PCA Athletics
Providence Christian Academy offers a wide range of athletic programs for students from our Grammar (elementary) through Rhetoric (high) schools.
Beginning in our Grammar School, Providence Christian Academy has opportunities for students to participate in team sports. As students progress through our Logic and Rhetoric schools, Providence Christian Academy offers more advanced and competitive athletic programs, including varsity-level sports such as cheerleading, football, basketball, and baseball, see the full list below.
PCA has state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and provides personalized coaching and training to help our student-athletes achieve their full potential. Additionally, Providence Christian Academy resources and supports our student-athletes with academic tutoring, nutritional education, and encouragement to help them balance the demands of their athletic and academic career.
Athletic Programs
PCA athletes are representatives of their team, their school, their community, and most importantly, God. We are committed to developing each individual’s character as well as proper perspectives on winning and losing which are consistent with the will of God. We will be modest in victory and gracious in defeat.
To this end, PCA strives for excellence – programs that are well managed and well executed with a focus on discipleship – and success – reaching maximum potential both individually and as a team – in all athletic endeavors.
Mission Statement
“Winning isn’t worthwhile unless one has something finer and nobler behind it.”
Alonzo Stagg
Providence Christian Academy Athletics recognizes the finer and nobler pursuits in our three pillars and core values. Upon this foundation and within this framework is our philosophy of competition, statement of purpose, and expectations of our student-athletes, coaches and fans.
Three Pillars for Athletics
- Worship: In His name we play. Colossians 3:17
- Worthy: In how we play we will always honor and please God. Colossians 1:10
- Witness: Through how we play, we will shine His light. Matthew 5:16
Athletics Core Values
- Play Like a Champion: 2 Timothy 2:5
- Sacrifice: 2 Samuel 24:24
- Recognize Christ in victory and defeat: Philippians 4:13
- In God is the victory: 1 Timothy 4:8
- Be a worthy teammate: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Athletic Director
Tara James
Athletic Director
Coach Tara James was a two-sport athlete (basketball and cross country) at Kennesaw State University and she graduated from MTSU with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. Prior to her tenure at PCA, she served as an Assistant Girls Basketball Coach at Riverdale High School and then Head Girls Basketball Coach at Cannon County High School. Under her leadership, the PCA athletic program has grown tremendously.
In addition to the above experience and skills, Tara’s personal qualities make her a perfect fit for this position. Her authenticity and zeal for the Lord and our community are evident to all who come in contact with her. Tara had this to say about her platform within the athletics department, "I am incredibly flattered, thankful, honored, excited, and have so many other wonderful emotions about this HUGE opportunity. I love our school and will work very hard to follow the plan that God has for us."
Athletic Schedules
Providence Christian Academy Athletics recognizes the finer and nobler pursuits in our three pillars and core values. Upon this foundation and within this framework is our philosophy of competition, statement of purpose, and expectations of our student-athletes, coaches and fans.
Athletic Forms
PCA has partnered with FinalForms, an online forms and data management service, for all athletics forms. FinalForms allows parents to complete and sign athletic participation forms for Logic and Rhetoric student athletes. Parents may log in or create a FinalForms account here: https://providencechristian-tn.finalforms.com/. If you require any support during the process, scroll to the page bottom and click “User Support”. If you have questions, please contact PCA Athletic Trainer, Dan Connor, at dconnor@providencechristian.com.
Athletics Philosophy
At PCA, we consistently strive to create a culture that is set apart from the competition. While we compete to win, our greater goal is to glorify God through sport, and positively impact all that we come in contact with, hoping that they will recognize something different in the PCA community. We have received positive feedback from our opposing fans many times over the years and it is our goal to maintain and enhance this culture. We regularly teach and encourage our students to cheer for our team and not against the other team. In fact, we encourage our student section and fans to go crazy cheering for our teams!
While we cheer for our teams, we regularly remind our students the following: we don’t engage the officials, we don’t boo, we don’t engage the opposing team during competition, and we don’t cheer or make noise when another team is preparing for a goal, standing at the free throw line, etc. In an effort to help our students (and all of us) welcome visiting teams, we ask all fans (parents, family members, and friends) who are attending PCA athletic events to join us in cheering for our team and creating an atmosphere that is inviting to our guests and glorifying to God. Please refrain from yelling at officials and allow our coaches to handle disputing calls when needed. This will reinforce the message we are conveying to our students and ensure that we are all on the same page. Negative behavior by adult fans continues to be a serious concern at athletic events making it difficult to recruit and retain high school officials.
We work hard to have the best possible hospitality for our officials and opposing teams because we want them to know there is something special here. We strive to utilize every interaction to introduce them to Jesus. Thank you for joining us in our mission to glorify God through PCA Athletics!