Philosophy

The administration of Incarnate Word Academy believes that interscholastic athletics are an integral part of the total school curriculum.  Participation should complement the total educational experience, contributing to the student-athlete's health, physical skills, emotional maturity, and moral values.  A sound athletic program teaches the student-athletes the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility, and self-discipline.  Our staff will encourage the athletes to strive for their highest possible level of achievement, so that with victory or defeat an athlete will learn valuable lessons that will be beneficial throughout the athlete's lifetime.

Incarnate Word Academy is committed to fostering an athletic program rooted in Christian values.  It is important to the educational nature of athletic events to stress the type of exemplary Christian behavior that should be exhibited by all players and spectators at IWA events.  The positive actions by a coach, athlete or spectator at an event can influence how our school is perceived in our own community and the communities of those schools we meet on the field of play.

Chris Jaco
Athletic Director
cjaco@iwacademy.org
Ext 217

Mr. Jaco attended Jackson High School in Jackson, MO, and continued on to Southwest Missouri State University where he received a B.S. in physical education and health.  He completed his master’s degree at Southeast Missouri State University in Administration in 2000. Before coming to IWA, Jaco worked with the triple A team for the Kansas City Royals, UNO hockey and Creighton men’s and women’s basketball teams. Mr. Jaco was on the staff at Parkway Central as head wrestling coach for four years and football coach for two.  He is married and has two sons, Trenton and Blake.