For
27 years I have served as president of NCAA Division II and III
institutions. During that time, I have developed a special appreciation
for the scholar-athlete philosophy of Division III. The longer I am
here, the more impressed I am with a faculty programs that
play a key role in retention and persistence for our student-athletes
at Virginia Wesleyan. Student-athletes make up approximately 30% of our
student population.
Virginia Wesleyan has two exceptional
Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs), Dr. Susan Larkin, Professor of
English, and Dr. Larry Hultgren, Professor of Philosophy. A
designation required by the NCAA and ODAC, a FARs primary role is to
ensure that an institution maintains appropriate balance between
academics and intercollegiate athletics. We are so proud of Dr. Larkin
on her selection to participate in the 2017 NCAA Division III FAR
Fellows Institute in October at the NCAA national office in
Indianapolis. The three-day professional development program provides a
thorough examination of best practices and issues surrounding the role
and responsibility of FARs and develops leadership skills necessary to
carry out their responsibilities on campus and in their conference. Dr.
Hultgren was also selected for this esteemed program in 2016.
Virginia Wesleyan is ahead of its peer institutions in the development of a Faculty/Staff Team Advisors Program.
Started in 2005, faculty and staff advisors provide advice, assistance
and resources for our student-athletes as they strive to maintain
balance in their Wesleyan careers. The advisor serves as an advocate for
students participating in the sport, and provides a valuable link
between student-athletes and faculty.
In addition, advisors may
develop a broader involvement in the student-athlete experience and
contribute to other individual and team programs and activities. The
program facilitates integration of the intercollegiate programs into the
undergraduate experience of Virginia Wesleyan University. Presently,
each of our intercollegiate sports benefits from the presence of a faculty or staff advisor.
Thank you to our 2017-18 Faculty/Staff Team Advisors:
Baseball
Chris Francis (Coach), Adam Ruh (Advisor)
Women's Basketball
Stephany Dunmyer (Coach), Dr. Joyce Easter (Advisor)
Men's Basketball
Dave Macedo (Coach), Takeyra Collins (Advisor)
Cheerleading
Desiree Ellison (Coach), Robin Takacs (Advisor)
Women's Cross Country/Track and Field
Krista Littleton (Coach), Dr. Kathy Stolley (Advisor)
Men's Cross Country/Track and Field
Mat Littleton (Coach), Dr. Scott Hinze (Advisor)
Field Hockey
Christina Restivo (Coach), Dr. Rebecca Hooker (Advisor)
Men's and Women's Golf
Rick Bidnick (Coach), Dr. Kevin Kittredge (Advisor)
Women's Lacrosse
Kendyl Clarkson (Coach), Takeyra Collins (Advisor)
Men's Lacrosse
JP Stewart (Coach), Crit Muniz (Advisor)
Women's Soccer
Jeff Bowers (Coach), Dr. Susan E. Larkin (Advisor)
Men's Soccer
Chris Mills (Coach), Dr. Wayne Pollock (Advisor)
Softball
Brandon Elliott (Coach), Dr. Hilve Firek (Advisor)
Men's and Women's Swimming
Mike Ginder (Coach), Dr. Doug Kennedy (Advisor)
Women's Tennis
Martin Perry (Coach), Dr. Antje Schwennicke (Advisor)
Men's Tennis
Martin Perry (Coach), Dr. Antje Schwennicke (Advisor)
Women's Volleyball
Andrea Hoover-Erbig (Coach), Dr. Kellie Holzer (Advisor)
Thank you to Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Joanne
Renn for her leadership to the many faculty and staff members serving in this important
capacity.
