While academics plays the most vital role in helping to shape a student's future, athletics plays an important part. Coaches, practices, road trips, and the games themselves all form a larger classroom where a young man or woman makes decisions that can frame a life and leave a legacy. Life lessons of sacrifice, perseverance, responsibility, teamwork and commitment are reinforced on the fields of play and combine with those gleaned from the academic classroom experience.
Grace Christian Academy believes that sports also provide an excellent opportunity to minister God’s love to the community through exemplary attitudes and actions.
The Athletic Department at Grace Christian Academy seeks to use the arena of athletic competition to teach each student-athlete the disciplines needed to build Christian character, to develop a sense of community, and to foster excellence in education, teamwork, and leadership.
As we strive for excellence in every area at the Academy, God has richly blessed us with a dedicated coaching staff in all of our sports. Nearly half of GCA's middle and high school students participate in at least one sport. We look forward to having a great year and seeing what the Lord will do in the lives of our student-athletes.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE Focus at GCA
Part of the maturation process enjoyed at Grace is the development and cultivation of good study and learning habits. Coaches work in partnership with teachers and their student-athletes to focus on becoming a scholar who pursues excellence in the classroom and on the field of competition. A student-athlete at the Academy learns to exercise God-given skill not only on the field of play but in the classroom as well. Below are the GPAs of Grace's student-athletes (number of athletes in parentheses):
| Cheerleading (12) |
3.74 |
Cross Country (21) |
3.71 |
Football (54) |
3.29 |
Golf (11) |
3.44 |
Girls' Soccer (16) |
3.74 |
| Volleyball (18) |
3.57 |
Boys' Basketball (17) |
3.41 |
Girls' Basketball (17) |
3.37 |
Swimming (6) |
3.91 |
Wrestling (18) |
3.01 |
| Baseball (19) |
3.22 |
Boys' Soccer (21) |
3.04 |
Softball (12) |
3.36 |
Tennis - (21) |
3.46 |
Track (24) |
3.50 |
ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS
2012-13 ATHLETIC HANDBOOK
Below are the necessary forms that need to be completed and signed before any middle or high school athlete participates in a contest at GCA:
2012-2013 Complete Athletic Forms Package - contains the TSSAA Physical/Emergency Release Form, Informed Consent, Transportation, TSSAA/GCA Financial Aid Compliance Form, and Code of Conduct Forms and Signature Page. Just click to download and print this package.
Every athlete in every sport is required to have a valid (after 5/10/2011) sports physical on file with the school before participating in ANY practice or game. Turn in your completed forms to your coach or to the Athletic Office, located in the back hall of the High School building.
AFFILIATIONS
Grace Christian is a member of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), participating as a 1-A school in Region 2.
ATHLETIC LEADERSHIP
Johnny Cox, Athletic Director - 865.934.4787
Paul Pridemore, Assistant Athletic Director - 865.934.4788
Lecia Watson, Athletic Dept. Administrative Assistant - 865.934.4792
COMPENSATION RULES
Grace Christian Academy students who play varsity sports are not permitted to receive financial assistance from anyone except a parent, bona fide guardian, or other family member.
Creative Images of East Tennessee is the school's team photograph, game action and individual shots provider for all sports (except cheerleading and football). For more information, visit the company website.
