The Athletics Department at Chautauqua Lake Central School strives for productive and successful athletics each year. Growing and enhancing the experience of each Thunderbird team and individual student-athlete requires the commitment and dedication of many. Together, student-athletes, parents, school administrators and teachers, and coaches can work to achieve greatness. Below are some of the important characteristics that can, and will, lead to continued and improved success. 

Student-Athletes:

• Attend camps/clinics during the off-season to improve your game.
• Support all Chautauqua Lake student-athletes. Attend other teams’ games.
• Be prepared to commit to your team and make all necessary sacrifices. This means putting schoolwork first, your sport second, and your social life last. Additionally, it means being faithful to attend all practices/games and believing in what your coach asks of you for team success.
• Be true to the Athletic Code of Conduct.
• Be a role model for youth sport athletes in our community.  They watch your every move!

Parents:

• Attend games, home and away, whenever possible.
• Support and appreciate the coach’s duties and responsibilities. Refrain from negative comments about coaches and/or other student-athletes.
• Involve your child, and take an active role, in the youth sports programs in our community. Pursue higher levels of competition through club/travel teams, etc.

School (Administrators / Teachers):

• Support those hired as coaches to work with our student-athletes.
• Attend games when possible. Show your support.
• If unable to attend, ask student-athletes about their season during school. 
• Recognize Unpaid Assistant Coaches who give countless hours to our programs.

Coaches:

• Stay current in your sport.  Attend camps/clinics, research information, network with successful/veteran coaches – anything to improve yourself and your program.
• Hold a pre-season parent meeting(s) to discuss your goals and philosophy. Encourage communication with parents. Keep them informed of changes/updates.
• Conduct mini-clinics for the youth athletes and coaches in your sport.  Encourage them to attend your practices/games. Make them feel a part of your program.  Make an effort to attend their practices/games.
• Designate a home game on your schedule to honor the youth sport program.  Make them aspire to be a Thunderbird one day!
• Focus on team success versus individual awards/accolades.
• Get your student-athletes involved in off-season camps/clinics/leagues/work-out programs.