Life University Athletic Department Mission Statement
The vision and mission of the Life U intercollegiate athletic program, in support of the larger mission of Life University, is to foster a nurturing environment by providing opportunities for academic, social and athletic growth while instilling the confidence to achieve excellence in a community atmosphere.
Core Values:
- Accountability
- Communication
- Diversity
- Grit
- Honesty
- Service
Core Intent:
- To grow and develop each student-athlete’s skill and ability.
- To ensure that the student-athletes benefit from their educational programs and earn a Life University degree.
- To encourage the pursuit of continuous improvement in one’s character, behavior and personal success.
- To support the NAIA Champions of Character initiative and Live 5 core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Servant Leadership and Sportsmanship.
- To enhance the visibility and branding of Life U through athletic programs.
- To support the enrollment of students leading to increased exposure to the institution’s mission.
Student-athletes are reminded that participation in athletics is a privilege, and with this privilege comes additional expectations and rsponsibilities. The decision on who represents the institution lies with the coaching staff and administration. It is important for student-athletes to understand that they are a member of a team, an athletic department, and a university. With this privilege coms the responsibility of being aware of, and adhering to, policies on the team level, a departmental level, and a university level.
All students must abide by all the rules and policies outlined in the Life University Student Handbook, which outlines personal and acdemic integrity, the nondiscimination policy, standards of conduct, and student disciplinary procedures. In addition to the University rules and policies, there are additional expectations specific to student-athletes, which are outlined in the Student-Athlete Handbook.
Intercollegiate Sports
Life U Athletics competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and is a full member of the Mid-South Conference. Additional governing bodies for some Life U sports include USA Rugby, USA Wrestling, and the United States Bowling Congress.
Men’s Sports:
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Wrestling
Women’s Sports:
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Cross Country
- Rugby
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Co-ed Sports:
Focused on emerging sports, Life U offers scholarship opportunities for qualified student-athletes who want to continue their athletic careers at the next level. New sports will continue to be added as facilities and infrastructure allow. Life U is also committed to adhering to Title IX standards in its athletic opportunities.
Quick Facts
Mascot: Running Eagles
Colors: Green / Gold
Website: LIFERunningEagles.com
Assistant Athletic Director for Communication: Craig Dekshenieks
Director of Academic Support and Compliance: Jayme Pendergast
Faculty Academic Representative: R. Greg Ware
Director of Sports Performance: Anthony Connally
Athletic Training: Chris Markie
Facilities
LIFE boasts sporting facilities unheard of in a university of our size. We have two gymnasiums that feature full-court floating floors, and the main gym accommodates 2,200 fans. The main gym, also known as “The Eagles’ Nest,” houses the Life University basketball games and wrestling matches. The gym features state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment and is also the location for Life University’s graduations and assemblies. The upper gym was recently re-surfaced and contains a dedicated volleyball floor. This gym also serves as a practice facility for multiple teams.
Just outside the main gym is an athletic weight room built specifically for our intercollegiate and elite-performance athletes. The gym is a 2,000 square-foot facility that features Olympic platforms, Woodway Force treadmills and more than 1,000 pounds of weights. On campus, Life University boasts two rugby fields, two newly resurfaced tennis courts and a sand volleyball court. The fields are gaining nationwide exposure for their use in major sporting events hosted by Life University, including the Atlanta United FC, collegiate rugby playoffs and high school summer camps. Our impressive track and field facilities served as a practice track during the 1996 Olympics. The venue offers stadium seating, locker rooms, concession stands and an 8,000 square-foot field house.
Athlete Care
The Life U Athletic Care Department is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health, safety and welfare of the student-athletes by providing a safe environment and the best possible, and most expedient, health care. This mission is accomplished through six domains of athletic training as established by the National Athletic Training Association. These domains are:
- Injury Prevention
- Recognition and Evaluation of Injuries
- Management and Treatment of Injuries
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Organization and Administration
- Education and Counseling
The Sports Chiropractic area of the Athletic Care Department exists primarily to provie excellent chiropractic care to the student-athletes of Life University. Care may also be provided for members of the Life U community and for outside referrals. Secondary functions include providing practicum opportunities for Master of Sport Health Science - Chiropractic Sport Science students, and the generation of research relevant to Sports Chiropractic.
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