Delaney Athletic Conference: Welcome
Tuesday, August 22The Delaney Athletic Conference (DAC) is named after Joe Delaney, one of the most prominent athletes in Northwestern State University, Louisiana history. An All American football player for two years at Northwestern, he was the Demons all time leading rusher. HIs number 44 football jersey was retired. He was also an All American in track and was a member of Northwestern's national championship 400 meter relay team in 1981. Joe was on his way to a brilliant career in professional football. His life was cut short while attempting to save two youngsters in a Monroe Pond. He was not an accomplished swimmer, but he responded immediately to their cries of help.
The DAC was form in 1987 and consists of eight schools from northern and central Virginia. The Delaney name was chosen not only because of Joe's athletic talents, but also his act of bravery reflected the courage, compassion and unselfishness that he demonstrated as an athlete and as an individual. This is the example we want out athletes to know and have.
DELANEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MISSION STATEMENT
The Delaney Athletic Conference was created by its member schools in a spirit of trust and shared commitment to the highest ideal of sportsmanship, healthy competition, and mutual respect.
Member schools of the DAC believe that their athletic programs are an integral part of their educational programs and should provide the same opportunities for instruction, participation, growth and success as any other opportunity offered by the school.
Accordingly, each Member school subscribes to the following principles in the conduct of its athletic programs:
. We believe that our athletic programs should be developmental, providing training and competition at all levels, and allowing the opportunity for younger players to participate at the varsity level as they gain in skills
. We believe that our athletic programs offer a teaching environment that is understood to be consistent with the overall mission and goals of each member school.
. We believe that a student's admission to a DAC school should be based on each member school's overall mission and goals, and not on the basis of a candidate's skill in a particular activity.
. We believe that sportsmanship and respect are central to the mission of the DAC. We expect that visitors will be treated with courtesy and that visiting teams will act as honored guests.
. We believe that each school assumes the responsibility to inform its constituency that the athletic arena is a place for friendly and spirited competition and respect for all who are part of that pageant.
. We believe that member schools have a responsibility to work together to resolve differences that will arise from time to time. We have a responsibility to one another's programs and initiatives consistent with the goals of the Delaney Athletic Conference.
OUR COMMONLY HELD CORE VIRTUES
The League's stakeholders (student-athletes, coaches, parents, faculty, admistration, trustees) should know, value and act upon our core virtues of respect, trust, humility, and balance. By respect we mean: that we will play within both the letter and spirit of the rules; that we will treat all people involved in a contest (players, coaches, officials) with the same degree of respect which we would want to be treated; that we will respect the unique nature and mission of each member school. By trust we mean: that we will trust that each member school and its constituents will abide by agreed upon policies and practices. By humility we mean: that we will be gracious in victory and defeat, acknowledging the efforts of a worthy opponent. By balance we mean: that we will work toward the development of the whole person, (physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual).