AD's Fall Note To Campus Community

"I have seen throughout my life how we as a people can rise to a challenge, embrace change and renew our destiny."      
      -- Senator Ted Kennedy 

Dear Bates Community and Friends,

Hopefully this isn’t a form of plagiarism, but after President Spencer’s inspiring references to the late Senator in her Convocation address, it seemed appropriate to piggyback on her comments by borrowing one of his quotes for my annual fall note.  As the College embarks on a new year and in some ways a new era, challenges are definitely in front of us; much change is anticipated so there will plenty of opportunity for embracing; and with the start of each school year, we renew, if not quite our destiny, certainly our commitment to the legacy of the “emancipating potential of the liberal arts”.  The mission statement that proclaims this dedication also speaks to Bates educating the whole person and preparing leaders.  Our Athletic program continues to contribute to the Bates promise, particularly in these latter two areas and toward this end, we look to build on last year’s achievements that included:

- Continuing the Bates Ally initiative with an Allies Rally II in October on National Coming Out Day that saw nearly 1000 members of the campus community sign the Bates Ally pledge.  Also this past spring, Athletics partnered with the Athletics Committee as well as OutFront, the Office of Intercultural Education, Women & Gender Studies and the Library to sponsor Pride Week Movie Night featuring the film “Training Rules” followed by a panel discussion of homophobia in college sports.

- Expanding on our annual captains’ leadership training session to create a year-round captains/team leaders enterprise featuring monthly education, community service, and social programming for the team captains and designated team leaders. 

- A productive year for The “Getting It Done” peer mentoring program, comprising upper class athletes counseling younger participants about succeeding academically while participating in a varsity sport and making the transition to college life.

- Sponsoring the first ever Lewiston/Auburn Community Day with local families invited to campus for a day of free coaches clinics, youth games on the athletic facilities and campus tours.

- Partnering with the Career Development Center and Friends of Bates Athletics to host a very successful G.A.M.E. Day (Gaining from Athletic Mentors’ Experience) that featured alumni athletes back on campus to share their post-Bates experiences and strategies with current athletes.

- Safe Spaces training and certification undertaken by a dozen coaches and staff members.

- Recognizing 57 Scholar-Athletes (above 3.67 GPA) and 88 on the Academic Honor Roll (3.47-3.66 GPA)

- The Student-Athlete Advisory Council’s 5th Annual SAAC Field Day with a couple hundred athletes hosting well over 200 local children, mainly from the Somali/Bantu community, on campus for a day of games and activities.

And yes, with Amore ac Studio, the Athletic program also continues to support the pursuit of competitive excellence and achieved that last year in a number of areas including national finishes/rankings in several sports: Women’s Rowing (2), Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field Combined (4), Men's Cross Country (7), Men’s Indoor Track & Field (9), Women’s Squash (12), Alpine & Nordic Skiing (13), Men’s Tennis (14), Men’s Squash (15), Men’s Outdoor Track (20), Women’s Lacrosse (20).  Additionally, Football enjoyed their best season in a decade; Men’s Basketball advanced to the NESCAC Semis; Men’s Indoor Track & Field won the New England & ECAC Championships; Men’s/Women’s Indoor Track had 9 All-Americans including David Pless who repeated as the NCAA Indoor Shot Put National Champion; Men’s Rowing had their best-ever showing at the National Invitational Rowing Championships; Men’s Outdoor Track & Field won the State of Maine, NESCAC and ECAC Championships; Baseball surpassed the 20 victory mark for the 3^rd consecutive year; Softball tied the school record for most wins; Al Fereshetian was named Coach of the Year for each of the three seasons (Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track); Peter Steenstra was named NESCAC Coach of the Year for both Men’s and Women’s Rowing; Paul Gastonguay was named Men’s Tennis ITA Northeast Region Coach of the Year; and Bates finished 46th in the NACDA Director’s Cup out of about 450 schools in DIII.

So as we get underway, I provide my annual reminder that for the 800+ students competing in 31 varsity sports and the 200+ involved in 13 club sport programs, your recognition and support of their efforts to pursue their athletic passion while they also work to excel in the classroom, is priceless.  Thank you and have a great year rising to the challenges, embracing the changes and renewing your commitment to the Bates legacy!

Kevin