Building Moral Character Through “Catholic Athletes for Christ’s Program” At the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey

Author

Neiser Cardenas, Seton Hall UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

EdD Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Department

Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Advisor

Michael Kuchar, PhD

Committee Member

Christopher Tienken, EdD

Committee Member

Brian Zychowski, EdD

Keywords

Sportsmanship, Moral Development, Moral Identity, Living Charity, Catholic Spirituality.

Abstract

The tendency to care more for the business than the human being has increased the problem of unethical conduct in sports. Catholic schools, along with their limited resources, have worked over the last few decades to be better organized, more competitive academically, and more focused on social and moral responsibility. Unsportsmanlike behaviors go against the teachings and values of the Roman Catholic Church, so Catholic schools have the mission to minimize the problem.

This qualitative study explored whether combining sports activity and teaching Christian virtues could help student-athletes reduce unsportsmanlike behaviors. This study aimed to identify the success factors that characterize the CAC Program. Catholic athletic programs are known throughout the country for producing good teams and athletes, but they are also sometimes known for behaviors that represent the dark side of high school competitions that reflect values that place winning more than anything else.

Recommended Citation

Cardenas, Neiser, "Building Moral Character Through “Catholic Athletes for Christ’s Program” At the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey" (2024). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 3155.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/3155