

HUMBLE

Coaches and athletic administrators had to have great humility since it promoted servant

leadership and accountability among their qualities, and respect towards others. According to

Merriam-Webster (n.d.), humble means “not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive” (Def.

1). Humility was not a sign of weakness in leadership, but, rather, a reminder that success was

attained by working together as a team, by learning, and by service. Leaders that were humbled

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one acknowledged the role other people played, embraced weaknesses and did not shut down to

development and feedback. The attitude contributed to credibility and enhanced a bond within

sports programs.

The practice of humility is shown every day throughout athletics when the coaches put in

more emphasis on teaching, mentorship, and development rather than their own recognition or

influence. Modest leaders pay attention to athletes, assistant coaches, and support staff, building

an environment in which people are appreciated and honored. This style of leadership motivated

sportsmen to be accountable for their behaviors and development. Sportsmen with modest

leadership were taught how to work in a team, be responsible, and sensitive. These attributes

equipped them with their future life as wives, mothers, workers, and members of the community,

whereby respect and good communication abilities had to be mutually required to succeed.

Tony Dungy, an American former professional football safety and coach, is an example of

humility as a leader in the way he remained calm, and his coaching philosophy was that of a

servant-leader. Dungy endeavored to uphold character, discipline, and teamwork throughout his

tenure as he always avoided self-praise and preferred to give players and staff credit in case of

success. His leadership approach was able to bring ethical morals of professionalism and respect,

which resulted in a culture of appreciation based on trust and not fear or power. The humility of

Dungy also made athletes appreciate some ideals like integrity and team building, which had a

tremendous impact on their lives both professionally and personally. Brown (2003) supported the

importance of humility in coaching by saying that, “A coach gives athletes credit and ownership

when things are done well” (Brown, 2003, p. 45). This quote solidified the notion that low-

profile leadership generated power that went way beyond athletics.

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RELENTLESS

The leadership was relentless in the sense that it used to lay stress on perseverance,

discipline, and endurance in the quest for excellence. Relentless has been defined by Merriam-

Webster (n.d.) as “showing or promising no abatement of severity, intensity, strength, or pace”

(Def. 1). In coaching and athletic administration, it was to be relentless, which implied the

modeled perseverance and persistence in terms of expectations. Hard-driving leaders showed the

dedication to preparation, responsibility, and constant improvement, so that athletes were not

interested in the short-term outcome, but rather long-term progress.

The relentless leadership is practiced daily through the daily use of consistent standards,

structured preparation, and disciplined routines. The hardworking coaches are ruthless in their

leadership, being focused and persistent, even when faced with tough situations. This strategy

proved to teach the athletes to be resilient and responsible. These lessons were not limited to

sport because the athletes were taught to face difficulties in their future as employees, parents,

and citizens. The culture of unremitting leadership instilled the mindset that one needed to work

hard, be flexible, and be devoted to anything he or she was involved with.

A golden example of never giving up leadership was demonstrated by Michael Jordan, an

American former professional basketball player, due to his commitment, hardworking nature,

and competitiveness. Jordan also sought excellence, and his demands were very high on himself

and his teammates. His preparations and training were ruthless and raised the performance in his

team, and affected other individuals to the same degree of commitment. The example of Jordan

as a leader was that through perseverance and determination, people can be motivated, and a

culture of excellence helps to live on the achievement of a single person.

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Conclusion

Coaches and athletic administrators are role models in good sportsmanship and ethics and

are expected to enforce codes of conduct, codes of behavior standards, and the integrity of all the

members of the program. Ethical, humble, and relentless leaders have exceled both in sports and

life. These virtues further informed the coaching behaviors every day and contributed to the

character building and the future portfolios of the athletes in society. Christian virtues enabled

athletic culture and equipped athletes to be leaders of integrity, discipline, and purpose long after

they stopped talking, long after they finished competing.

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References

Brown, B. (2003). Teaching character through sport: Developing a positive coaching legacy.

Coaches Choice.

Maxwell, J. C. (2005). Ethics 101: What every leader needs to know. Center Street.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). intelligent. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved on 12, 19,

2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intelligent

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.) relentless. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved on 12, 19,

2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relentless

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.) humble. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved on 12, 19,

2025, from, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humble

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