The Thunderbird
“The Thunderbird has always been a part of the body and spirit of all native tribes of North America, figuring in stories, dances, religion, and everyday life. It gave to our people thunder, lightning, rain – cleansing and giving power to the earth, and to the people – power to survive and worship the Great Spirit. Today, it remains very important to us, symbolizing our long hope to emerge from a dark past into a bright future of cultural and spiritual freedom for our people in the land that our grandfathers left us. The Thunderbird is not a forgotten effigy on a weather-worn rock or on a string of beads. It is alive and as real to our people as the thunder, lightning, and rain of every summer storm that is given to us.”
- Keewatinung Institute
It is an honour and a privilege to be part of the Algoma University Thunderbirds Varsity Athletics Program. Each member of a varsity team, which includes players, coaches, and management, will conduct him/herself in a positive representation of the student-athlete, the team, the University, and the community of Sault Ste. Marie. All members of the team will train and compete towards common goals, which are the success of the team and the individual development of all players.
The highest potential of sports is achieved when participants are committed to pursuing victory with honour according to six core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.
The expectations below apply to all student-athletes involved in the Algoma University Thunderbirds Varsity Athletics Program. Please understand that, in order to participate in the Algoma University Thunderbirds Varsity Athletics Program, you must act in accordance with the following:
Trustworthiness
- Trustworthiness - Be worthy of trust in all I do.
- Integrity - Live up to high ideals of ethics and sportsmanship and always pursue victory with honour; do what’s right even when it’s unpopular or difficult.
- Honesty - Live and compete honourably; don’t lie, cheat, steal or engage in any other dishonest or unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Reliability - Fulfill commitments; do what I say I will do; be on time to practices and games.
- Loyalty - Be loyal to my school and team; put the team above personal glory.
Respect
- Respect - Treat all people with respect all the time and require the same of the other student-athletes.
- Class - Live and play with class; be a good sport; be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity; give fallen opponents help, compliment extraordinary performance, show sincere respect in pre- and post-game rituals.
- Disrespectful - Don’t engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including conduct, profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual or racial nature, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.
- Respect Officials - Treat contest officials with respect; don’t complain about or argue with official calls or decisions during or after an athletic event.
Responsibility
- Be a student first and commit to getting the best education I can.
- Education - Remember, participation in sports is a privilege, not a right, and that I as a role model am expected to represent my school, coach, and team mates with honour, on and off the field. I must consistently exhibit good character and conduct myself as a positive role model. Suspension or termination of the participation privilege is within the sole discretion of the school administration.
- Self-Control - Exercise self-control; don’t fight or show excessive displays of anger or frustration; have the strength to overcome the temptation to retaliate.
- Healthy Lifestyle - Safeguard my health; don’t use any illegal or unhealthy substances including alcohol, tobacco, and drugs or engage in any unhealthy techniques to gain, lose or maintain weight and strength.
- Integrity of the Game - Protect the integrity of the game; don’t gamble. Play the game according to the rules.
Fairness
- Be Fair - Live up to high standards of fair play; be open-minded; always be willing to listen and learn.
Caring
- Concern for Others - Demonstrate concern for others; never intentionally injure any player or engage in reckless behaviour that might cause injury to myself or others.
- Teammates - Help promote the well-being of team mates by positive counseling and encouragement or by reporting any unhealthy or dangerous conduct to coaches.
Citizenship
- Play by the Rules - Maintain a thorough knowledge of and abide by all applicable game and competition rules.
- Spirit of Rules - Honour the spirit and the letter of rules; avoid temptations to gain competitive advantage through improper gamesmanship techniques that violate the highest traditions of sportsmanship.
