Fall 2007 Letter to Campus Community

As I prepare to write my annual letter to the campus community, thought it would be helpful to re-visit previous ones from the past couple of years. First one:

“Isn’t athletics the sweatiest of the liberal arts?”

- Drew A. Hyland, Charles A. Dana Professor of Philosophy, Trinity College

Dear Bates College Faculty, Staff & Friends,

While some may debate Dr. Hyland’s assertion, our student-athletes can certainly attest to its veracity. Student-athletes put so much time and effort into their sport not because they see varsity athletics as merely an extracurricular activity, but rather, because it is a crucial component of their life and a profound learning experience. Bill Coplin, professor of public policy at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, observes that intercollegiate athletics is almost unique in its ability to help participants develop professional competencies such as critical thinking, time management, teamwork, goal-oriented behavior, competitiveness, confidence, persistence/endurance, loyalty, discipline, taking criticism, dealing with setbacks, leadership, flexibility and adaptability.

As I begin my athletic director tenure at Bates and as a new year of Bobcat athletics commences, I believe that it is important to articulate this co-curricular aspect of the varsity sports endeavor. The young men and women who will compete in 30 intercollegiate sports throughout the year comprise approximately half of the student body at the College. These student-athletes seek to excel in their chosen sport just as they strive to distinguish themselves in their academic pursuits; the two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the cognitive abilities and forms of intelligence developed through athletic participation complement the training that student-athletes receive in their academic discipline.

In addition to these developmental and cognitive premiums realized by our student-athletes, the other most significant reward for them is the knowledge that their efforts are valued by the Bates College community. Your attendance at their competitions is the most concrete corroboration that their athletic involvement is important and is a valuable component of their Bates education.

Attached is a schedule card detailing the upcoming Fall varsity sport contests. I ask that you attend as many of these events as possible and support our student-athletes as they add to the rich tradition that is Bates College Athletics. For the contests you can’t make, check the updates and details on the athletics web site as our student-athletes seek to continue to excel in the “sweatiest of the liberal arts”!

Thank you and GO BOBCATS!

Kevin McHugh

Director of Athletics &

Chair of the Dept. of Physical Education