Overview: The CYM Sports program stands as the cornerstone of athletics in the Diocese of Wilmington. It serves as the central framework through which all parish, school, and ministry-based athletic activities are organized, administered, and lived out in the spirit of the Gospel. Through its predecessors, CYM Sports has provided and administered this ministry for nearly a century. With full transparency and clear safeguards, our highly robust and comprehensive athletic program continues to lead in innovation, adaptation, and expanded opportunities within the borders of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland for all participants.
In the world of youth sports, CYM Sports is far more than a collection of leagues, divisions, or games. This comprehensive ministry integrates faith formation with physical, emotional, and spiritual development for every branch of our community, including youth, coaches, administrators, parents, and spectators. Our programs exist to equip young people and the adults who choose to walk with them through authentic, real-world experiences: the joy of competition, athletic discipline , and the lasting bonds formed within our Catholic community.
This section establishes the overarching identity, purpose, and operational structure of CYM Sports itself, along with the key functioning components of the ministry. This transparency in the operations of the program ensures that every coach, athlete, parent, spectator, and administrator understands the foundational pillars and shared vision, and sees the full framework of the CYM Sports program through its governance and representatives.
1.1 Name
- 1.1-1 The official name for youth sports and athletics programming in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington shall be known as CYM Sports.
- 1.1-1.1 Alternative names approved for use within CYM Sports includes: CYM Sports Program, CYM Sports Programming, CYM Athletics, CYM Athletics Program & Catholic Diocese of Wilmington (CDOW) Sports.
- 1.1-1.2 In rare cases such as tournament submissions or national alignment with other Catholic Youth Organizations & ministries, CYO Wilmington may be used, but remains exclusive to these instances only.
1.2 Organization
- 1.2-1 The appointed official that represents CYM Sports shall be titled the CYM Sports Coordinator.
- 1.2-1.1 Alternative names such as CYM Commissioner, CYM Sports Director, Director of Athletics, Director of Youth Sports, & Diocesan CYM Sports Coordinator may be used, based on their official assignment made by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
- 1.2-1.2 The CYM Sports Coordinator is employed by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
- 1.2-1.3 The CYM Sports Coordinator is responsible for coordinating all CYM activities involving athletics’ and ensures compliance with the Diocesan Safe Environments standards.
- 1.2-1.4 The primary functions of the CYM Sports Coordinator includes:
- Acting as liaison to leader(s) of a CYM parish/school-based program;
- Serve as sports-minded professional for CDOW/CYM;
- Governs any and all disciplinary issues regarding athletic organization and administration;
- Appoints members to the Diocesan-specific sports committee(s);
- Provides support for cooperation between all affiliated associations;
- Updates to athletics’ handbook;
- Contracts, retains, and oversees individual sports-specific coordinators;
- Manages finances for all athletic programming;
- Serves as the official rules interpreter for the program;
- Establishes rules and policies pertaining to individual sports and the overall program.
- 1.2-5 The CYM Sports Coordinator will have the final decision in all matters related to athletic administration.
- 1.2-2 The appointed official that oversees the CYM Sports Coordinator shall be the Director for Catholic Youth, Young Adult, and Family Ministry.
- 1.2-3 The appointed official that represents supportive tasks in-office for CYM Sports shall be titled the CYM Office Coordinator.
- 1.2-3.1 Alternative names such as Administrative Assistant, CYM Programs and Logistics Coordinator, or CYM Sports Assistant may be used, based on their assignment made by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
- 1.2-4 All appointed or designated officials that represent sport’s leadership in CYM shall be titled CYM “sport-specific” Coordinator, or CYM Coordinator.
- 1.2-4.1 The current designated CYM Coordinators are: CYM Boys’ Basketball Coordinator, CYM Girls’ Basketball Coordinator, CYM Cross-Country Coordinator, CYM Track & Field Coordinator and CYM Officials Coordinator.
- 1.2-4.2 The CYM Coordinator(s) is a stipend, part-time position through the CYM Office.
- 1.2-4.3 The CYM Coordinator(s) is responsible for assisting in the administrative organization of league and execution of programming.
- 1.2-4.4 The primary functions of the CYM Coordinator(s) includes:
- Prepare agenda and attend sports-specific pre & post season meetings when applicable;
- Coordinate with game officials for assignment of officials, referees and/or umpires;
- Review prepared game schedules for season;
- Attend Championships and present Championship trophies;
- Work with sports-specific ambassadors for the exchanging of rule recommendations to the office;
- Review sports handbooks for accuracy and recommend revisions.
- Protect the best interest of the Office for Catholic Youth Ministry in specific sport within the mission.
- Serve as lead representative for CYM in selected sport.
- 1.2-4.5 The CYM Coordinators are the only recognized and official sport’s specific coordinators recognized in CYM Sports.
- 1.2-5 The name of the office for the organization of athletics is collectively known as The Office for CYM Sports or CYM Sports Office.
- 1.2-5.1 The CYM Sports Office falls as a branch of the Catholic Youth Organization Inc. or Office for Catholic Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
- 1.2-5.2 The Office for Catholic Youth, Young Adult, and Family Ministry falls as a branch of the Catholic Schools Office.
- 1.2-6 The members of the CYM Sports Organization, including all office personnel, coordinators, committee members, and designated-representatives of the CYM Sports Office are collectively known as Diocesan CYM Sports Leadership.
- 1.2-6.1 Alternative names such as CYM representative, CYM Sports representative, and/or CYM Sports Watcher may be used on an individual level when referring to office representation.
- 1.2-6.2 Affiliated program administrators and coaches are exclusively representative of their home parish and/or school, and participate in the CYM Sports program.
1.3 Purpose & Philosophy
- 1.3-1 The Office for Catholic Youth Ministry’s Sports Program is an important component of the comprehensive approach to youth ministry in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
- 1.3-2 CYM Athletic programs promote Christian attitudes while encouraging healthy physical activity.
- 1.3-3 CYM Athletic programs follow core pillars that govern our athletic organization, and all are held to fundamental values:
- Cooperation
- Respect
- Sportsmanship
- Responsibility
- Leadership
- Competitiveness
- Fairness
- Courtesy
- Self Control
- Discipline
1.4 Mission
- 1.4-1 The Office for Catholic Youth Ministry empowers parishes, schools, and ministries within the Diocese of Wilmington to serve the Church by equipping and accompanying young people and the adults who walk with them to have authentic encounters with Jesus Christ and become true missionary disciples of the Gospel in the world. – We accomplish this mission by hosting dynamic spiritual events, facilitating leadership and formation opportunities for young people and adults, and promoting Christian values through the CYM Sports program.
1.5 Vision
- 1.5-1 Rooted in the 1935 formation of the Catholic Athletic Council, and developed over 60 years through the C.Y.O era, CYM Sports prepares youngsters within the boundaries of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington to effectively function in everyday life. Our program seeks to plant a seed of Catholic Values and assist those young persons in preparing for their future life, regardless of athletic capabilities. Our vision goes beyond the field of play and competition: to grow our community for future generations.
1.6 Athletic Advisory Committee
- 1.6-1 The committee that represents the CYM Sports Office and the Diocese of Wilmington for sports-related governing shall be known as the Athletic Advisory Committee.
- 1.6-2 The Athletic Advisory Committee, or “AAC” is the official committee and/or board that supports the efforts of CYM Sports & the CYM Sports Coordinator in the Diocese of Wilmington.
- 1.6-2.1 The Athletic Advisory Committee is appointed by the CYM Sports Coordinator.
- 1.6-2.2 The Athletic Advisory Committee shall consist of a minimum of 12 members with a maximum of 17 members.
- 1.6-2.3 The Athletic Advisory Committee assists with maintaining quality athletic programs while fostering Christian attitudes.
- 1.6-2.4 The Athletic Advisory Committee assists with collectively reviewing and formulate opinions in the best interest of the athletic program.
- 1.6-2.5 The Athletic Advisory Committee assists with providing collective guidance to CYM Office.
- 1.6-2.6 The Athletic Advisory Committee and its members can be suspended, excused, or dismissed at any time.
- 1.6-2.7 The Athletic Advisory Committee must have a quorum when meeting for valid discussions to be considered or authorized.
- 1.6-3 Members of the Athletic Advisory Committee represent many segments of the community and various athletic programs, including but not limited to: present and past coaches, present and past administrators, present and past diocesan employees, state agency representatives and professionals in various disciplines.
- 1.6-3.1 Members function to ensure compliance with rules within the context of the basic philosophy of CYM, and hold accountability to affiliated participants when called upon.
- 1.6-3.2 The CYM Sports Coordinator, Directory of Catholic Youth, Young Adult & Family Ministry, & Superintendent of Catholic Education are ex-officio members of this committee.
- 1.6-3.3 All appointed members are to sign various forms and conduct themselves with impartiality and unbiasedness at all times, regardless of affiliation.
- 1.6-3.4 All appointed members must avoid conversation and keep active roles in the Athletic Advisory Committee in confidence, as well as with fellow colleagues participation in the committee. This is honored upon the conclusion of involvement within CYM Sports or the AAC.
- 1.6-4 The AAC shall remain anonymous to the public, and not be disclosed directly to athletic association representatives or the community.
1.7 Branding & Marketing
- 1.7-1 The primary logo is the CYM Cross, depicting adults lifting up youth participants to the cross.
- 1.7-1.1 The primary color is Forest Green. (HEX #015949 | RGBA 1, 89, 73 | HSL 169, 98, 18)
- 1.7-1.2 The secondary color is Royal Blue. (HEX #024da0 | RGBA 2, 77, 160 | HSL 212, 98, 32)
- 1.7-1.3 The alternative color is White (HEX #ffffff | RGBA 255, 255, 255 | HSL 0, 0, 100) & Sunset Orange (HEX #fcc32e | RGBA 252, 195, 46 | HSL 43, 97, 58)
- 1.7-2 No third-party organization or business is authorized to utilize, market, outreach, or promote any event or programming with “CYM” or “CYM Sports” branding without the expressed written consent of the Catholic Youth Organization Inc. Wilmington.