“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal.”
Vince Lombardi
The Oak Hills Athletic Department exists to enrich the educational experience of every student-athlete by providing opportunities to compete, lead, serve, and grow. Through educational-based athletics, we develop young people of character who pursue excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in their communities. Our goal is not simply to build successful teams, but to develop Champions for Life.
We believe educational-based athletics are an extension of the classroom. Athletics provide unique learning experiences that complement a student's academic education while helping develop the whole person. Our athletic programs are intentionally designed to build character, strengthen relationships, and prepare young people for success long after their playing days have ended.
Being a student-athlete is about far more than wins and losses. It is about learning the values that lead to success in school, in careers, in relationships, and in life. Every practice, competition, and team experience presents opportunities to develop responsibility, integrity, resilience, discipline, commitment, selflessness, leadership, accountability, and perseverance. Student-athletes learn to celebrate success with humility, respond to adversity with courage, and pursue excellence through hard work and dedication.
From the moment a student enters our athletic program as a freshman, they begin a journey of growth—not only as an athlete, but as a leader, teammate, and person. While our coaches are committed to teaching the technical skills necessary to compete at a high level, their greatest responsibility is developing young people of character. Every coach serves as an educator, mentor, and role model, reinforcing the same values taught in our classrooms and expected throughout our school community.
To further develop leadership, the Oak Hills Athletic Department provides two leadership opportunities: S.A.L.T. (Student Athletic Leadership Team) and Captain's Council.
S.A.L.T. is a year-long leadership development program that brings together student-athletes from a variety of sports, many of whom compete in multiple sports. Meeting weekly throughout the school year, participants develop the leadership skills necessary to positively influence their teams, our school, and the Oak Hills community.
Through S.A.L.T., student-athletes learn to:
Captain's Council consists of the elected captains from every varsity athletic team at Oak Hills High School. Meeting monthly with the Athletic Director, these student leaders discuss issues impacting their teams, athletic department, school, and community. Together, they identify opportunities to improve the student-athlete experience while learning to lead through collaboration, communication, and service.
Both leadership programs create a ripple effect throughout our athletic department. By investing in student leaders, we empower them to positively influence their teammates, shape team culture, and strengthen our entire school community. We believe leadership is learned, character is developed, and every student-athlete has the ability to make a lasting impact on those around them.
Our ultimate goal extends beyond championships and trophies. We strive to graduate young men and women who are prepared to lead with integrity, compete with humility, serve others with compassion, and represent Oak Hills with pride wherever life takes them.
That is what it means to be a Champion for Life.