Blue Devil Philosophy, Priorities & Core Values

The Blue Devil athletic program at Huntington High School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School is set for 2025/26 with junior varsity and varsity football teams kicking off practice this past Monday and all other high school sports beginning on Monday, August 25. Finley teams will open the fall season when classes resume.

During the 2025/26 school year, Huntington UFSD will offer students a comprehensive athletic program that includes 36 varsity level teams; 16 JV teams and 25 middle school teams for a total of 77 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

Our mission is to nurture the whole child academically, socially and emotionally by providing all students with meaningful opportunities and experiences within a caring environment, empowering them to become compassionate and productive members of their community.

District Vision

Empathy, excellence and high expectations move us forward as a united community. Together, we learn, grow, and thrive, celebrating achievements and inspiring one another to reach new heights. Together, we succeed.

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 or 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.

Our 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.

Respect & We cultivate a culture of respect and diversity by welcoming

Diversity everyone into 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.