One of the great strengths of athletics at United Christian Academy is the passion and enthusiasm our families and supporters bring to games. That energy creates an exciting environment for our student-athletes and reflects a community that rallies around its students.

We value school spirit. We value enthusiasm. We value competition.

As our athletic program continues to grow, we are also being intentional about shaping the culture surrounding competition, on the court, on the field, and in the stands.

A Culture of Passion and Support

At United Christian Academy, athletics are an extension of our mission. How we compete and how we cheer are not separate from our faith, they are part of our Christian witness.

Athletic events are public spaces where emotions run high and responses are often immediate. In those moments, our words, attitudes, and actions communicate what truly shapes us.

Scripture reminds us that our conduct is visible to others and can point them toward Christ:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16 NKJV

The way we conduct ourselves during athletic events should reflect the same Christlike character we seek to cultivate in our classrooms and daily lives.

Athletics as Christian Witness

What is the Character in Competition Initiative?

The Character in Competition Initiative is our commitment to honoring Christ through our words, attitudes, and actions at athletic events.

This initiative is not about reducing intensity or quieting school spirit. It is about elevating it, and ensuring our passion for competition is matched by integrity, respect, and self-control.

“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.” - 1 Corinthians 9:25 NKJV

We believe it is both possible and important to cheer passionately for our teams while also showing respect for officials, opponents, and the game itself. Encouraging our athletes, celebrating effort, and supporting teamwork are all expressions of Christlike character.

What Character in Competition Looks Like in Practice

We Encourage

• Cheering enthusiastically for our student-athletes

• Celebrating effort, growth, and teamwork

• Showing respect toward officials and opposing teams

• Using positive, Christ-honoring language

• Demonstrating self-control in moments of intensity

We Discourage

• Yelling at officials

• Directing negative or demeaning comments toward opponents or their fans

• Conduct that detracts from our Christian witness

Our goal is not to eliminate passion, but to direct it in a way that reflects Christ.

Our students are always watching, and so are our guests. Every athletic event is an opportunity to model what it looks like to compete fiercely while demonstrating grace, respect, and humility. We want those who enter our gym or fields to see a community that values excellence, character, effort, and integrity.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” - Philippians 2:3 NKJV

The lessons learned in competition extend beyond athletics and shape how students respond to pressure, disagreement, and adversity throughout life.

Why This Matters

As this initiative develops, our desire is not only to strengthen the culture within UCA athletics, but also to invite other schools to join us in this effort. The Character in Competition Initiative is faith-based and rooted in Biblical principles. Participation is open to any school that is willing to engage in the Christ-centered foundation and purpose. We believe when schools commit to honoring Christ through competition, athletics can collectively set a higher standard for conduct, integrity, and witness.

From UCA to a Broader Invitation

The Character in Competition Initiative was inspired by a personal experience at a men’s basketball game at Liberty University. Upon entering the arena, fans were handed signs and encouraged to cheer in ways that reflected Christlike love and respect, even during intense competition. The experience demonstrated that athletic environments can be both passionate and principled, and expectations for Christ-honoring conduct can be communicated clearly and intentionally. While this experience helped spark reflection, the Character in Competition Initiative is not a replication of any one model. It has been developed independently, shaped by Scripture, and aligned with United Christian Academy’s mission and values.

The Inspiration Behind the Initiative

Participation & Logo Options

To support schools interested in participating in the Character in Competition Initiative, the logo has been intentionally designed to be adaptable while preserving a consistent, Christ-centered identity.

Schools may participate in one of the following ways:

Option 1: Logo Template

Participating schools may request a Character in Competition logo template and customize it using their own school colors, name, and mascot. This option allows schools to visually align the initiative with their existing brand while maintaining the heart and purpose of the initiative.

Option 2: Custom Logo Support

Schools may also choose to provide their official logo and color codes, and we are happy to assist by creating a customized Character in Competition logo on their behalf. This ensures visual consistency and accuracy while allowing each school’s unique identity to be clearly represented.

While logos and colors may vary, the foundation of the initiative remains the same: honoring Christ through competition, conduct, and character.

How to Get Started

Schools interested in participating, receiving the logo template, or requesting logo customization are invited to contact Mr. Lauer HERE.

Please include:

• School name

• Mascot

• Official school colors (hex codes preferred)

• School logo (if requesting customization)

A Personal Commitment

The Character in Competition Initiative is more than a statement, it is a commitment. As a school community, we are choosing to be intentional about how we represent Christ in moments of competition, intensity, and emotion.

My prayer is that this initiative will help shape not only athletic culture at UCA, but also the hearts of our students as they learn to compete with excellence, humility, and integrity.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” - Micah 6:8 NKJV

Jason Lauer

Administrator

United Christian Academy