Our Core Values
1. Loyalty.
We are, above all else, loyal. We believe in loyalty to our players and family is because without them we serve no purpose. We are loyal teammates because they are the ones in the trenches with us fighting for our mission to make them better players. We will be loyal to ourselves and to these core values; because they will shape us and define what we believe will make us successful.
2. Led by Example
We cannot lead if we are not willing to do. We cannot teach or expect anyone to follow our lead if we have not done the work ourselves and set the standard on what to do and how to do it.
3. Go the Extra Mile
We will always go the extra mile for the Southern Illinois Black Sox, for our coaches, players, and family’s. We will strive to exceed people’s expectations at everything we do, and we do so with enthusiasm. We understand going the extra mile for players and family’s results in word of mouth, which is the driving force behind real growth. We strive to WOW people with our training…it’s not just something we say, it’s something we do, and our daily actions reflect this
4. Stay Humble
We stay humble and practice humility when it comes to our team’s progress and accomplishments. We as coaches do not take credit for our individual team success but instead give credit to the players and family’s that put in the hard work that made the success possible. We always give credit to others for a job well done, and we accept full responsibility when things go poorly.
5. Be Disciplined
We are self-motivated to stay on-task and get the job done. We are driven and focused on growing the S.I. Black Sox organization, and the players with-in it, from the big picture all the way down to the finite details of every task we take on. We are strong enough to hold ourselves accountable.
6. Accept Responsibility
We always accept full responsibility for our actions and performance. When we identify an issue or task, we will see it thru to completion. We will not shift blame.
7. Take Initiative
We do not wait to be told to do something. When we see something that needs to be done. we do it. We do not sit and wait for someone to tell us the next step to take. We anticipate the path and work accordingly toward that goal. We find our own carrots and hold them for ourselves knowing that improving the players and teams benefits us all.
8. Build Positive & Fun Relationships
We work to build positive and fun relationships both internally and externally. In addition, we know the success of the organization is built upon this. Consistently making efforts to build strong relationships with everyone we encounter creates strong bonds and friendships that ultimately creates lifetime bonds and loyalty to the organization. We can lose players and families, but we can never lose friends.
9. Always Be Learning
We are always learning and striving to better the organization and ourselves. We believe in taking the time to learn things to better the organization and ourselves. We know learning is essential on growing as a coach and player and has a direct impact on the organization. We work to get better every day and constantly push ourselves for personal growth, so we can bring the best out of the player and the teams.
10. Be Selfless
We don’t seek out personal gain from what we do and the decisions we make, instead we make decisions based on what’s best for the player and team. We ultimately believe what is best for the player is best for the organization.
11. Be Enthusiastic
We are enthusiastic about being a part of the Southern Illinois family. Our enthusiasm and passion for what we do here carry through all levels of our performance in everything we do both at the Ranch and on the field. Working and Playing at Southern Illinois is not a job it’s a lifestyle and we are loyal and dedicated to our cause and live our lives by the values that Southern Illinois Black Sox stand for.
12. Believe
We believe in the big picture and trust the process and the direction we are all collectively going. We believe in these core values, and live by them both on and off the field