SSFS Soccer: Present

There is a certain set of developmental principles to which SSFS men's varsity soccer players are asked to adhere. Aside from a love for the game, it is often this noble code of ethics that draws in and distinguishes the kinds of exemplary participants and families that form the core of our program.

Pride
The team mantra since 1996, the notion of pride carries a dichotomous meaning. As a program we are conscious to avoid the dangerous pitfalls of pride that are associated with excessive self-esteem or conceit, often attributed to hollow disdain. Rather, the pride to which we aspire is a reasonable and justifiable self-respect, forged and developed from our collective efforts and inspired by the privileged position in which we recognize ourselves to be: chosen to represent our school at its highest, most public and competitive level.

The Gentleman-Warrior
A man of breeding and manners who battles courageously. This samurai philosophy is so dear to the essence of our program that it ranks among the highest honors with which a varsity member can be bestowed. To learn more about the Kip Kelley Gentleman-Warrior Award click on link.

The Warrior Ethos:
The will to win with honor. The refusal to accept failure. The unrelenting and consistent determination to do what is right and to do it with pride.
Discipline
Another often misunderstood notion, "discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment" - Jim Rohn. This Far East inspired philosophy is the lofty and orderly system of both intrinsic and extrinsic rules governing conduct or practice that helps correct, mold and perfect team cohesion. But group discipline begins first and foremost with self-discipline.

Commitment (The Rule of Four)
A Jack of all trades makes one a master of none. Commitment is a pledge and, like one's word, pledges are sacred and meant to be honored. For a team to be successful there is no room for individual selfishness, and this is why the preliminary decision to participate should be made carefully. As a focused way to master one's life at any particular moment, leadership gurus often refer to The Rule of Four: Family, Spirituality, Profession, and Passion.

Family	The core unit that serves as each individual's harbor and anchor.
Spirituality	The personal faith or system of beliefs that carves the path of one's life.
Profession	For students, this implies academics
Passion	One serious seasonal commitment or focus (in our case, soccer in the fall)

Preparation & Practice
Practice is indeed the best of all instructors and, therefore, it should come as no surprise that 1989 New York City Marathon Winner, Juma Ikangaa's declaration, "The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare", sits imprinted symbolically on the back of our practice shirts. There is simply no substitute for proper practice and preparation, only excuse in the wake of defeat for lack thereof. As famed coach John Wooden once said, "Nothing will work unless you do."
Integrity
This unimpaired intrinsic quality is defined by the code of especially moral values to which one adheres. Team integrity is what allows us to remain undivided, complete and abide by the quintessential notions of the FIFA Fair-Play Code.
Fraternity
The magical family-like bond of brotherhood that gets forged over time among mutually sacrifycing teammates committed to a common and worthy cause.
Champion
The more popular extrinsic notion of being acknowledged formally as better than all others is not and should not be our goal. As legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski stated, "Our goal is not to win. It's to play together and to play hard. Then, winning takes care of itself."

Therefore, "The mark of a Champion, in any endeavor, is their pride in preparing for their competition. For the businessman, as well as the athlete, it's reading the right books, listening to the right tapes/CDs, attending the right seminars and choosing the right mentors and coaches. Champions are built, not born. There is no off season for someone on the road to being a champion. There is only preparation and competition." - Greg Werner
Elite But Not Elitist
This relatively self-explanatory philosophy from Princeton University underscores the acknowledgement of exceptional sacrifice and striving achievement without succumbing to the snobbery, vanity and lack of discipline associated with braggarts and primadonnas.

The Three Questions
From Count Leo Tolstoy's (1828-1910) The Three Questions (published 1903):
Question #1: When is the best time to do things?
Answer #1: Now.

Question #2: Who is the most important one?
Answer #2: The one you are with.

Question #3: What is the right thing to do?
Answer #3: To do good for the one who is standing at your side.

This is why we are here.