Blue Devil Philosophy, Priorities & Core Values

The Blue Devil athletic program at Huntington High School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School is set for 2024/25 with junior varsity and varsity football teams kicking off practice this past Monday and all other high school sports beginning on Monday, August 26. Finley teams will open the fall season when classes resume.

During the 2024/25 school year, Huntington UFSD will offer students a comprehensive athletic program that includes 34 varsity level teams; 16 JV teams and 25 middle school teams for a total of 75 Blue Devil athletic teams.

The Blue Devil’s philosophy, program objectives and core values are all closely aligned with the Huntington School District’s overall mission and have been emphasized with coaches, who are sharing it with the student-athletes under their direction.

District Mission

Recognizing the strengths of our district’s traditions, its history of community support, the diversity of our population and our commitment to educational excellence, the mission of the Huntington Union Free School District is to educate students by effectively teaching an enriched body of knowledge through the active participation of all students, building upon their unique talents and abilities to produce creative, self-assured, responsible citizens who are capable of critical thought and action.

Blue Devil Program Philosophy

Huntington strives to provide the most student-focused athletic experience available in any school district in the country. We seek to promote excellence in athletics without compromising in any way our integrity, commitment to the rules of fair play and academic excellence.

We put students first in everything we do. Our athletic program seeks to reflect our educational program as we nurture a culture of hard work, discipline and desire while valuing and respecting our teammates, opponents, coaches, officials and fans.

Participants are encouraged to create a balance between academics, athletics and social activities. While working to be champions, we strive to provide an atmosphere that offers an opportunity for social, emotional and cultural growth and development.

Huntington Athletic Priorities

• To provide positive and meaningful interscholastic athletic experiences to as many students as possible.

• To emphasize that making the effort to win is more important than winning itself and to encourage and recognize that effort.

• To acknowledge that the true value of sports to the student is in the enjoyment derived from the activity itself and from the relationships developed among coaches and players in practice as well as games.

• To promote fellowship, leadership and teamwork in a competitive environment.

• To motivate student-athletes to seek excellence in study, work and play.

• To develop a high level of physical fitness.

• To emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play.

• To eliminate all possibilities which tend to weaken the best values of the game.

• To stress the value derived from playing the game fairly.

• To exhibit courtesy to visiting teams and officials.

• To establish a healthy relationship between visitors and hosts.

• To respect the integrity and judgment of sports officials.

• To achieve a thorough understanding and acceptance of the rules of the game and the standards of eligibility.

• To recognize that the purpose of athletics is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social and emotional well-being of the individual athletes.

• To remember that an athletic contest is a game and not a matter of life or death for player, coach, school, official, fan, community, state or nation.

Blue Devil Core Values

Excellence: We expect to train, compete and win at the highest level while striving to be the best athletically, academically and in life.

Integrity: We play by the rules and act with integrity, honesty and personal responsibility in everything we do.

Teamwork: Together we are stronger. We practice hard and play hard. We play to win.

Tradition: We welcome new ideas while respecting what representing Huntington has meant to our predecessors. We build upon our traditions developed since 1910.

Service: We promote a “we before me” philosophy and believe we exist to serve others. We are paying it forward in thought, word and deed.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: We cultivate a culture of respect and diversity by welcoming everyone to the Blue Devil family. We recognize the uniqueness of each student-athlete and their ability to make us stronger.

Passion: We have an unquenchable passion for wearing a Blue Devil uniform and representing Huntington. We pursue our goals with enthusiasm and pride.