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.