A faculty/team pairing requires a commitment from the faculty member and the coach to the following:
- Meeting one on one to develop common expectations of each other. An essential part of this initial meeting is a conversation regarding how often the two will talk and who initiates these conversations. Regular communication is essential for success. In addition, the coach and partner should review the suggested activities and decide which they will do.
- Coach inviting the partner to a practice at which coach introduces partner and what the partner’s role on the team is.
- Partner attending as many home contests as possible.
- Coach attending one of the partner’s classes at any time during the year.
Faculty should not:
- Offer athletics advice to the coach – faculty partners are not assistant coaches.
- Contact other faculty members regarding issues or problems with student-athletes – such issues should be brought to the attention of the FAR.
- Provide extra benefits not permitted under NCAA legislation to student-athletes.
Coaches should not:
- Ask your faculty partner to intervene with another faculty or staff member on behalf of a student-athlete.
- Expect your faculty partner to take the place of the student-athlete’s academic adviser.
- Air grievances directed at other faculty/staff to your faculty partner.
Participation
Participation in the Faculty Partner Program is voluntary on the part of faculty and coaches. The Faculty Athletic Representative will establish a list of faculty interested in being a partner. Coaches interested in participating should contact the Faculty Athletic Representative. The Faculty Athletic Representative will set up a meeting between the participating coach and faculty partner. Once paired, it is up to the coach and faculty member to determine the extent and type of faculty involvement.
The exact role that faculty serve with their team is flexible. Ideally, over time, the faculty partner will establish an ongoing relationship with the coaching staff and student-athletes that allows for open and constructive communication. At the end of the academic year, faculty, student-athletes, and coaches participating in the Faculty Partner Program will be asked to complete a brief satisfaction survey. The following guidelines are recommended but not required. The contact person and coordinator of the program is the FAR.
Partner Activities
If you would like to interact with your team in ways that are not listed here, please clear them with Athletics before proceeding. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU PROVIDE STUDENT-ATHLETES WITH ANY BENEFIT BASED ON THEIR STATUS AS A STUDENT-ATHLETE.
Coaches can invite faculty to do any of the following, but none are required or expected:
- Help with players’ personal development (e.g., discuss time management issues, discuss nutrition, help with players’ cope with stress, prompt discussion/help with post BA goals, review resume/personal statements/help with job search)
- Monitor study table
- Troubleshoot advising issues (e.g., help reading DARS)
- Wish luck on buses before road trips
- Attend team functions
- Meet recruits. ON CAMPUS ONLY
- Ride the bus with team to away games
- Attend practices
Faculty can:
- Encourage players before + after games
- Send encouraging emails/texts
- Encourage other faculty to attend the home contests of your team.
- Keep regular communication with coaches
- Invite players and coaches to your home for dinner (check with Athletics before organizing this)
- Attend away contests
- Talk with parents at games
- Like team Facebook page
- Have informal conversations around campus – planned (e.g., lunch) and unplanned. DO NOT PURCHASE LUNCH OR ANYTHING ELSE FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES.
- Maintain regular communication with players