Saint John's University

Holistic Education 
The underlying theme at Saint John's is holistic education of the individual.  Athletics teach fair play, balance, character and enhance intellect.  Student-athletes are forced to mature autonomously while being responsible to the group.  They develop self-esteem, learn to develop healthy male relationships as well as a healthy lifestyle, and learn to manage emotions.  Competition provides the opportunity for growth in all areas of life purely for enjoyment’s sake. 

Athletics provide integrated learning and exceptional leadership opportunities.  The lessons learned from participating in collegiate athletics provide wisdom for a lifetime.


Academics
Saint John's is a liberal arts university which offers an opportunity in NCAA Division III athletics.  Saint John's is a model for Division III athletics.  At Saint John's we offer a high caliber of educational opportunities both in the classroom and on the playing fields.  We continue to demonstrate that we have had excellence in both academics and athletics.  We recognize that the way to our locker rooms is through the library and we pride ourselves on the academic and post-graduate record of our student-athletes.

Quality of Student-Life
We teach the Benedictine values of community, hospitality and work.  Athletics and the Rule of Saint Benedict go hand-in-glove.  The truly unique and outstanding quality of this community is the influence of the Abbey on the lives of our students.  The effect of this experience is reflected in the quality of life that is available here.

Individual Attention
The role of coach may well be defined as mentor and friend.  The number of coach/athlete friendships that have lasted for decades speaks volumes for the one-on-one attention given our protégés.  The relationships developed with coaches are on a par with those of the faculty residents providing an opportunity for daily contact in out-of-classroom educational settings.  The role of surrogate father is not unique in the athletic department and a word often used to describe a team is "family."

Involvement
Athletic involvement is at the core of student life.  The percentage of Saint John's students who find themselves in the Palaestra or on our intramural fields is virtually one hundred percent.  The word "palaestra", meaning a place for debate and competition, is an apt name for the sports facility, which stands as our statement that out-of-classroom participation in campus-life is the single biggest indicator of success in college.

Leadership and Teamwork
We teach leadership.  Our athletes do not have special tutors or study halls or off-season coaches.  They must take responsibility for their own success and the success of their team(s).  They must, on their own initiative, become leaders.  A successful team is made up of leaders.  The importance of teaching teamwork cannot be overestimated.

Success
At Saint John’s we stress excellence, sportsmanship and a high code of ethical conduct.  Athletes are evaluated each week and the results are published for public scrutiny.  Athletic success is the result of the process of recruiting, teaching, training and executing.  The success we take the most pride in is the fact that virtually one hundred percent of our varsity athletes graduate and achieve success in their careers and carry with them these valuable lessons that athletics teach.