Date

10-14-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)

Chair

Laurie E. Thompson

Keywords

Coaching, Athletics, Wrestling

Disciplines

Educational Leadership

Abstract

There is a systemic lack of deliberate discipleship in Christian athletics, specifically observed in the wrestling program at Trinity Christian Academy. Despite professed faith, coaches and athletes lacked a systematic, theologically viable method for integrating biblical truth into training, competition, and team leadership. This project created and implemented the Game Plan for Godly Leadership handbook, a resource integrating Scripture, mentorship protocols, leadership principles, and assessment tools for the wrestling context. The handbook was developed as part of a strategic plan designed for implementation across two academic years and two wrestling seasons; however, the documented implementation and assessment period occurred from late June through July 28, 2026. During this period, seven participants (two coaches and five athletes) engaged with the framework and completed the documented assessment activities. Descriptive findings indicated positive short-term changes in understanding of godly leadership, intentional discipleship, confidence in leading others, faith integration, and accountability. Qualitative responses highlighted intentional discipleship, coach modeling, coach-athlete relationships, and servant leadership. Because the assessment period was brief and no comparison group was used, the findings do not establish causality, statistical significance, long-term character transformation, or sustained team-culture change. The project provides preliminary evidence of feasibility and participant acceptance while identifying the need for continued implementation and longitudinal assessment.

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