Defining Success…Landmark Style!
Rock Knapp, Athletic Director 2005-2006
We are a numbers oriented society, and the world teaches us that athletic competition is all about the numbers. Success is measured by the final scoreboard; winning equals success; and losing defines failure. However, the coaching staff at Landmark Christian School measures true athletic success according to the impact that they have on the young lives of their athletes.
This measure is in direct accordance with the overall vision of our school. The purpose of our collective ministry at Landmark, whether in football, fine arts or French, is to see “Every student prepared to impact the world for Jesus Christ.” Not every athlete in our program is a starter: some ride the pine. Not every team that wears the gold and blue will be region champions. But, every student can become “more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Athletics at Landmark is about building champions for Christ. Now, that’s success!
We impact our players through relationship. Our coaches genuinely love each athlete. This love is not performance based; it is unconditional. In this relationship we want our athletes to see Jesus in us. When student athletes see their coaches living a surrendered life, they are drawn to want the same. Athletics is then used as a big laboratory for developing Christ-like character in the lives of these hungry disciples. Each sport demands hard work, mental toughness, selflessness, dedication, courage, self-discipline, and the ability to overcome circumstances. All of these qualities were modeled by our Savior as He went to the Cross.
Yes, we want to win. We do live in a results oriented society. And, if you look at Landmark's history you’ll see that you do not have to compromise being champions on the field to be champions off the field. We believe you can do both. But for our coaches there is a higher prize than winning the game. It is an incorruptible trophy. It is looking beyond today, looking beyond the scoreboard. The prize that we seek is to look into the eyes of our athletes and see Jesus.
This article was originally published in Landmark's June 2006 "LCS Connection."