Department of Athletics Mission Statement

As we begin the new school year, here's the statement that guides who we are and what we do in Athletics:

The Department of Athletics and Physical Education promotes the mission of Bates College by providing appropriate gender-equitable athletic opportunities that enhance the overall liberal arts undergraduate experience. The members of the Athletics Department are professional educators who are committed to the intellectual, physical and personal development of all students. Consistent with Bates College’s national reputation, the Department offers programs that strive for excellence and seek distinction within the New England Small College Athletic Conference and at the national level. The Athletics Department and its programs play a critical role in building community among students, faculty, staff, and alumni as well as in the Lewiston-Auburn area.

Departmental Kick-Off Meeting

I just submitted to the Dean of the Faculty a summary report of our year long review of all the Athletic Department programs (intercollegiate sports, club sports, Physical Education, intramural). Now it's time to finalize the agenda for our departmental kick-off meeting scheduled for this Thursday.

At that meeting we'll introduce any new personnel - this year only some assistant coaches as thankfully, we did not have to hire any new head coaches.

We'll also review some of our fundamental principles:

- Communication/Consideration: we need to talk to one another and whenever possible, put ourselves in the other person's shoes, particularly those who have a support role: trainers, equipment managers, SID, other support staff; and they should do the same with the coaches

- Academic primacy: we have to constantly advance the notion that the athletics experience is every bit as educational as the classroom experience and it complements the training in other disciplines; we are all educators

- Diversity and inclusion: we have to be actively modeling how to value diversity and how to be inclusive, not just when it comes to racial/ethnic differences but differences of every kind. Help student-athletes realize the strength that is derived from differences and the damage that prejudicial language causes; we all have to confront the latter

- Sportsmanship: we play extremely hard but fair; by the rules and we conduct ourselves with the highest ethical principles and have that expectation of our athletes

We'll also go over some key policies that we have put in place, that every student-athlete reads and signs that they agree to abide by:

- Student-Athlete Code of Ethics

- Hazing Policy – zero tolerance/responsibility to educate and confront

- Alcohol Policy

- Spectator Code

Lastly, we'll have each staff person highlight anything in their area of responsibility that is relevant to the whole group.

Bates Field Hockey in Argentina

The Bates Field Hockey team is currently on a trip to Argentina. Check out their trip blog: http://batesfieldhockey.blogspot.com/

Department Committee Structure

Just finished our A-Team meeting and confirmed the following for our department standing committees structure this year. At a minimum, the committees meet prior to our monthly department staff meetings and report out their deliberations and recommendations to the group.

Academics and Curriculum Committee

The Committee is the vehicle for shaping the education curriculum (academic and activity courses) for the Physical Education program. Every full-time member of the Department will be involved in sharing the teaching load in these courses. This can be done via a “team teaching” system, guest speakers, and other methods as approved by the Committee.

The Committee will consider requests for Short Term Unit for independent study programs and will recommend to the Department Chair a list of acceptable projects. All student Short Term Unit requests will also be considered by the Committee and then recommended to the Department Chair.

Awards Committee

The main responsibility of the Awards Committee is the organization and presentation of the Annual Awards Banquet. Additionally, the Committee will assist with the organization and presentation of the Scholar-Athlete Society Dinner. The Committee will also administer the awards policies and procedures of the Department in the consideration and awarding of all Department-associated recognitions and awards. The Committee will make recommendations to the Department about the establishment of any new awards. Lastly, the Committee will recommend improvements to the display of Department awards and implement those recommendations that are approved.

Student-Athlete Programming/Staff Professional Development Committee

The Committee is responsible for developing and implementing educational, personal development and leadership training programs for the student-athletes as well as general professional development opportunities for the Athletic Department staff. The goal is to provide at least one program per semester for the general student-athlete population and similarly, one professional development session per semester for the staff.

Communications, Promotions & Marketing Committee

The Committee is responsible for making recommendations for improving communications within the Department as well as with the campus community and externally to the immediate local community and beyond. Similarly, the Committee is responsible for making recommendations for improved visibility, promotion and marketing of the Department in general, the individual sport programs and Departmental events. The Committee is also responsible for assisting in the implementation of those recommendations that are approved.

Technology Committee

The Committee will assess the department’s needs involving computing, telecommunications, media services and any other technology related areas. Based on these assessments, the Committee will recommend improvements, upgrades and new directions for the department to consider.

Getting down to business this week - tomorrow is our 1st Administrative Team meeting for the new school year (A-Team = me and the three assistant directors) . Yes, despite the weather, for all intents and purposes, the summer is over and we are now back at it.

We have to finalize the summary report for the programs review that we worked on last year; plan the agenda for the department's kick-off meeting which is less than two weeks away; finalize how we want to do the orientation session for the 1st year student-athletes, update our relevant policies and procedures (e.g., Code of Ethics, Alcohol Policy, Hazing Policy, Spectator Conduct Code, etc.).

Brief clip from Phyllis Graber Jensen's work for College and Media Relations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb5TWKuSdHw

While we're doing YouTube clips, here's one from the Bobcat Statue unveiling: http://bit.ly/M1g4Q

Thanks to Andy Walter, SID, now linked to AD's Page on Bates College Athletic site: http://www.bates.edu/x20823...

Year End Report Summary

This is our jumping off point as we look toward the coming year in Bates Athletics:

DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09

Summary of Accomplishments

NCAA National Collegiate Skiing Championships - Bates did a fantastic job of hosting the competition that brought DI as well as DIII teams and individuals to the area from throughout the country. Moreover, it was the department’s 2^nd hosting of a national championship in a ten month span. The Ski teams ended up finishing 13^th in the nation, up a couple of spots from last year.

Tennis National Championship – Ben Stein and Amrit Rupasinghe won the first-ever NCAA Doubles title and Stein finished as the National Runner-up in Singles.

Women’s Rowing NCAA Runner-up – the 2^nd place finish is the highest ever by a Bates team.

Men’s Rowing to Henley Regatta – capping the best season in the program’s history, the Men’s team traveled to England and rowed this summer in the sport’s most prestigious event.

Progams Review – undertook a year-long study of all Athletic Department programs (intercollegiate, PE, club, intramural).

Competitiveness – overall increase in wins and in NESCAC victories; higher NCAA finishes in Women’s Rowing, Alpine/Nordic Skiing, Women’s Swimming, Women’s Indoor Track, Women’s Outdoor Track; Softball’s first-ever appearance in the NESCAC Tournament; finished 56^th in NACDA Director's Cup standings, the 6th highest finish amongst NESCAC schools compared to last year’s 77^th place Director’s Cup finish and 9^th amongst NESCAC schools.

Garcelon Field Project – initiated the planning to raise $6-7 million for the renovation of Garcelon Field (artificial turf, lights) as well as the grandstands and press box.

NESCAC Cross Country Championships – successfully hosted the Men’s and Women’s Championships with terrific feedback from many of the participants.

Facilities Improvements – replaced the treadmills and bikes in the Merrill Cardio room and added more elliptical trainers; upgraded the Davis Fitness Center with 10 power rack stations while also increasing the room’s overall capacity. The newly completed Joseph Woodhead Throwing Area in Merrill Gym was officially dedicated during an FBA-supported alumni event.

Friends of Bates Athletics – expanded the number and variety of FBA-sponsored events and for the 2^nd consecutive year exceeded 1000 donors and $200,000 in contributions.

Andrew Byrnes Celebration – celebrated the ’05 rower’s Olympic gold medal with a team function and a dinner in his honor and a special awards ceremony.

Communications – broadened and strengthened communication efforts with seasonal letters to the campus community, FBA E-letters, the creation of a Bobcats Facebook page, a Bobcats Twitter site, webcasting expansion, a televised broadcast on WYNETV and a presentation to the Bates College Board of Trustees.

Advancement Assistance – AD served as program speaker on S. Florida trip with presentations to three Bates alumni clubs.

Educational Programming – orientation program for 1^st year student-athletes, John Underwood alcohol education (coach/athlete sessions), Nancy Clark (coach/dining/athletes) nutrition sessions.

Game Face Exhibit – first public art exhibit in New Commons comprising a series of photos entitled: “What Does a Female Athlete Look Like?” Also conducted a “Gender Images and Issues In Sport” panel in conjunction with the exhibit, co-hosted by the Women & Gender Studies program.

Zip Cars – inaugurated a department Zip Car membership in an effort to save on staff transportation expenses and to lessen our environmental impact.

Bates Scholar-Athlete Society Induction Ceremonies – Successfully convened the 5^th Annual BSAS ceremony inducting 28 of the best and brightest Bates student-athletes along with four alumni and one faculty member.

Senior Student-Athletes BBQ – Hosted the 2^nd annual reception to acknowledge and thank the senior student-athletes for their contributions to Bates and the athletics program. In a cost-saving measure, the function also replaced the annual Awards Dessert Reception by presenting the senior awards.