Bates Bobcat Flash

Bates Swimming Update

2012-01-25T14:01:00.001-05:00

Just a quick note to update you on the season. With over 60 athletes on the team right now the coaching has been very busy - and not as good at 'meet recaps' as I had hoped! Needless to say, below is a great article on Tom Boniface, our senior captain. Earlier this year he was chosen as the Division III swimmer of the week by CollegeSwimming.com. The highest honor possible. Last week his 1:46.0 victory in the 200 free against Bowdoin, coupled with his 53 in the 100 fly against Colby the following day, led him to "NESCAC Swimmer of the Week" honors! The really great thing about the 100 fly is that Tom rarely swims that event - he specializes in the 100/200 free and 200 IM. Also, with 3 events remaining we had a 2 point lead over Colby when Tom stepped up. He dove in and led his fellow teammates to a 1-2-3 sweep that secured the victory for us. It was a tremendous moment in the meet - and as the head coach, I couldn't have asked for more from my captain.

This semester has been very good so far. In my five years at Bates we experienced 2 NESCAC Swimmers of the Week awards prior to this January... and now we have received that honor our past two weekends. Simply put, these are a big deal for us. Being honored in the best swimming conference in the country is something we take seriously. For years the team has seen me post NESCAC Swimmer of the Week honors won by other programs - always with extraordinarily talented individuals and times. It is great to see Bates on the bulletin board now, and they are starting to believe we are part of that elite group.

As for the whole team... well, our men beat Midd for the first time in 21 years January 8th. I have gotten a few messages from alums that were on that team. Very cool! Both teams also took down Colby last weekend in convincing fashion, which always feels good. Our meet against Bowdoin looks lopsided with them winning handily, but to be honest I am very happy with how we performed. It was our second week of school and a Friday night dual meet after a full day of classes. Bowdoin arrived Wed from their training trip to a quiet campus on break, and you could tell their focus was pinpoint by the time we arrived. We had over 70 in-season bests in a losing cause... unfortunately, Bowdoin just looked amazing. We'll see how things fair at conferences (and we clearly have our work cut out for us if we are going to catch them) but I like where we are after a meet in the middle of January - and I like the trajectory we are heading in!

That's enough for now! Take care and have a great day!

In Bates,

Coach Casares

Boniface named NESCAC Swimmer of the Week

Posted by: Andy Walter on January 23, 2012

Tom Boniface '12 claimed NESCAC Men's Swimming & Diving Performer of the Week honors on Jan. 23, 2012. (File photo)

HADLEY, Mass. — Bates senior captain Tom Boniface was named NESCAC Men’s Swimming & Diving Performer of the Week today by the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

Boniface (Youngstown, Ohio) won two events in Saturday’s home dual-meet win over Colby, touching the wall first in both the 100-yard freestyle (48.90 seconds) and the 100 butterfly (53.81). He also swam a leg in Bates’ first-place 200 free relay squad (21.8).

The previous night at Bowdoin, Boniface recorded a season-best and winning time of 1:46.03 in the 200 freestyle.

Earlier this season, Boniface was named a Division III national swimmer of the week by collegeswimming.com.

View the NESCAC Swimming & Diving weekly release.

2012-01-09T11:02:00.001-05:00

I'm feelin' good from my head to my shoes
Know where I'm goin' and I know what to do
I tidied up my point of view
I got a new attitude

Patti LaBelle – New Attitude

Dear Bates Students, Faculty, Staff and Friends,

With Clayton Spencer recently appointed as the college’s 8^th president, our community seems to have a new attitude too and is poised to enter a pivotal and exciting era! It is a future filled with challenges, but as president-elect Spencer noted in her introductory address, “Part of the task ahead is, therefore, to embrace with energy and confidence what the college already does so well, even as we challenge ourselves — always — to do better. Athletics at Bates lives this approach and with that in mind, I want to take a quick look back at some of the things we did well this past fall and then look ahead to that which we can do better heading into the winter sports seasons.

Some notable successes from the first half of the year include: the solidification of “Getting It Done”, a peer mentoring program with upper class student-athletes counseling other athletes - mainly first-year students - about properly balancing academics, athletics and college life in general; a 2nd Athletics-led Bates Allies event held in conjunction with National Coming Out Day that saw nearly 1000 members of our community sign the Allies Pledge to respect and welcome all persons; the initiation of an ongoing, year-long leadership training program for all captains/team leaders; and the hosting of the 1st-ever Bates L/A Community Day featuring Lewiston/Auburn families invited to our home athletic contests, free coaches clinics for kids, tours of the campus, youth football games played on Garcelon Field, and local vendors sponsoring pumpkin decorating, face painting, giveaways, etc. Athletics also designated the Community Day as a fund-raiser for the Horn of Africa Famine Relief Effort and generated $600 that was contributed toward that cause.

On the competitive front, Men’s Cross Country finished 7^th in the country at the NCAA National Championships; Football won stirring victories over Williams, Tufts and Bowdoin and a share of the CBB title; the Men’s and Women’s Rowing teams both had excellent races at the Head of the Charles Regatta and swept the CBB chase. Additionally, Head Men’s Cross Country Coach Al Fereshetian was named NESCAC Coach of the Year, several Football, Men’s & Women’s Soccer and Field Hockey players were honored with All-NESCAC selections and Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Peter Lasagna was inducted into the Rochester Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Lastly, the fall saw the debut of the newest Bates head coaches: Kelsy Ross for Women’s Soccer and Margo Linton for Volleyball.

The winter sports programs have gotten underway successfully and the Bobcats continue to feature one of the broadest arrays of winter programs anywhere including: Men’s & Women’s Basketball, Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track, Men’s & Women’s Alpine and Nordic Skiing, Men’s & Women’s Squash, and Men’s & Women’s Swimming and Diving. In terms of that which we can do better, every participant on each of these teams expects to improve her/himself athletically, to surpass last year’s team achievements and to do all of this while excelling in their academic endeavors.

Your recognition of and support for their efforts, contributes immeasurably to their ability to succeed in all of these facets. Furthermore, by attending their events whenever possible, you personally affirm that the community recognizes and appreciates the dedication required to compete in a sport at this level while at the same time working to be the best student possible. You can view the winter sports schedule at http://www.bates.edu/sports-schedule.xml . Also, many of the contests will be webcast and you can find that schedule at: Bobcat Webcasts.

So let’s grab some of Patti LaBelle’s new attitude by “feelin’ good from our head to our shoes” about where Bates is headed, about what we do so well, and challenge ourselves to do better! Thank you and best wishes for the New Year!

Kevin McHugh

Director of Athletics

Baseball Winter Update

2011-12-22T16:27:00.000-05:00

Dear Bobcats Baseball Alumni, Parents, and Friends,

I hope that this letter finds you well as we approach the holidays and the end of 2011. At this time last year I was just taking over as the new head coach; I was trying harness the momentum our program had built and continue to progress. I can say without a doubt that we have not only continued the momentum of the past few years but have elevated our program to a new level. Now, looking forward to the 2012 season, I thought it was an appropriate time to talk to you about where the Bates baseball program has been over the last few years and where I am looking to take it.

The past two seasons have been two of the most successful years in the long history of the baseball program. Over the past two years the Bobcats baseball team has compiled a record of 46-26, the best two year span in school history. The 2011 team played the 10th hardest schedule in all of Division III which included games in Dallas, TX and Atlanta, GA. To build on that success, the 2012 schedule will feature the most games in Bates history (40) and include games in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Darien, CT. To see our schedule you can go to, http://www.bates.edu/athletics/schedule/, you can also check out our website at http://www.bates.edu/baseball/. Like many of the things we are doing with our program, the scope and the strength of our schedule has helped distinguish ourselves from many of our NESCAC opponents.

A very unique characteristic of our program is the geographic diversity of the team. Sixteen different states will be represented on the 2012 roster. To accomplish this I have spent a lot of time and resources on the recruiting trail. This summer my travels took me to California, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, Indiana, as well as all of the New England states. Our academic reputation precedes me everywhere that I go, but our recent success on the baseball field has allowed me to begin the recruiting conversation with players from all over the country. They now understand that Bates is not only a prestigious institution, it also has a great baseball program.

As our program has grown, so has the need to improve our facilities. In 2011 Leahey Field received phase one of our field upgrades with a new scoreboard and improved fencing. It is my hope that we will soon be able to begin phase two of the Leahey Field upgrades which will include a new backstop, with improved seating, and an artificial playing surface. Recently, we have also significantly upgraded the Gray Cage to make it a better indoor baseball facility. We now have two 70 foot cages that are 18 feet high and 15 feet wide. Both big enough for us to have our hitters face live pitching during the preseason. In addition to the batting cage upgrades we have also installed a permanent clay mound in one of the cages which enables our pitchers to throw off a real mound prior to our first game. Although there are still a few more upgrades that I would like to see take place, I feel as if the improvements we have made have significantly enhanced the experience of our student-athletes and have given us some of the best baseball facilities in the NESCAC.

As good as the past two seasons have been I feel that the best years of Bates baseball are still ahead of us. I believe that we are closer than ever to our first appearance in the NESCAC tournament. From there we have our sights on the New England Regional, and one day a trip to Appleton, WI for the Division III World Series. These goals may seem lofty, but I can assure you that each and every one of our players and I believe that we are within reach. I am going to continue to work as hard as I possibly can to give these players the best possible baseball experience here at Bates, and help take our program to new heights.

There are some exciting events coming up in which you can be a part of; we would love to have you join the baseball team and the Bates community in these fun events. On February 25, 2012, there will be a Baseball dinner for alumni, in Atlanta, Georgia. On April 29, 2012, we will be attending a Portland Sea Dogs game at 1pm, at Hadlock Field. Later that evening, Bates Baseball will be playing Colby at Hadlock Field as well. The game will start at 5pm; it would be fantastic to see you there supporting the program. If you like to catch up with old teammates and old friends, the 3rd Annual Bates Baseball Golf Outing will be taking place on July 23, 2012, at the Charter Oak Country Club in Hudson, MA.

It is my hope that as our program continues to grow, so will our support from alumni, parents, and friends. Your financial support allows us to make this a first class experience for our student-athletes. In order to continue playing a competitive schedule with travel, recruiting nationally, and improving the baseball facilities here at Bates we will need to raise money above our annual operating budget. In the 2011-2012 year we will spend close to $50,000 in student travel, $15,000 in facility upgrades, and an additional $2,000 in recruiting. All of this is in addition to our normal operating costs of equipment, assistant coach salaries, uniforms, umpires, etc. If you are already a consistent supporter of the Bates baseball program I hope that you will continue to support us and for those who have not supported in the past I hope that you will consider doing so in the future. http://www.community.bates.edu/fba

This is an extremely exciting time for Bates College and Bates athletics. I have been so impressed with the level of commitment from Bates to athletics and see no limit to what our student-athletes can achieve in the classroom and on the field. I am going to continue to strive for excellence with our baseball program and I look forward to having your support along the way.

All the Best,

Mike Leonard
Head Baseball Coach/Leadership Coordinator
Bates College
dleonard@bates.edu
(207) 786-6063

Bates Fall All-NESCAC Awards

2011-12-14T14:14:00.001-05:00

All-Academic
Zachary Abbott Men's Golf All-Academic
Merrill Brady Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Michelle Brady Field Hockey All-Academic
Amanda Brusca Field Hockey All-Academic
Jaimie Cappucci Women's Soccer All-Academic
Sara Chari Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Sean Colligan Men's Cross Country All-Academic
Lindsay Cullen Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Devin Dilts Men's Cross Country All-Academic
Casey Dropkin Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Rebecca Dugan Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Alicia Fannon Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Chris Gillespie Men's Soccer All-Academic
Brian Goldberg Men's Soccer All-Academic
Logan Greenblatt Men's Cross Country All-Academic
Rosemary Hale Women's Soccer All-Academic
Garrett Johnson Men's Golf All-Academic
Ryan March Men's Soccer All-Academic
Bridget Meedzan Field Hockey All-Academic
Polly Merck Field Hockey All-Academic
Sarah Merullo Field Hockey All-Academic
Katherine Nixon Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Tessa Pals Women's Golf All-Academic
Graham Pearsall Men's Cross Country All-Academic
Alie Philip Field Hockey All-Academic
Wallis Pierce Women's Soccer All-Academic
Julia Rafferty Women's Soccer All-Academic
Lisa Reedich Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Kevin Regan Football All-Academic
Samantha Rose Women's Soccer All-Academic
Nicole Santosuosso Field Hockey All-Academic
Anabel Schmelz Women's Soccer All-Academic
Natalie Shribman Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Amanda Sirianni Women's Soccer All-Academic
Kara Stefaniak Women's Soccer All-Academic
Devin Tatro Women's Cross Country All-Academic
Alix Vandeventer Women's Soccer All-Academic
Grace VanNoy Volleyball All-Academic
Sarah Warden Field Hockey All-Academic
David Wood Men's Soccer All-Academic
Andrew Wortham Men's Cross Country All-Academic

All Conference
John Murphy Men's Soccer Second Team
Elizabeth Arens Women's Soccer Second Team
Annie Burns Women's Soccer Second Team
Tully Hannan Men's Cross Country First Team
Andrew Wortham Men's Cross Country Second Team
Al Fereshestian Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year
John Squires Football First Team Offense
Kevin Helm Football First Team Defense
Kyle Starr Football Second Team Defense

All-Sportsmanship
Eric Kimball Men's Cross Country All-Sportsmanship
Merrill Brady Women's Cross Country All-Sportsmanship
Jillian Conway Field Hockey All-Sportsmanship
Pat Quinn Football All-Sportsmanship
Lee Smith Golf All-Sportsmanship
David Wood Men's Soccer All-Sportsmanship
Annie Burns Women's Soccer All-Sportsmanship
Cat Dioli Volleyball All-Sportsmanship

Bates Athletics Host L/A Community Day

2011-10-27T11:56:00.002-04:00

Hello All,

I am pleased to announce that as a result of funds raised at our first-ever L/A Community Day, the Department of Athletics is able to present a check for $600 to the Atlantic Global Aid group that is coordinating the local famine relief effort targeting the drought that is affecting Somalia and the Horn of Africa.

L/A Community Day featured several free youth instructional sport clinics run by Bates coaches; three Lewiston & Auburn youth football games that were hosted on Garcelon Field prior to the Bates Football game and at halftime; campus tours; local vendors who provided giveaways, pumpkin decorating and face-painting; Bates contests in Field Hockey, Women's Soccer, Football and Men's Soccer; a live broadcast from Garcelon Field by WOXO radio station; and of course the famine relief fund-raising effort where the Athletic Department donated the proceeds from its sale of concessions, merchandise, and game programs.

The spirit of the day was captured in the following email received from a local resident:

"I was very impressed at the way my son's youth team was treated at the Bates community day Saturday afternoon. Coach Capone gave us a great deal of his time and made the kids feel like gold. Ryan Weston was well spoken and a true gentleman with the players. Ryan sent a great message to the kids and it meant a lot to them. I know the message sunk in because later Saturday when my 4th grader was asked to do something it shocked his mom that he did it without a fight. When she asked if he was okay Storm said that the Bates coaches and player says he needs to listen to his parents if he wants to play Football. I can assure you I will certainly pass along how much class that we were shown by the Bates Football program. Thank you very much and please pass this along to Ryan."

As well as the following email from Dick Gleason, the Mayor of Auburn:

"Hi Kevin, Congratulations and thanks from the community for Saturday's outstanding events. Proof, that Bates is not an island."

Thanks again to all who helped make L/A Community Day such a success and to all of you who came out to the events,

Kevin

Student-Athlete Summer Researchers

2011-10-21T15:15:00.002-04:00

Student-Athlete Summer Research Grants, Fellowships, and Internships

From the list compiled by the Dean of Students office of all students funded by Bates to do summer research and/or conducting research with a Bates faculty member, those who are student-athletes.

Joseph Ajamu ’14 - Track: Synthesis of Spiroketal Enol Ether Natural Products (Jennifer Koviach-Côté, Chemistry), Early Career Student Research Opportunities

Brigit Anderson ’12 - Rowing: Exhumation and Paleotopography of the Presidential Range, NH, from Apatite Fission Track Ages, (J. Dykstra Eusden, Geology), Mount David Research Fellowship

Ashley Brooks ’14 - Squash: Field and Laboratory Research in Climate Reconstruction Using Sclerochronology (William Ambrose, Biology), Early Career Student Research Opportunities

Allison DiSalvo ’12 - Rowing: Effects of Developmental Hyperoxia on Spiracle Opening in Drosophila (Ryan Bavis, Biology), A. V. Davis Student Fellowship in Biology

James Epstein ’13 – Cross Country/Track: Environmental Intern, Sabbathday Lake Association, New Gloucester, ME, Otis Environmental Internship

Sarah Fallon ’12 - Swimming: Postnatal Growth and Critical Periods of the Developing Carotid Body (Ryan Bavis, Biology), INBRE Student-Faculty Grant in Biology and Biochemistry

Alicia Fannon ’13 – Cross Country/Track: The 1901 World’s Fair, Buffalo, NY (Margaret Creighton, History), Student Research Apprenticeship

Samuel Gretz ’12 - Track: Synthetic Studies of Koshikalide (Jennifer Koviach-Côté, Chemistry), O’Leary Fellowship in Chemistry or Biochemistry

Romina Istratii ’12 - Track: Toward a Less Food Insecure World: Developing a Life-Cycle Accounting-Based Model for the Better Comparison of Different Agricultural Practices (Alejandro Dellachiesa, Economics), Stangle Fellowship for Research in Economics and Law

Douglas Kempner ’12 – Cross Country/Track: How Ballot Initiatives Relate to People’s Understanding of Voting (Maine People’s Alliance), Harward Center for Community Partnerships Community-Based Research Fellowship

Kathilee Kenlock ’14 - Track: The Physics of Matter in the Vapor Phase Cooled to Nanokelvin Temperatures (Nathan Lundblad, Physics), Early Career Student Research Opportunities

Mollie Kervick ’13 - Softball: The Creative Writing Component of a Summer Camp for Local Youth (Camp Smiles, Lewiston Department of Recreation), Harward Center for Community Partnerships Community-Based Research Fellowship

Umar Ali Khan ’13 - Squash: Impact of Madrases on the Economic Growth of Pakistan (Francesco Duina, Sociology), Bates Summer Research Fellowship

Kara Leasure ’12 - Swimming: The Role of Glutamate in the Modulation of the Standard Pattern of Feeding in the Pond Snail, Helisoma trivolis (Nancy Kleckner, Biology), INBRE Student-Faculty Grant in Biology and Biochemistry

Sophie Leonard ’12 – Nordic Skiing: Mathematical Modeling of Gloeotrichia echinulata (Meredith Greer, Mathematics), Mellon Innovation Grant

Mary Lewis ’13 – Field Hockey/Softball: Translational Regulation in Diverse Prokaryotes (Paula Schlax, Chemistry), INBRE faculty grant

Kelley Madden ’12 – Cross Country/Track: Translational Regulation in Diverse Prokaryotes (Paula Schlax, Chemistry) INBRE faculty grant

Peter Miller ’12 - Rowing: Beach Monitoring, Phippsburg, ME (Michael Retelle, Geology), Small Point Operating Company faculty grant

Cody Newman ’11 - Lacrosse: Hydrodeoxygenation of Fast Pyrolysis Oil over Ruthenium Catalysts (Rachel Narehood Austin, Chemistry), Beckman Scholarship for Research in Science

Cheri-Ann Parris ’13 - Squash: Arsenic Exposure in Mice (Rebecca Sommer, Biology), A. V. Davis Fellowship in Biology

Kevin Regan ’13 - Football: Atomic Force Microscope-Based Manipulation of Plasmonic Nanoparticles (Matthew Côté, Chemistry), Hoffman Fellowship

Haley Sive ’12 - Rowing: Digital Bedrock Mapping of Small Point, ME (J. Dykstra Eusden, Geology), U.S. Geological Survey EdMap Grant

Elisabeth Sonshine ’12 - Rowing: Late Holocene Fluctuations in Eelgrass Abundance in Penobscot Bay, Gulf of Maine (Beverly Johnson, Geology), National Science Foundation faculty grant

Ross Terada ’14 - Rowing: Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) Research (Hong Lin, Physics), Early Career Student Research Opportunities

Charles Thaxton ’12 - Rowing: David Foster Wallace: Infinite Jest (Sanford Freedman, English), Bates Summer Research Fellowship

Kristina Tobin ’12 – Soccer/Track: Postnatal Growth and Critical Periods of the Developing Carotid Body (Ryan Bavis, Biology), INBRE Student-Faculty Grant in Biology and Biochemistry

Bates Allies Rally II

2011-10-13T19:20:00.001-04:00

http://home.bates.edu/admission/the-bobcat/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Cat-Country-Tracks-Bates-College-AD-Insider/56450451603?ref=share
http://twitter.com/KevinMcHughAD
http://batesbobcatflash.blogspot.com/

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Yesterday, in conjunction with National Coming Out Day, members of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and the Athletic Department staffed a table in New Commons where the campus community was invited to sign the Bates Ally Pledge and to receive a Bates Ally wristband. The Pledge reads as follows:

I pledge to help lead the Bates community to respecting and welcoming all persons, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation,gender identity, or gender expression. Beginning right now, I will do my part to promote the best of Bates College by making all persons feel respected and valued.

I am so pleased to report that we had just shy of 1,000 students, faculty and staff sign the Pledge!

The campus response was so overwhelming that, regretfully, we ran out of wristbands. But we have ordered more and I will send out an announce when those arrive so that anyone who still wishes to have a Bates Ally wristband will be able to stop by and get one.

Sincerest thanks to the SAAC who led this effort, to the Athletics staff who assisted, and to the campus community which responded in such an positive manner!

With gratitude and pride,

Kevin

Email <kmchugh@bates.edu>

Kevin McHugh

Director of Athletics & Chair of PE

Bates College

2011-09-26T16:07:00.001-04:00

Alumni Celebration Dinner

Saturday, September 24, 2011 – Alumni Gymnasium

I am pleased and proud to spotlight a number of awards given to some of our newest alums, as well as to recognize one of Bates’ hallmark athletic programs.

First, I want to salute our Senior Citation Award recipients. To qualify for a Bates Senior Citation, the candidate must clearly demonstrate accomplishment far superior to that which is normally expected of our athletes. The Citation is meant to honor those Bates athletes who, by their athletic accomplishments and demonstrated excellence, have risen to a very select, if not unique level.

Brian Ellis, Basketball (unable to be here – Teach for America in FL)

Brian graduated as the 8th all-time leading scorer in men’s basketball. He began his career being named the NESCAC Rookie of the Year and finished by passing the 1,000 career points mark, and averaging 17.5 points a game, ranking 4th in the NESCAC. He was again voted First-Team All State by the Maine Men’s Basketball Coaches and Writers Association, and earned his second All NESCAC laurels.

Ethan Waldman, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field

As a freshman at Bates, Ethan’s experience in track and field was limited, with little background in the throwing events. He participated in the pentathlon and then moved to the sprint events his sophomore year. In his junior year, Ethan found his place in the throwing events when he burst onto the New England track and field scene. He was All-New England and All-ECAC in both the shot put and discus, finished All-NESCAC (top three) in the shot put, and landed 8th on Bates’ all-time performance list in both the shot put and discus. In Ethan’s senior year his indoor season produced Maine State and ECAC DIII titles in the shot put, while breaking the indoor school record for the event. He was the runner-up at the New England DIII Indoor Championships and made his 1st trip to an NCAA Championship where he earned All-American honors. Ethan’s senior outdoor season saw him become an NCAA provisional qualifier in both the shot put and discus throw, and he won the New England DIII title in the discus, rising to 4th place on Bates’ all-time discus performances. He finished his career by competing at NCAA’s for the 2nd time that year, in the outdoor shot put.

Ben Manter, Alpine Skiing

In his first two years with the Alpine Skiing program, Ben compiled 5 top-15 carnival finishes on the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association circuit, laying the groundwork for even better things to come in his junior and senior years. As a junior and a captain of the team, he finished the regular season with 4 top 15 carnival finishes on his way to making his first appearance at the NCAA Collegiate Skiing Championships. Competing against the best collegiate skiers in the NCAA, Manter finished 26th in the giant slalom, then earned coveted NCAA All-America honors when he finished 10^th in the slalom. Ben became the 3rd Bates male to be named All-American. In his senior season, Ben continued his impressive run, adding 6 more top-15 carnival finishes to his résumé. Another trip to the NCAA’s produced a 19^th-place finish in the giant slalom and a 17^th-place finish in the slalom. More importantly, Ben’s talent, leadership and experience led the Bates combined alpine and Nordic ski teams to an 11^th place at the 2011 NCAA’s, the best national finish for the team since 1999.

Micaela Holland, Alpine Skiing

In her first year on the Eastern Collegiate Ski Association circuit, Micaela turned in 2 top-15 carnival finishes and qualified for the NCAA Collegiate Skiing Championships, where she finished 26^th in the slalom and 22^nd in the giant slalom against the best collegiate skiers in America. As a sophomore, Micaela finished the regular season with three top-15 carnival finishes and qualified for her second trip to NCAA’s. There she finished 18^th in the slalom and 31^st in the giant slalom. In her junior year, Micaela was named team captain and had two top-15 carnival finishes. She was battling a knee injury as she entered her senior year which limited her training to one day a week and caused her to miss a number of races. Nonetheless, Micaela finished her career with her best carnival finishes. She garnered four top-15 EISA carnival marks and again returned to the NCAA Championship, where she tied her best finish of 18^th place in the slalom and also notched her best finish in the giant slalom, at 20^th. As with Ben, Micaela’s performance helped lead Bates’ combined alpine and Nordic ski teams to 11^th place at NCAA’s, the team’s best showing since 1999.

Rebecca Waldo, Rowing

Rebecca became the cornerstone of the women’s rowing program from her first day on campus with many of her teammates citing Becca as being the most influential athlete on the team. Rebecca was a member of the Bobcats’ varsity 8 for all 7 of her racing seasons, and her work ethic was a driving force behind the back-to-back-to-back national runner-up finishes Bates achieved at the NCAA Championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Rebecca’s accomplishments with her teammates also included 5th, 2nd and 3rd-place finishes among over 30 boats in consecutive years of the Head of the Charles Regatta. During those 3 seasons, she and the Bates varsity 8 also produced 3 consecutive 2d-place finishes at the New England Rowing Championships, along with a program-best 2nd-place finish at the 2011 ECAC National Invitational Rowing Championships. Individually, Rebecca was named a 2nd Boat All-American at the end of her sophomore year by the College Rowing Coaches of America. In both her junior and senior seasons, Rebecca was a CRCA First Boat All-America and NESCAC All-Conference First Team selection. She graduated with an overall regular season record of 56 wins against just six losses as a Bobcat, the best mark of any rower in Bates history.

Charlotte Green, Swimming

Setting 17 Bates records, 14 NCAA consideration performances and being named All-NESCAC and national swimmer of the week, Charlotte left her mark as one of Bates’ all-time greatest swimmers, and perhaps the program’s greatest sprinter. In her 1st year alone, she set or was a part of breaking 5 school records. Individually she set the 50- and 100-yd freestyle school records and was instrumental in setting the record in the 200-, 400- and 800-yd freestyle relays. As a sophomore, Charlotte lowered her record times in the 50 and 100 freestyle and set the record in the 200 freestyle. Charlotte made NCAA B cuts in three relays and three individual events, and earned All-NESCAC recognition in the 50 freestyle. In February of 2009, she was named national swimmer of the week by CollegeSwimming.com. Charlotte spent the fall semester of her junior year abroad in Scotland, where she continued her swimming and helped establish a Scottish national record in the 200 medley relay before returning to Bates to lead the Bobcats to their best finish in 7 years at the NESCAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship. Last year Charlotte led her team to match its best NESCAC finish ever, at fifth place and she tied the school record in the 50 free and set the record in the 200 free. She was also a part of four school relay records: the 200 free, 200 medley, 800 free and 400 free. Charlotte was also an Academic All-American all 4 years, graduated with honors in English, and was inducted into the Bates Scholar-Athlete Society. Lastly, Charlotte was also named the Female winner of the Senior Sportsmanship Award last year. The Senior Sportsmanship Awards is annually presented to one man and one woman in the senior class, who through their actions have consistently demonstrated the ideals of sportsmanship.

Natalie Ruppertsberger, Nordic Skiing

Natalie is of the most successful female athletes to have come through the Bates Nordic skiing program. It began with her 1st year on the team when she was among the top 3 Bobcat competitors for nearly every event that year. Natalie’s sophomore-year highlights included a 9th-place finish in the 5K Classical race at the Bates Carnival, an 8th-place finish in the 10K Classical at the UVM Carnival, and at the Middlebury Carnival she took 3rd-place in the 10K Classical race. At the 2009 NCAA Collegiate Skiing Championships, hosted by Bates, she placed 22^nd in the 5K Classical and 29^th in the 15K Freestyle. A co-captain her jr year, Natalie had 6 top-10 finishes during the regular season, one of the best female performances in Bates Nordic skiing history. She rounded out the campaign with an 18^th-place finish in the 5K Classical and 32^nd-place finish in the 15K Freestyle at the 2010 NCAA Championships. Her senior year saw another 6 top-10 finishes in the regular season. She finished 32^nd in the 5K Freestyle and 24^th in the 15K Classical at the 2011 NCAA Championships. On the academic front, Natalie was inducted into the Bates Scholar Athlete Society and lastly, was the Department of Athletics’ choice for the 2011 Bates Female Athlete of the Year Award.

Chris Murtagh, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field

Chris spent 4 years compiling an unrivalled litany of accomplishments starting his 1st year when he won the Maine and NESCAC titles in the javelin, as well as NESCAC Rookie of the Year. After a repeat of his javelin successes his sophomore year, Chris was named team captain as a junior, and he began competing on an even higher plane. He was All-NESCAC (top three) in the shot put, hammer and javelin, and an NCAA provisional qualifier in the javelin, hammer and discus. Chris also landed at the No. 3 spot on the Bates all time javelin list. Chris’s senior year surpassed all others as he took his place among the best and most versatile throwers in Bates’ proud track and field history. The indoor season saw Chris bag the Maine state title in the weight throw, and he later won the ECAC DIII crown, as well, qualifying for the NCAA’s in the process. At NCAA’s Chris placed 5th in the weight throw for his 1st All-America laurels, with a final distance that would have won the event the year before. Chris’s shot putting got better and better as well, and he finished his career 2nd on Bates’ all-time performance list, as well as 6th on the discus list. He established the Bates record for the hammer throw, putting himself atop an all-time performance list that includes 12 other Bates All-Americans and 4 NCAA champions. His final act as a Bobcat was winning 7th place in the hammer at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships to take home his 2nd All-America award. Lastly, Chris was named the 2011 Bates Male Athlete of the Year for his exceptional senior season.

Patrick Murphy, Baseball

We give out 4 senior awards each year and the one not mentioned yet is the Male Senior Sportsmanship Award. Again as noted a few minutes ago, this award is presented to one man and one woman in the senior class, who through their actions have consistently demonstrated the ideals of sportsmanship winner. It honors two student-athletes who, through their actions in the competitive arena of intercollegiate athletics, have demonstrated one or more of the ideals of sportsmanship, including fairness, civility, honesty, unselfishness, respect and responsibility. Pat was the unanimous choice for last year’s Male Senior Sportsmanship Award. He was a four year member of the Baseball team and part of the winningest class in Bates baseball history with back to back seasons that saw more than 20 wins for the first time ever. Pat also was a Captain his senior year and helped me and the Baseball program significantly in the search for and the transition to the new Baseball Coach. On the field, Pat was a model player and he leaves the program as Bates’ all time stolen base leader. In addition to being Bates’ Sportsmanship Award winner, Pat was also named to the NESCAC-All sportsmanship team.

Milton L. Lindholm Scholar-Athlete Award

Now I would like to highlight the winners of the Milton L Lindholm Scholar-Athlete Award which is presented to those students who have achieved excellence in the classroom while balancing full participation in varsity athletics. It is awarded each year to the senior woman and senior man who have the highest grade-point average among those who have earned varsity letters, including one in his and her senior year.

Unable to be with is the winner of the Female Lindholm Award – Dana Lindauer a Classical & Medieval Studies major and Track runner from Needham, MA who achieved a 3.94 GPA!

The Male Lindholm Award winner is Cody Newman – Cody was Chemistry major and a Lacrosse player from Montclair, NJ who also was a team captain and finished with a 3.94 GPA as well. He won the Chemistry Department’s highest awards for research and Scholarship was an All NESCAC Academic selection as well as an All NESCAC Sportsmanship Award winner. Lastly, Cody was honored as a Bates Scholar-Athlete Society inductee.

Men’s Soccer 50th

And now we turn our attention to some other alums, a few who may not be quite as recent, but whose accomplishments are equally impressive and timeless. This evening marks the beginning of a yearlong celebration of 50 years of Bates Men’s Soccer. In 1962, the Bobcat’s first varsity soccer team took the field and enjoyed an impressive 5-3-0 season. Since then, Men’s Soccer has had 6 NESCAC tournament appearances and in 1992 made it to the ECAC championship. Current Head Coach George Purgavie has been at Bates helm since 1983, making him one of the most tenured coaches on campus. The Men’s Soccer program continues to graduate student athletes who have experienced success in the NESCAC and are academically and morally prepared to become engaged citizens. Men’s Soccer has brought great pride to Bates College and its Department of Athletics over the last 50 years. Thank you, Bates Men’s Soccer and congratulations to all of our honorees on their wonderful accomplishments!

2011-09-14T15:20:00.001-04:00

Bates College Department of Athletics

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Meeting - September 11, 2011

Meeting Notes

Kevin welcomed the SAAC reps and introduced Asst. AD Marsha Graef and Head Baseball Coach/Leadership Coordinator Mike Leonard. He also introduced Kelly McManus, Andrew Scichilone, Jacqui Holmes and Lucas Milliken as this year’s SAAC Chairs. The other SAAC reps then introduced themselves.

Kevin passed out a sign-in sheet and explained that cell phone numbers are requested so that he can communicate with a blast text in addition to email. He also indicated that the chairs cited the need for an attendance policy for SAAC meetings. Thus two missed meetings without prior contact with Kevin or one of the chairs will result in that SAAC rep being replaced.

SAAC Organization

Kevin reviewed the SAAC purpose as detailed in the Mission Statement: “promote and maintain good sportsmanship, academic excellence, and involvement in the campus and local community”. He also stressed the importance of the group serving as a direct communication link from the student-athletes to the AD and vice-versa. Additionally, he noted that per the Student-Athlete Code of Ethics, SAAC will serve as the body that will adjudicate any matters that constitute a breach of the Code. A subcommittee of SAAC reps will decide whether or not a particular incident constitutes a breach of the Code and thereby requires consideration by the entire SAAC group. The four chairs along with three other reps will constitute the Code of Ethics subcommittee. Anyone who is interested in serving on this group should email Kevin.

SAAC Committees

School Spirit/Sportsmanship Committee – Kelly: Promote the athletics programs to the campus community and beyond; spotlight student-athlete academic accomplishments; improve school spirit and support for the sport teams; advocate for good sportsmanship.

Past efforts: Powderpuff FB game/fall spirit night; Student-Athlete of the Month Award

Other possibilities: SAAC Facebook page for promoting events

Specific teams supporting other teams by attending their events

Community Service Committee - Andrew: Encourage and facilitate team opportunities to engage in community service and philanthropic endeavors

Past efforts: Field Day; Good Shepherd Food Bank

Other possibilities: Breast Cancer Awareness Fund-raiser with all teams

Special Olympics (NCAA DIII initiative)

C.A.T.S (Committed Athletes Targeting Success) - Jacqui: Education initiative focused on student-athletes being responsible for the choices they make.

Past efforts: Midnight Madness; Campus Feud Contest, peer education discussions

Other possibilities: NCAA Step-up program, alcohol misperceptions campaign

Allies Committee - Lucas: Follow-up the Athlete Allies initiative by advancing respect for differences as well as awareness and understanding of the value inherent in our diversity

Past efforts: Bates Allies Rally

Other possibilities: Fall and Winter events/activities; possibly broaden focus from LGBTQ issues to other diversity concerns (racial, religious, socio-economic, etc.)

Discussion

The question was raised about the change in Saturday food service to brunch at 10:30 a.m. and continental breakfast prior to that – how will this affect pre-game meals? Kevin has been in touch with Christine Schwartz, Dining Services Director, about this and she has asked the head coaches of sports that are affected to get in touch with her about making pre-game meal arrangements.

Announcements

NESCAC Women’s Coaching Symposium scheduled for 3/30 – 4/1 and they are looking for a sense of interest from conference schools. Marsha explained more about the program as did Kelly who attended the last one and had a great experience. Anyone interested should let Marsha know (mgraef@bates.edu)

Orientation for 1^st year student-athletes is Tuesday, 9/13 at noon in Alumni Gym

Other

The committee chairs met briefly with the members of their respective committees

NEXT SAAC MEETING: SUNDAY, OCT 9 – 8:00 P.M. – Skelton Lounge in Chase Hall

2011-09-14T15:05:00.004-04:00

Bates College Department of Athletics

First Year Student-Athlete Orientation Program FY12

Tuesday, September 13 - Alumni Gymnasium - Noon

Welcome/Overview Kevin McHugh

Official welcome: opportunity to get acquainted with people/resources to help you succeed in every aspect of Bates

Reiterate: Captains & Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) reps are important resources; know who they are

Key emphasis in capts’ training & SAAC 1^st meeting & theme this year: Respect For Differences/Valuing Diversity

Hazing: may not seem like a positive topic but know that we support 1^st years in particular - know that you cannot be pressured to have to do anything that you aren’t comfortable with in order to be part of a team; if so, it is hazing

NESCAC Out-Of-Season-Activities review

Athlete Image Sheet: handout to help understand more about the college athlete’s public face

Introduction of Athletics and Friends of Bates Athletics Staff

Faces with names - every person on the staff will go out of her/his way to help you; you need only to ask

Presenters

Faculty Perspective: Stephanie Kelley-Romano, Assoc Prof & Chair Rhetoric

Academic Support: Gwen Lexow, Assoc. Director/SWA/Softball Coach

Campus Security: Paul Menice, Campus Police Officer

PE, Clubs, IM: Marsha Graef, Assistant Director

Leadership: Mike Leonard, Baseball Coach/Leadership Coordinator

Sports Medicine: Mike Verville, Director Sport Medicine

Education Programming: Becky Woods, M/W Nordic Skiing Coach

Nutrition/Eating: Erica Baptiste, Assistant Trainer

Davis Fitness Center: Duncan Averill, Assistant Football Coach

Faculty Liaisons: Peter Lasagna, M Lacrosse Coach

Close Kevin McHugh

Additional on-line resources: Department policies (Code of Ethics, Hazing, Alcohol, Spectator Code)

AD's Fall Letter

2011-09-13T21:00:00.001-04:00

"The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.”
--Edward Gibbon

Dear Bates Community & Friends,

With the search for a permanent president underway, a new Dean of Faculty in place, and the Admissions Dean of three decades recently retired - just to name a few of the more momentous developments - the “winds of change” are certainly gusting at Bates. But co-opting Gibbon’s quote from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, being able to navigate the winds and waves of change affords a terrific opportunity to ride the crest and achieve further excellence.

Collaborating with the campus community during this year of transformation, we look to build on last year’s successful initiatives including: an Athletics-led Bates Allies Rally celebrating our differences with a specific focus on LGBTQ issues (we still have Allies wristbands left and it is never too late to sign the Allies pledge); the establishment of a “Getting It Done” peer mentoring program; Scholar-Athlete awards to 149 of our student-athletes; an inaugural leadership training program for all captains/team leaders; the completion of the Garcelon Field Project; new scoreboards for the Baseball and Softball fields (fund-raised); and continued improvement in our fitness facilities with new weight room and cardio equipment.

On the competitive front in FY11, Bates teams had National finishes in Women’s Rowing, Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track, Men’s & Women’s Alpine & Nordic Skiing, Women’s & Men’s Squash, and Men’s Outdoor Track; increased the total number of NESCAC wins across all sports; had Women’s Soccer come within a game of the NESCAC Championships; tallied 20+ wins in Baseball for the 2nd consecutive season; and Bates’ NACDA Director's Cup finish put the Bobcats in the top 15% of the 450+ schools competing in Division III.

Despite how stormy FY12 may get, what will not change is that Athletics will continue to define able navigation as providing opportunities that enhance the College’s liberal arts experience; that intellectually, physically and personally develop the sports participants; and that build community within the campus as well as with those in the L/A area. Furthermore, successful navigation means holding to the highest expectation for who we are, for how we conduct our programs, and how we conduct ourselves. These expectations are outlined in the Participant Policies on the Athletics website that every varsity athlete agrees in writing to uphold.

With 800+ student-athletes competing in 31 varsity sports and another 200+ involved in 13 club sport programs, the support that you provide by recognizing their efforts and attending their events whenever possible, is invaluable. It affirms that the community appreciates the dedication required to shine in a sport while at the same time working to excel in the classroom. The sport schedules along with updated results and other details can be found at: http://bates.edu/sports-schedule.xml. Additionally, many home athletic events will feature free, live, video webcasts and that schedule is at: http://www.firstteambroadcasting.com/organizations/bates-college/.

So please, join us this year and together we will ably navigate those “winds of change”! Thank you and best wishes,

Kevin McHugh
Director of Athletics

AD's Winter Letter To The Campus

2010-11-22T17:38:00.002-05:00

Dear Bates Community & Friends,

This is a departure from my standard format where song lyrics or a poem usually precede the salutation, but it seems that bobcat tracks in the snow (yes, that is what those black marks above are – truly!) have a poetic quality of their own that really resonates with me as another Maine winter approaches. The tracks that lead from autumn into the colder months bring about a turnover in athletic seasons as well.

With the Hathorn Hall bells celebrating the Football team’s resounding 28-18 victory over Hamilton, the fall sports season officially ended. It was a season that featured a number of highlights including:

- Field Hockey and Men’s and Women’s Soccer all qualifying for their NESCAC Championships
- Women’s Soccer defeating #1 seeded Tufts in the 1st Round of the NESCAC Championships
- Men’s Soccer upsetting No. 5 nationally ranked Middlebury on the road
- Men’s Cross Country nationally ranked & qualifying a runner for the NCAA Championships
- Women’s Cross Country team improving on last year’s NESCAC finish
- Field Hockey upping their NESCAC and non-conference win totals over 2009
- Volleyball strengthening their schedule and their team experience with a West Coast trip
- Football defeating Tufts for the first time in over 2 decades
- Men’s &Women’s Golf continuing to play more competitively against their NESCAC foes
- Men’s & Women’s Tennis laying a solid foundation for the Spring with successful Fall events
- Men’s & Women’s Rowing outstanding performances at the Head of the Charles Regatta

The conclusion of the fall sports season also signals the commencement of our winter contests
when the nearly 300 young women and men who comprise the following teams will strive to excel in their sport while continuing to seek to distinguish themselves academically as well.

Men’s & Women’s Basketball * Men’s & Women’s Nordic Skiing * Men’s & Women’s Indoor Track Men’s & Women’s Alpine Skiing * Men’s & Women’s Squash * Men’s & Women’s Swimming/Diving

Given this lineup of sports, the Bobcats feature one of the broadest arrays of winter offerings with action that will heat things up throughout the chilly months! You can view the composite winter schedule at http://www.bates.edu/sports-schedule.xml . Additionally, many of the winter contests will be webcast and you can find a schedule of these at: http://firstteambroadcasting.com/organizations/bates-college/.
As I have noted previously, the knowledge that the campus community recognizes and values the efforts of Bates’ student-athletes in both the classroom and their sport program is reinforced by your attendance at their events. I know that they will be most appreciative of any contests that you can make. For the events that you can’t attend, please check the updates on the web site: http://www.bates.edu/sports.xml.

Thank you and best wishes as you put down your own tracks through this upcoming winter!

Kevin McHugh
Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education

Fall AD Letter to Campus Community

2010-09-16T14:15:00.002-04:00

Let’s take a moment to reflect,
On the past few years of my life,
I haven't worked myself away,
To stay inside.
This is the time to let us...
Break out, break out……………

Break Out! Break Out! Song Lyrics by All Time Low

Dear Bates Community & Friends,

The lyrics above are somewhat autobiographical as I have been telling our senior student-athletes that since I arrived at Bates a few years ago when they did, this is my senior year too. I also have been reminding all of our athletes and our staff of the many positive developments that have taken place these past few years. Not the least of these is the Bates Celebrates Athletics event held this past June in Boston that reaffirmed the College’s commitment not just to supporting Athletics, but to excelling in Athletics, as the institution strives to do in all of its endeavors. So that is why it feels to me like now is the time for Bates Athletics to Break Out, to turn those positive developments into more tangible success for all of our teams.

Lest you fear, as some did with my letter last fall, I am not advocating that winning is the only thing or that we must win at all costs. However, given the above-noted commitment to excelling, we should and can be more successful. In competitive sports where a score is kept, that equates to more wins.

We also continue to define success by how well we uphold our mission of providing opportunities that enhance the liberal arts experience at Bates; of serving as professional educators committed to the intellectual, physical and personal development of our students; and of building community among students, faculty, staff, and alumni as well as in the Lewiston-Auburn area. That mission statement can be found on the Athletics website at: http://www.bates.edu/x208375.xml.

Additionally, we succeed when we meet and surpass the high expectations that we have in Athletics for who we are, for how we conduct our programs and how we conduct ourselves. These expectations are contained in the Student-Athlete Code of Ethics, the Hazing/Initiation policy, the Athletic Department Alcohol policy, and the Spectator Code of Conduct that I discuss annually with every varsity athlete at the start of her/his season and that each agrees in writing to uphold. These too can be found on the Athletics website at: http://www.bates.edu/x208331.xml.

Your support for our student-athletes, particularly with your attendance at their events, recognizes their passion, validates their efforts and affirms that the campus community appreciates the dedication that it takes to participate in a varsity sport on top of working to excel in the classroom. The sport schedules can be found at: http://www.bates.edu/sports-schedule.xml and for the contests that you can’t make, many of the fall games will be webcast and that schedule is at: http://www.firstteambroadcasting.com/organizations/bates-college/. Also you can always check updates and details on the Athletics website: Bates Athletics. So join us as we Break Out! Break Out!

Thank you and best wishes for the semester

2010-03-24T14:51:00.002-04:00

Article from the Addison County Independent by Karl Lindholm about his father Milt Lindholm, beloved Bates College Emeritus Dean of Admissions who passed away recently:

Father/son: 'How 'bout those Sox?'

It wasn’t until last year, when he was 97, that I told my dad to his face that I loved him.

It was an awkward declaration, and I don’t remember his response. He might have said he loved me, too. It really didn’t matter what he said: I knew he loved me. And I have no doubt he knew that I loved him, too.

Instead of saying “I love you,” we would say to each other, “How ‘bout those Red Sox?” For my dad and me, sports were the medium of our sharing.

I think I learned everything I feel and believe about sports from my dad. Not by his instruction, but by his example. He never coached my teams — he couldn’t take the time from work, and even if he could, I’m not sure he would have. Not his role. He was my dad, not my coach. He let my coaches coach me.

He didn’t cajole or berate me, though he knew I could be a better athlete if I worked harder at it. He didn’t shoot hoops with me in the driveway. He was my dad, not my pal. This was the 1950s. He came to all my games in high school and as many as possible when I was in college here at Middlebury, five hours away from our home in Maine.

What we did was go to games together. My dad loved sports, thought they were unmediated good, and he transmitted that love to me. He thought athletes should be proud and hold themselves to a high standard, on and off the field.

One of my earliest sports memories was my dad taking me to Pettingill Park in Auburn, Maine, to watch Chick Leahey play for the Auburn Asas under the lights against the Augusta Millionaires — semi-pro baseball. Chick had played in the Yankee system and was the Bates College baseball coach, and he became one of my heroes and mentors.

When Bates had a pair of national-level track athletes, my dad and I went to the big indoor meets in Boston to watch them compete in the Boston Garden. We stayed at the old Madison Hotel next to the Garden and I collected autographs of Olympic stars in the lobby and on the elevator. I knew them all.

On Saturdays in the winter as a kid, I watched the indoor track meets in the Bates “Cage” from the balcony over the circular track, ten laps to a mile. All that activity — the dashes and the relays and the 35-pound hammer throw and the pole vault, all indoors in this contained space: the gun going off signaling the start of a race, guys running like crazy. Pandemonium. Total fun.

My dad was down in the “infield” as an official. Even in his retirement, he declined to go to Florida in order to be in Lewiston to officiate at track meets. He said, “who would pick second place in the 60-yard dash,” the hardest job in this era before electronic timing and photo finishes.

We went to innumerable Bates athletic events, hundreds, every sport. Sometimes we went together, sometimes separately. Either way, the fortunes of these Bobcat teams and their players were invariably the subjects of our conversations later on at home.

He was a very good football player. He’s in the Waltham High School’s Sports Hall of Fame. The child of immigrants, speaking Swedish in the home, he learned early that sports were a path to acceptance. As a student at Bates, he was on the team that tied Yale, 0-0, in 1932, and was football captain in his senior year. He loved the rough and tumble play of the game.

I played football in high school the same position as my dad, center. When he played, he had to snap the ball to backs in movement in that era before motion penalties, and long snap to the punter. Try as he might, he could never teach me the long snap, and I moved to guard on fourth downs, to his chagrin.

My dad wrote his senior thesis at Bates on “Character and Athletic Competition.” I wrote my dissertation in grad school on “the Sporting Hero in American Literature,” and described an archetype riven by fears of his mortality.

Later on, with me here at Middlebury and my dad retired from Bates, we met in Boston for a Sox game every summer for about ten summers. My dad had a well-connected Bates friend who annually gave him ten tickets to his company’s skybox at Fenway.

My dad and Lewiston friends, Bob and Chick certainly, and Leigh, drove down from Maine. I gathered my Middlebury buddies, Russ and Steve and Gary, and we rode down from Vermont, and we all watched a Sox game like rich folks in the luxury box. Wonderful nights at Fenway.

In our mutual adulthood, he and I settled into a relaxed fandom, watching games together when we could on the TV in the den of the house in Lewiston where I grew up and he lived for 65 years.

My dad, my sports source, died on Feb. 27. He lived 98 years and a few months. The 98 years were good ones; the “few months” were hard.

It’s spring — the days are longer, the sap’s running. Baseball is in the air.

Hey, Dad, how ’bout those Sox?

Karl Lindholm is the Dean of Cook Commons and an Assistant Professor of American Studies at Middlebury College. His father, Milton Lindholm was Dean of Admissions at Bates for 32 years.

2010-01-08T17:28:00.004-05:00

Check out the video that highlights a fund-raising project underway to secure donations that will allow Bates to install an artificial surface, lights, new grandstands, a new press box, etc. at Garcelon Field, the College's football facility:

http://vimeo.com/8532774

Winter Letter

2010-01-04T10:20:00.001-05:00

Time, time, time, see what's become of me
While I looked around
For my possibilities
I was so hard to please
But look around, leaves are brown

And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Hazy Shade of Winter - Simon And Garfunkel

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff & Friends,

Happy New Year! Winter is most certainly upon us with more than a hazy shade and any brown leaves that might have been left are now well-covered with snow. What’s more, if you add the music to these Simon and Garfunkel lyrics and listen beyond the first verse to the entire song, you will get an even more foreboding sense of the gloominess of winter. Additionally, the song uses the passing of the seasons to evoke equally unsettling notions of fleeting time, of lost opportunities and of dreams unfulfilled.

So why present this somewhat sober outlook at the commencement of the New Year and the next semester? Because the Bates sports scene, as timeless as a winning shot at the buzzer and with an abundance of opportunities and dreams yet to fulfill, provides the perfect antidote to these harsh realities of the Maine winter! Women’s and Men’s Basketball playing high-energy hoops in the toasty confines of Alumni Gymnasium; Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving creating waves in the equally temperate setting of Tarbell Pool; Women’s and Men’s Track blazing around the recently refurbished Walter Slovenski Indoor oval; Men’s and Women’s Squash’s frenetic play raising the temperature in the Squash Building; even the outdoor sports of Women’s and Men’s Nordic and Alpine Skiing generating fieriness with the speed and power of their performances! Such are the many opportunities available to offset the chills and blahs of the next few months while also contributing to the collegiality that is generated from the shared experience of supporting our Bates student-athletes.

The spirit and drive of the approximately 270 young women and men who comprise the aforementioned winter sport teams certainly merit that support. These students are most serious about their academic pursuits and strive to excel in the classroom. However, they are also extraordinarily passionate about their chosen sport and seek to distinguish themselves athletically while propelling their teams to success. They do not receive any material reward for the efforts that they put forth in pursuit of this athletic distinction. Rather, they realize their dividends in the self-confidence and sense of achievement attained from the overall participatory experience; in the lifelong friendships formed with teammates; and in the character transformation forged by the application to their endeavors of courage, sacrifice, endurance, self-discipline and mental toughness. That transformation, overlain on their academic odyssey, provides the ultimate return for these students as they become fully prepared for life after Bates.

The knowledge that the campus community recognizes and values the efforts of Bates’ student-athletes in both the classroom and their sport program is reinforced by your attendance at their events. Attached is a schedule of the winter sport contests and I know that they will be most appreciative of any events that you can make. For the contests that you can’t attend, please check the updates and details on the web site: http://www.bates.edu/sports.xml.

Thank you and best wishes for the New Year,

Kevin

Fall Seasons Kick-Off Letter to Campus

2009-09-10T09:20:00.002-04:00

“Anything less than a nationally competitive athletics program
is inconsistent with the excellence and distinction for which
Bates College is otherwise renowned.”
Kevin McHugh, Director of Athletics

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Friends,

I generally begin these seasonal letters by borrowing lines from a famous person or a poem or a song - anything other than a quote of my own. However, given this past year’s undertaking, I thought it made sense to start the new fall term with these words. Over the past twelve months, the Athletic Department undertook a review of its intercollegiate sports programs (as well as the physical education, club sport, and intramural programs) to determine whether or not each is consistent with the stated mission of the department. Revised in 2008, the Mission Statement now says:

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 the Lewiston-Auburn community.

The review concluded that every one of the intercollegiate sports programs does, in fact, enhance the overall liberal arts undergraduate experience and does help prepare the participants for life after college. Similarly, it found that all thirty one sport programs contribute significantly to the intellectual, physical and personal development of the student-athlete participants and that each is meeting expectations when it comes to building community.

However, while all of our intercollegiate sports most certainly are striving for and seeking excellence, only some of them are actually achieving this ideal of distinction within the New England Small College Athletic Conference and at the national level. For Bates Athletics to be truly supportive of the College mission and of the students who come to this campus expecting to excel in all that they do, our programs, and most especially the highly visible intercollegiate sports, must be competitive with the best programs in the country.

The first line of the College Mission Statement proclaims, “Bates is a college of the liberal arts and sciences, nationally recognized for the qualities of the educational experience it provides.” Furthermore, the College’s website asks, “Why Bates?” The site answers, “Nationally recognized academic program.” The website goes on to note, “Rated among the best liberal arts colleges in the nation, Bates curriculum and faculty challenge students to develop powers of critical assessment, analysis, expression, aesthetic sensibility, and independent thought.”

We in Athletics are immensely proud of our role as educators. The lessons that we teach to the fifty percent or more of the Bates student body who participate in a sport comprise among others: leadership, teamwork, accountability, mental toughness, self-discipline, critical thinking, time management and adaptability. Enhancing the superb classroom experience noted above, this co-curricular learning helps to develop outstanding young women and men who are well-equipped for life after Bates.

As with almost any endeavor, these athletics lessons gain the most purchase when the students experience success in the pursuit of their passion. Winning consistently against our NESCAC peers equates to national competitiveness. Competitive excellence at the national level, undergirded by the “whole person” education afforded through participation in Bates sports, best defines what a truly successful Bobcats intercollegiate athletics program should be. Anything less falls short of fully supporting our students and fails to appropriately complement the national-caliber Bates academic experience.

Now, lest I paint too negative a picture, I do want to point out that Bates closed out the year in outstanding fashion with Men’s Tennis players Ben Stein and Amrit Rupasinghe winning Bates’ first-ever NCAA Doubles title and Stein finishing as the National Runner-up in Singles; Women’s Rowing garnering a 2nd place finish at the NCAA Championships (the highest ever finish by any Bates team); and the Men’s Rowing team capping off its best season in the program’s history by competing in the Henley Regatta in England, the sport’s most prestigious event! Those successes came on the heels of Bates doing a tremendous job hosting this year’s NCAA Skiing National Championships that brought the top Division I as well as Division III teams and individuals to the area from throughout the country! With overall increases in wins across all sports last year as well as more total NESCAC victories, higher NCAA finishes in Women’s Rowing, Men’s & Women’s Alpine and Nordic Skiing, Women’s Swimming, Women’s Indoor Track, and Women’s Outdoor Track; Softball’s first-ever appearance in the NESCAC Championships tournament; and a 57th place finish in NACDA Director's Cup standings (out of 420 schools in DIII), the trajectory of success for Bates Athletics now points toward national excellence and distinction – the next step is to get there.

Your support of the efforts of our student-athletes as well as your attendance at their events are key to them reaching their full potential, academically and athletically, and to Bates Athletics achieving at the level it should. The passion and zeal - *Amore Ac Studio* - of the young men and women who comprise our thirty one sports teams is bolstered by the knowledge that the campus community values their efforts to excel in the classroom as well as in their sport. I ask that you try to attend as many of the contests as possible that are detailed in the attached schedule of events. For the contests that you can’t make, please check the updates and details on our website: http://www.bates.edu/sports.xml.

Thank you, have a great semester, and Go Bobcats!

Kevin McHugh
Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education

Student-Athlete Code of Ethics

2009-09-01T17:44:00.003-04:00

Meeting tonight with our fall athletes to go over NCAA compliance issues and our basic Athletic Department policies. After reviewing these policies and having the opportunity to ask questions of me, each athlete will sign a form acknowledging that they have read and understand these policies and will abide by them. The most fundamental is our Student-Athlete Code of Ethics which reads as follows:

PURPOSE

The purpose of intercollegiate athletics at Bates College is to provide the opportunity for students to develop their full potential in a rigorous academic setting that values varsity sport participation and the keenest competition as a key component of the educational process. However, it is considered a privilege rather than a right to be a student-athlete and with that privilege come certain responsibilities. Foremost among these responsibilities is the adherence to a Bates College Student-Athlete Code of Ethics.

Bates College supports a prominent Division III NCAA intercollegiate athletic program. Your representation of the College, involving public exposure in the competitive arena and the media, makes you one of the most visible groups in a number of "communities": the College, local municipalities, Androscoggin County, and the State of Maine. As an athlete, what you do and the way in which you do it are often highlighted, placing you in a public position not experienced by other Bates students; a position that requires exemplary conduct. Your behavior has a most definite impact on the reputation of your particular team, the Athletic Department, and also on the attitude that the others not involved in intercollegiate athletics have toward you and your fellow athletes. Lastly, whether or not you so choose, you will be looked upon, particularly by younger children, as a role model and as a leader.

DEFINITION

The Student-Athlete Code of Ethics is meant to provide behavioral guidelines consistent with the responsibilities of participation, representation, and public exposure outlined above. The Code applies to any and every Bates student who is considered to be a member of an intercollegiate team(s), WHETHER THAT SPORT IS IN SEASON OR NOT.

Under this Code of Ethics, you are expected to obey the laws, rules, and regulations of the "communities" already cited: the College (specifically, see attached alcohol and hazing policies), local municipalities, Androscoggin County, and the State. Furthermore, you are expected to conduct yourself at all times with honor, integrity, good sportsmanship, honesty, and dignity. Conduct that brings dishonor to a team and/or the Athletic Department is considered a breach of the Code.

The Code of Ethics does not supersede or replace the College judicial process. Where a case involving a student-athlete has been adjudicated by the College judicial process, the Code of Ethics will not be used to affect any decision that has been rendered. However, the Code may still be used to examine the case in light of the expectations cited above and could be utilized for the imposition of sanctions in addition to any judgment coming from the College judicial process.

CODE OF ETHICS JUDICIAL PROCESS

Whether or not a particular incident constitutes a breach in the Code of Ethics, and the subsequent degree of sanction that is to be applied to a breach of the Code, will be decided by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC - comprised of at least one representative from each intercollegiate sport sponsored by Bates College). The SAAC will be convened by the Director of Athletics to hear cases of student-athlete misconduct that potentially constitute a breach in the Student-Athlete Code of Ethics and have not already been addressed by the Athletic Department. The SAAC will be convened as soon as possible to hear the case and in so doing will employ all of the applicable general standards of due process outlined in the Bates Student Handbook. Note: the SAAC will take into account previous Code violations when considering a case and repeat-offenses may encourage a recommendation for heavier sanctions.

After hearing the case, the SAAC will make its recommendation for sanction(s), if any, to the Director of Athletics. The Director will convey this decision, in writing, to the student-athlete.

Department of Athletics Mission Statement

2009-08-31T17:28:00.004-04:00

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

2009-08-25T17:12:00.006-04:00

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

2009-08-19T09:53:00.002-04:00

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

Department Committee Structure

2009-08-18T09:14:00.003-04:00

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.

2009-08-17T08:14:00.002-04:00

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.).

2009-08-14T13:14:00.002-04:00

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

2009-08-14T13:13:00.001-04:00

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

2009-08-13T13:02:00.000-04:00

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

2009-08-13T08:07:00.002-04:00

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.

Fall 2008 Letter to the Campus Community

2009-08-12T15:39:00.004-04:00

Here's last year's version:

Come gather 'round people wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Bob Dylan – “The Times They Are A Changing”

Dear Bates Students, Faculty, Staff, and Friends,

While these days may not quite echo the spirit of social and political upheaval that characterized Dylan’s ‘60s, there is yet significant change afoot around the globe, in our country, and certainly at Bates. For the Athletic Department as well, there has been much change in the last several months, and most of it has been positive, generating a sense of forward momentum that is propelling us into this new school year.

It seems to have started with our hosting of the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships last May when the change in the campus atmosphere, at least anywhere in the vicinity of the tennis courts, was palpable and electric. The enthusiasm around the Bates doubles team that gained the national semi-finals along with the shared sense of pride and accomplishment in the college so successfully hosting this national event, lingered through the summer. That was followed closely by the completion of a construction project that dramatically changed the surface and lighting of Merrill Gymnasium, incredibly improving that facility. Add to that the impending upgrades planned for the cardio machines in Merrill and the fitness equipment in Underhill and that momentum picks up more speed. Lastly, we have experienced significant changes in Athletic department personnel, nine staff who are either new or taking on new roles. While we lost some great folks who made significant contributions to Bates, the changes have resulted in new coaches and staff who bring fresh energy, improved diversity, different perspectives and a re-focused sense of purpose, all heightening the feeling of positive momentum.

However, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the spirit and drive of the young women and men who comprise the 500+ student-athletes who will compete in 30 intercollegiate sports throughout the coming year. Certainly they seek to distinguish themselves in their academic pursuits, but they also strive for excellence in their chosen sport(s). Those two desires are not mutually exclusive, but rather, reinforce each other in the crucible of athletic competition that forges qualities of courage, endurance, self-discipline and mental toughness. Those qualities and experiences combined with the rigor and richness of the Bates academic journey help fashion transformed individuals who are thoroughly prepared for these “times that are a changing”.

In addition to those elements of personal growth and achievement realized by our student-athletes, the other

most significant encouragement for them is the knowledge that the campus community recognizes and values the efforts they undertake, the sacrifices they make and the goals that they set for themselves. Your attendance at their contests provides that validation. I ask that you try to make as many of the events as possible that are detailed in the attached Fall sports schedule card. For the contests you can’t make, check the updates and details on our web site: http://www.bates.edu/sports.xml.

Regarding our home contests, there will be some changes here as well, reflecting higher expectations about how we conduct our programs and how we conduct ourselves. Just as with our hosting of the Tennis Nationals, we aspire to stage all our events in the most professional and exemplary fashion. To this end, we will be implementing the attached Spectator Code of Conduct for all Bates athletic events and look forward to appropriate behavior and Bates fans who are loud and proud, but positive!

Thank you and remember that while Dylan sang about “The times they are a changing” he is also quoted as saying, “There is nothing so stable as change.” Have a great year and Go Bobcats!

Kevin McHugh

Director of Athletics and Chair of Physical Education

Fall 2007 Letter to Campus Community

2009-08-12T15:29:00.001-04:00

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

2009-08-11T21:17:00.000-04:00

First attempt at this - I want to establish informal vehicle for communicating about Bates College Athletics.

As we head into the new school year, I am attempting to complete the year-long review that we did of all of the Athletics programs: intercollegiate sports (31 programs); club sports (12); intramurals; recreation; Physical Education. The purpose of the review was to determine whether each program is consistent with the Department of Athletics Mission Statement that was revised in Fy08. Each program did a self-assessment and our department's Administrative Team (A-Team) completed an assessment form for each program as well. Now it all has to be tabulated and summarized. Then we can appropriately kick off the new year of Bates athletics.