athletic profile 13 14 (issuu 8 5 13)

At h l e t i c P r o f i l e

2013-14

Christ Presbyterian Academy | cpalions.org

One cannot help but notice how much the Lord has blessed Christ Presbyterian Academy on the courts and fields over the past 26 years of athletics at CPA. Since we officially began an athletics program in 1987, thousands of individuals have been affected through the way

we have conducted ourselves both in competition as coaches and players, and in the stands as fans cheering on our Lions to be the best that they could be.

So why do we have athletics? Is it to win championships or receive college scholarships? Of course not. Such results may occur, and we are appreciative when they

do. However, the reason we have athletics at CPA is to serve our Lord and to serve others through sports. As missionary and Olympic sprinter Eric Liddell (featured in the classic film Chariots of Fire) once said, we desire to “feel His pleasure” when we compete, and this is best accomplished simply by doing our best.

I Timothy 4:12 speaks to the importance of the example we set as believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we move ahead, let us continue to build a legacy that is “Christ-Centered and Others Focused”, always mindful of the fact that people are watching the athletic program at CPA. Soli Deo Gloria—to God alone be the glory.

Mike Ellson, Director of Athletics

P.S. For a more detailed explanation of the Academy’s approach to sports, I would encourage you to read the “three pillars” of CPA athletics within these pages:

I Athletics Statement of Purpose

II The Role of Athletics

III Philosophy of Athletic Competition

“People play sports at CPA to be a part of a community—to love and encourage each other. It doesn’t matter your athletic ability.”Houston Nichols, football/baseball, Class of 2015

Athletic Profile | 2013-14

The Three Pillars of CPA Athletics

Athletics Statement of Purpose

It is the goal of the athletics program at Christ Presbyterian Academy to teach our students fundamentals of physical development that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Each student is instructed to take proper care of his/her body (the

temple of the Holy Spirit), to exhort one another in times of trial, to complete tasks which are begun, and to cooperate with team members.We at CPA must never allow the athletics program to become The Program. Athletics is offered so that each student can learn to face tough circumstances with determination and to continue on, even if victory seems impossible. We desire for our athletes to learn to persevere, to lose with grace, and to win with humility.

Finally, the athletics program at Christ Presbyterian Academy will be one that teaches self-sacrifice, self-discipline, and personal commitment to attain the goal of excellence. The primary goal is to develop characteristics in students that will enable them to overcome challenges they will face throughout their lives.

At the high school level, CPA is a member of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA); at the middle school level, CPA is a member of the Harpeth Valley Athletic Conference (HVAC).

The Role of Athletics

The role of athletics at Christ Presbyterian Academy is multifaceted, offering a variety of opportunities for the students in the different grade levels of the school.

First, as a general program incorporating the entire

student body, athletics at CPA are designed to teach fundamental physical development. Through an all-encompassing program of activities and exercise programs, each student learns to maintain proper care of his/her physical body. Every student is provided with an opportunity to be involved in specific physical activities on a daily basis.

Second, the athletic program at CPA participates in organized league events at both the middle school


and high school levels. This aspect of the athletics program is designed to provide an opportunity for individuals with appropriate talent levels to compete in an organized team sport. Athletic participation provides an avenue of teaching whereby an individual learns the value of personal sacrifice, discipline, and commitment to personal and team goals. Participation in a highly competitive environment imparts the lessons of winning with humility, losing with grace, and persevering to achieve a goal.

The goal of athletics at CPA is not to become the driving force behind the school’s identity. However, it is recognized that athletics can play an important role, if properly handled, in the overall development of school spirit as well as the development of individual participants. The athletic program will promote standards consistent with the philosophy of the school, acting as a supplement to the overall emphasis placed upon spiritual and academic development during daily school activities for individuals who participate in athletics.

Philosophy of Athletic Competition

We strongly believe that athletic competition, in a properly structured atmosphere, is an important developmental opportunity for our student participants. Christ Presbyterian Academy’s participation in team-oriented sports (in particular,

league competition within the HVAC for the middle

school and the TSSAA on the high school level) presents an opportunity for individuals with specific athletic skills to be involved in competition against other schools. While the emphasis of the program should never be to “win at all costs,” pursuit of victory through physical and mental preparation within a team atmosphere is deemed to be a worthy standard.

In conjunction with the middle school and high school athletic programs, an individual should not automatically expect to have the opportunity to participate in the team sport of his/her choice (due to a limitation of participants allowed on a playing field or court at one time); however, through a wide offering of sports, some of which have larger numbers of participants, individuals who so desire should have the opportunity to participate at some level. It should be noted that team members are selected based upon talent and other appropriate factors.

Being chosen as a member of the team does not necessarily guarantee equal playing time. Athletes and parents must realize that participation in a game is only one aspect of being a part of the team, which will have as one of its goals to win as many games as possible during a particular season. Contributions made in practice, as well as on the bench, will also play a significant role in the team’s success. Participation by an athlete in a game situation will be determined by a combination of ability, attitude, and work ethic in practice. Individuals with greater athletic ability who exhibit proper attitudes will likely have a greater


degree of participation in a game. Needless to say, good judgment on the part of the coach will be emphasized in an attempt to reward all team members with playing time when such participation does not serve as a detriment to the team’s overall ability to win a particular game or to reach a stated goal.

Through this process, it is desired that each participant learns to win with humility, lose with grace, and always strive to utilize God-given skills and abilities to the fullest. This philosophy of competition is designed to promote the development of the individual with regard to discipline, willingness to sacrifice personal desires for the overall benefit of the team, and the pursuit of the highest degree of excellence possible—qualities which

will benefit the individual in his/her Christian walk and vocation well beyond the high school years.

“Every team is extremely close, and throughout each season, so many friendships are made.”Mikaela Howell, soccer/track, Class of 2016

The CPA Athletic Alliance has been established to enhance CPA athletic programs through volunteerism. Our tagline is: “Serving the Lord through Sports.” The alliance is the Academy’s umbrella service/volunteer

organization for all CPA sports throughout the year. There are no joining fees or dues. To learn more about the alliance and how you can get involved,

please contact Mike Ellson at [email protected] or (615) 301-3552.


MS HVAC CHAMPionSHiPS• Boys’ Golf — 1998, 1999, 2007• Softball — 2007• Boys’ Cross Country — 2006• Baseball — 2005, 2011• Volleyball — 1996, 2008• Girls’ Soccer — 1996, 2007• Boys’ Soccer — 1995, 2000, 2001• Boys’ Track — 1999• Boys’ Tennis — 2007, 2012• Girls’ Basketball — 1997, 2004, 2009• Boys’ Basketball — 2005, 2006, 2010• Cheerleading — UCA Champion 2008, 2009, 2010

HS CHAMPionSHiPS• 1992 Boys’ Basketball TAnAS State Champions• 1996 Boys’ Soccer District Champions• 1996 Boys’ Cross Country Region Champions• 1998 Boys’ Basketball District Champions• 1998 Boys’ Soccer District & Region Champions• 1998 Football Region Champions• 1999 Boys’ Swimming Region Champions• 1999 Football Region Champions• 1999 Girls’ Soccer District Champions• 1999 Boys’ Track Region Champions• 1999 Boys’ Soccer District, Region & State Champions• 2000 Boys’ Soccer District Champions

• 2000 Football Region & State Champions• 2002 Boys’ Golf District & Region Champions• 2002 Boys’ Soccer Region & Sectional Champions• 2002 Football State Champions• 2003 Boys’ Golf Region Champions• 2004 Boys’ Basketball Region & Sectional Champions• 2004 Girls’ Soccer Sectional Champions• 2005 Boys’ Basketball Region Champions• 2005 Girls’ Basketball Sectional Champions• 2006 Boys’ Soccer District, Region &

Sectional Champions• 2007 Boys’ Golf District Champions

• 2007 Boys’ Soccer District & Sectional Champions

“In sports at CPA, we are one big family. I love how students with different levels of talent come together and compete for one common goal.”Catie Collins Smith, volleyball/softball, Class of 2016


• 2007 Girls’ Soccer Sectional Champions

• 2008 Boys’ Basketball District, Region &

Sectional Champions

• 2008 Girls’ Soccer Region & Sectional Champions

• 2008 Boys’ Golf District, Region & State Champions

• 2008 Volleyball District, Region & Sectional Champions

• 2008 Football Region Champions

• 2009 Boys’ Soccer District & Sectional Champions

• 2009 Girls’ Basketball District Champions

• 2009 Boys’ Basketball District Champions

• 2009 Boys’ Golf Region Champions

• 2009 Girls’ Soccer District, Region &

Sectional Champions

• 2009 Volleyball District, Region &

Sectional Champions

• 2010 Girls’ Basketball District, Region &

Sectional Champions

• 2010 Boys’ Soccer District, Region &

Sectional Champions

• 2010 Baseball District Champions• 2010 Girls’ Tennis District, Region, Sectional &

State Champions• 2010 Girls’ Soccer District, Region &

Sectional Champions

• 2011 Girls’ Basketball District Champions

• 2011 Boys’ Basketball District Champions


• 2011 Girls’ Tennis District, Region,

Sectional & State Champions

• 2011 Girls’ Soccer Region & Sectional Champions

• 2012 Girls’ Basketball District, Region,


• 2012 Boys’ Basketball District, Region,


• 2012 Boys’ Tennis District, Region &

Sectional Champions

• 2012 Girls’ Soccer District, Region, Sectional &

State Champions

• 2012 Football District Champions

• 2013 Girls’ Basketball District, Sectional &

State Champions

• 2013 Boys’ Basketball District, Region, Sectional &

State Champions

• 2013 Boys’ Soccer District, Region, Sectional Champions

• 2013 Boys’ Tennis District, Region, Sectional Champions

• 2013 Baseball District Champions

“It’s not just about the players, the coaches, or the parents; it’s about the whole ‘team’ working as one family.” Lucas Spickard, tennis, Class of 2013


indiViduAl STATe TiTleS• 1999 Chad Blackburn, 1600m (Track and Field) • 2000 John Patton, Discus (Track and Field)• 2001 Hans Chilberg, Discus (Track and Field)• 2002 Hans Chilberg, Discus (Track and Field)• 2003 Elizabeth Smothers, Katie Beth Gill, Leigh

Graham, and Jessica Lee, 4x800m (Track and Field)• 2003 Campbell Brewer (Golf)• 2005 G.J. Hudgens, 800m (Track and Field)• 2006 G.J. Hudgens, 800m (Track and Field)• 2007 Caleb Lee, Pole Vault (Track and Field)• 2008 Ryan Cook, Pole Vault (Track and Field)• 2009 Ryan Cook, Pole Vault (Track and Field)• 2010 Christopher Charles, Pole Vault (Track and Field)• 2010 Megan Roach, Pole Vault (Track and Field)• 2010 Sydney Campbell, Girls’ Singles (Tennis)• 2011 Christopher Charles, Pole Vault and Decathlon

Pole Vault (Track and Field)• 2011 Megan Roach, Pole Vault and Outdoor

Pentathlon 800m Dash (Track and Field)• 2011 Sydney Campbell, Girls’ Singles (Tennis)• 2011 Morgan Atkinson / Katherine Schofield,

Girls’ Doubles (Tennis)• 2012 Megan Roach, Pole Vault (Track and Field)• 2012 Lucas Spickard, Boys’ Singles (Tennis)

• 2012 Jessica Clarke, Courtney Cone, Caroline Conley, Megan Roach, 4x800m (Track and Field)

• 2012 Sam Cranford, 400m (Track and Field)• 2013 Tatum Wade, Girls’ 200m Freestyle (Swimming)• 2013 Lucas Spickard, Boys’ Singles (Tennis)• 2013 Jay Baker, High Jump (Track and Field)

“Sports at CPA are so great because they allow all who participate a chance to be part of something bigger than themselves, and to learn important life lessons that will help them later as husbands, wives, mothers and fathers.”Ingle Martin, Head Football Coach


CPA Athletic Program Sports offeringsFall SportsFootball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Varsity, 9th, 7th/8th, 6th,

5th grades Cross Country . . . . . . . . . . Varsity girls & boys,

Middle School girls & boysVolleyball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Varsity, Jr. Varsity,

7th/8th, 6th gradeGirls’ Soccer . . . . . . . . . . . . VarsityGirls’ & Boys’ Golf . . . . . . Varsity, Middle SchoolCheerleading . . . . . . . . . . . Varsity, Middle School

late Fall SportsGirls’ & Boys’ Soccer . . . . . Middle School

Winter SportsGirls’ & Boys’ Basketball . . Varsity, Jr. Varsity, 8th

grade, 7th grade, 6th gradeSwimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grades 8-12Cheerleading . . . . . . . . . . . Varsity, Middle School

Spring SportsBaseball � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Varsity, Jr. Varsity,

Middle SchoolSoftball � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Varsity, Middle SchoolGirls’ & Boys’ Tennis . . . . Varsity, Middle School

Boys’ Soccer . . . . . . . . . . . . VarsityTrack � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Varsity, Middle School,

Elementary (4th-6th)

Athletic Facilities• Athletic Stadium (Football & Soccer) “The Den”• Two gymnasiums: Varsity Gym, E/MS Gym

(Event Center)• Soccer/Track field• Half-inch rubberized asphalt latex track• Baseball field• Softball field• Football practice field• Girls’ weight room (Middle School building)• Boys’ weight room (field house)• Athletic field house **expanded/renovated

summer 2013• Four locker rooms (Middle School building)• Two locker rooms (field house)• 2013 Baseball Dugout

leagues of Participation• The middle school competes in the Harpeth Valley

Athletic Conference (HVAC) and has done so since 1989.

• The high school competes in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) and has done so since 1992.


Appalachian State UniversityAuburn UniversityBaylor University

Belmont UniversityBerry CollegeBryan College

Carson-Newman CollegeCentre College

Clemson UniversityColumbia State Community College

Covenant CollegeLipscomb University

Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFurman University

Iowa State UniversityKing University

Lambeth UniversityLiberty University

Lincoln Memorial UniversityMaryville State College

Mercer UniversityMiami of Ohio

Middle Tennessee State UniversityRhodes College

Samford UniversitySewanee: The University of the South

Southeast Missouri UniversityTennessee Tech University

Transylvania UniversityTrevecca Nazarene University

Union UniversityUniversity of Alabama

United States Military Academy (West Point)

University of Alabama-HuntsvilleUniversity of Florida

University of Kentucky University of Memphis

University of MississippiUniversity of Montana

University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaUniversity of Tennessee-Knoxville

University of Tennessee-MartinVanderbilt University

Vincennes Western KentuckyWofford College

College AcceptancesCPA student-athletes have competed or are competing

on the college level at the following schools:

CPA Alma Mater

“Soli Deo Gloria”Soli Deo Gloria

This will be our songAll the praise and glory to our God

and our God alone belongsSoli Deo Gloria

Let this be our prayerSpread through us the fragrance

Of the knowledge of His truth everywhereThrough our victories, through all our pain,

We have been forged in His holy flameAnd we will stand as His grand display

To God alone be the GlorySoli Deo Gloria

CPA Athletic DepartmentMike Ellson, Athletic Director, (615) 301-3552 / [email protected]

Jennifer Martin, Sports Information Director, (615) 301-3573 / [email protected] LeGate, Director of Athletic Finance & Apparel, (615) 301-3510 / [email protected]

Steve Lenger, Director of Middle School Athletics, (615) 373-9550 (x2212) / [email protected] Eric Brandon, Head Groundskeeper, (615) 301-3573 / [email protected]

Rev. 7-22-13

2323-A Old Hickory Blvd. | Nashville, TN 37215 | tel (615) 373-9550 | fax (615) 370-0884 | cpalions�org

MissionChrist Presbyterian Academy, an educational ministry

of Christ Presbyterian Church, assists Christian families in helping students come to know God, evaluate all knowledge and all life by His truth,

and live transformed by His truth for His glory.

Motto Soli Deo Gloria — To God Alone Be the Glory