Building Culture

Program Core Values

Respect
We will treat everyone, no matter who they are, with dignity and respect.
Integrity
Integrity is a choice of behaviors displayed in small daily decisions. It is a
consistency in our actions and a failure to compromise our values. Always do
the right thing. Do your best. Treat others as you want to be treated.
Teamwork
Everyone involved in the program is a valued member, treated with respect,
encouraged to contribute and recognized and rewarded for his/her efforts.
Positive Attitude
Maintain an optimistic outlook by turning challenges into opportunities. We
are motivated, driven, and passionate for success. We find the positive in
every situation and have fun as a team.
Accountability
Everyone will take responsibility for their own actions.
Competitive
Always compete in everything you do everyday.
Growth
Always take every opportunity to better ourselves as coaches, athletes, and
people.
Honesty
Tell the truth and make sure you always back it up with actions.
Commitment
Devotion to the university, the program, and to each other.
Work Ethic
Always work hard and give our best effort with everything we do.
Preparation
Doing the things that will lead to success.
 Building Culture
Program Standards

Be a Student-Athlete:
• Attend all classes
• Positively contribute to the classroom environment
• Set a positive example for your peers
• Engage in class discussions with your classmates and professors
• Complete all assignments on time
On the Field:
• Dress only in team issued apparel.
• Always show great sportsmanship no matter the outcome of the game.
• Do not argue with any of the officials.
• Respect the game and everyone involved
• Do not draw any negative attention toward yourself
• No matter what happens, keep your composure at all times
• Never show up your opponent.
At Practice:
• Dress in team issued apparel.
• Be coachable.
• Always give 100% at practice
o Always practice like you are going to play in a game
• Always hustle
o Never walk onto the field or in between drills
• Always attend and be on time to all practices unless you have class or are
excused ahead of time.
 o If you are going to be late to practice make sure you let your coach know
before practice.
• Always help with the set up and clean up of practice.
o Make sure all equipment is brought out and ready before practice starts.
o When practice ends make sure all equipment is cleaned up and put away.
• Do not bring outside distractions to the field, leave them in the locker room or
at home
• Always support your teammates
• Compete in everything we do
In the Community:
• Do not use inappropriate language and behavior
• Be on time to everything you go to no matter what it is
• Always act like a model citizen
• Always represent the university, the program, and yourself in positive way
especially if you are wearing team apparel
• If opportunities arise to do good deeds, do them.
Facilities:
• Respect all facilities the university offers you
• Keep the locker room as clean as possible
• Pick up trash on the field, in the locker room, or in any facility we use
• Respect all facilities we visit and pick up any trash we have
On Social Media:
• Keep all social media posts appropriate at all times
• Do not post anything about your opponent, teammates, or coaches that is
disrespectful in any way.
• Do not post anything that is disrespectful to anyone
Equipment Care:
• All equipment that is given to you is your responsibility.
 o Take care of your equipment
▪ Clean it and keep it safe
o If the equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged you are responsible to pay
for it.
o Do not use team issued gear for anything other than team practice or
games
• Respect the belongings of all your teammates
Personal Responsibilities:
• Everyone must accept responsibility for their own actions and behaviors.
o DO NOT blame others for your actions or behaviors and do not make
excuses
• General
o Try not to use inappropriate language
o Hazing/bullying is absolutely unacceptable no matter what
o Always be respectful to others when they are talking
▪ Do not interrupt them
▪ Pay attention and listen
o Always represent this program in a positive way
Alcohol and Drug Use:
• Any knowledge of drug, alcohol or steroids use will be tested and discipline
guidelines will be within the institution and state legal policy as well,
dismissal from program and suspension from school.
 Building Culture
Gaining Buy-In and Alignment

In any successful program, you quickly find a specific culture that binds everything
together. A culture is defined as a set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and
practices that characterize an organization.
Teams that are successful focus less on winning championships and outcomes than
on the process of building a culture that will ultimately lead to peak performance
over time. Individually, athletes on such teams must be accountable for
demonstrating certain values and standards. These values and standards ultimately
create the program’s culture.
I am deeply committed to developing a positive, athlete-centered program. We must
provide our athletes with positive role models who exhibit accountability
themselves in order for them to hold each other accountable. With this in mind, here
are some thoughts for developing buy-in from the athletes, and alignment
throughout the program.
• Mentor and develop the staff.
• Mentor and develop the current players. Further develop those that display
positive leadership characteristics.
• Recruit players who display a commitment to the program’s core values and
standards.
• Communicate the program’s purpose/culture with clarity and consistency.
• Hold everyone within the program accountable – deal with issues quickly and
firmly.
• Define and communicate everyone’s role within the program.
• Provide ample opportunity for everyone to demonstrate their strengths and
contributions to the program.
• Allow for input from everyone within the program on the core values,
standards, and expectations.
• Develop personal relationships beyond the sport. Value everyone as a person
– connect and care.
• Provide positive examples of what is expected – back up words with actions.
What does this look like?