What if we treated our sports fields and courts like classrooms—where faith, character, and Catholic values are just as important as the final score?

In this episode, I sit down with Patrick McLaughlin, Principal of St. Francis Prep—the largest private Catholic high school in the country—to talk about the transformative power of athletics in Catholic schools.

Patrick shares how his team created a program to align athletics with Catholic mission—working with students, coaches, parents, and even the diocese to build a culture of sportsmanship, respect, and faith-filled leadership. This is an inspiring, practical conversation that every Catholic school leader, coach, and athletic director needs to hear.

Get your notepad ready—you’ll walk away with ideas you can implement in your school, no matter the size or budget.

Key Takeaways:

• Athletics as a Classroom: The court, the field, the rink—these aren’t separate from the school’s mission; they’re classrooms where Catholic identity must shine.
• The Power of a Unified Vision: How St. Francis Prep’s “Captain’s Club” trains student-athletes to lead with character—and how coaches and fans are part of the same team.
• The Five Cs: Catholicity, Competence, Character, Civility, and Citizenship—core values that guide all athletic programs in their diocese.
• Coaches as Educators: Coaches must model Catholic values, just like teachers. If you’d address it in the classroom, you address it in athletics too.
• Collaboration Across Schools: The program’s success is built on diocese-wide buy-in, top-down support from leadership, and bottom-up enthusiasm from students.
• The Courage to Lead: It takes courage to hold coaches, athletes, and fans accountable—even when it’s hard.
• Why This Matters: Very few student-athletes will play at the next level, but all of them will enter society as Catholic citizens. What lessons are we teaching them now?

Connect with Us:

• Visit elementaryadvancement.com for more resources, tools, and coaching opportunities.
• Let’s chat about how we can support your school—reach out for a virtual coffee!

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