Understanding Your Student-Athlete Experience
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Presented at the 2014 NASPA Conference in Baltimore, MD March 18, 2014. The demands placed on today's student-athletes challenge their own engagement in traditional student life. Campuses either ignore these issues or continue to try and force the “square peg into the round hole.” The key to effectively integrating athletics with student life is to first understand the student-athlete experience. Presenters will discuss collaboration between student affairs and athletics to support this unique environment for student-athletes.
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Understanding Your Student-Athlete Experience
- 1. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Understanding the Student-Athlete Experience Within the Student Affairs Context 3 ½ Keys To Enlightenment
- 2. Today’s Panel Vanderbilt University (unable to attend) Mark McHorney, Benedictine University Mark Majeski, Majeski Athletic Consulting (moderator) 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 3. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Session Objectives • UNDERSTAND Understand “student- athlete experience” • THINK Identify campus-specific opportunities for collaboration and support • ACT Generate ONE specific action you will take by Monday, March 24, 2014.
- 4. Ask yourself… “What are 2-3 things I wish we did better with Athletics and / or Student-Athletes?” 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 5. 3 ½ Keys 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 1. Seek first to UNDERSTAND, then to be understood. (Covey’s 7 Habits)
- 6. 3 ½ Keys 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 2. (COLLABORATE).
- 7. 3 ½ Keys 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 3. Measure twice, cut once (Assessment).
- 8. 3 ½ Keys 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 3 ½ Utilize the power of the Coach/Student- Athlete relationship (LEVERAGE).
- 10. 1. UNDERSTAND 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Assumptions Preconceptions Student-Athlete priorities 1.Athletics / Academics 2.Academics / Athletics 3.Sleep / Health / Wellness 4.Social Life NOT A LOT OF TIME LEFT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING
- 11. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 “… it’s a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand.”
- 12. 1. UNDERSTAND Identity 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Athlete Student Person
- 13. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Over-AchieverOver-Committed
- 14. 1. UNDERSTAND Daily Challenges 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 15. 2. COLLABORATE 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 16. 2. COLLABORATE 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Underutilized Student Affairs resources: • Coaches • Athletic Trainers • Student-Athlete Services
- 17. 3. ASSESSMENT 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 18. 3. ASSESSMENT Why It’s Important 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 1. Demonstrates you CARE about student- athletes and VALUE their feedback and experiences 2. Due diligence in MONITORING and evaluating programs. 3. You just might LEARN something.
- 19. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 There is no person on campus who will have a stronger relationship with a student-athlete than his or her coach. Leverage Coach Student-Athlete Relationships 3 ½. LEVERAGE
- 20. Ask yourself… 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Who on campus can bridge a gap between Student Affairs and Athletics / student- athletes?
- 21. Mark McHorney Benedictine University (IL) Director of Athletics 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 22. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Why is Benedictine U. Unique? A Commitment to Student-Athlete Success
- 23. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Commitment to Student-Athlete Success Campus units working together
- 24. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Commitment to Student-Athlete Success SOAR Academy Support. Collaboration. Accountability.
- 25. David Williams II Vanderbilt University Vice Chancellor for Athletics & University Affairs and Athletics Director 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 26. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 27. • Value STUDENTS • On-going Assessment • Deep Collaboration • Be different – be bold • Keep score 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014 Suggestions and Advice
- 28. Ask yourself… “What ONE thing can I do next week to move my issue/concern/opportunity forward?” 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 29. Time for Questions 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 30. Wrap Up • Clarify what you want student-athletes to learn, develop and demonstrate • Ask your student-athletes for feedback • Leverage the coach/student-athlete relationship • Collaborate with Athletics staff 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 31. Resources • NCAA (http://www.ncaa.org) – SCORE / GOALS Research – Student-Athlete Assessment Tool • Time in the Lives of Division III Student-Athletes http://www.maneyonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/ssa.2009.3.3. 285 • “Understanding Your Student-Athlete Experience” e-Book; Majeski (April 2014) http://www.majeskiathleticconsulting.com 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
- 32. 2014 NASPA Annual Conference * Baltimore, Maryland * March 15-19, 2014
Editor's Notes
- Welcome / Thanks NASPA COULD NOT BE A BETTER THEME… Lead, Innovate, Transform… for this topicImportance of athletics on campuses and experiences of student-athletesAll within Student Affairs context because STUDENT AFFAIRS is about supporting students, ALL studentsHow this work supports the OVERALL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCEWho is here? Student Affairs? Athletics? Other?Who here is tired of the stereotype of student-athletes as DUMB JOCKS, who don’t graduate, are THUGS and ONLY IN SCHOOL FOR SPORTS?Who here is tired of student-athletes living up to these stereotypes?Not here to talk about either of those things, but it relates to the work we all do, and raises issues confronting athletics and student affairs today.To work effectively and collaboratively with Athletics Departments, Student Affairs staff must fully understand student-athletes and their world.When I started my business … SA experience is paramount, but how do you know if you’re doing a good job?You may have a sense of what works and doesn’t but there are always things that come up“We spend a lot of money on things that WE THINK they need.”
- Orientation activitiesResidential LifeJudicial operationsIM / Club Sports / Recreation
- Why 3 ½ ? Seek first to Understand, then be Understood (Covey)Student-AthletesAthletics Staff / Student Affairs Staff
- Why 3 ½ ? CollaborationCommon purpose and missions in Athletics and Student AffairsWork together, maximizing strengths
- Why 3 ½ ? Understanding and working together does nothing unless you know if what you’re doing works.FeedbackAssessment / evaluationIncorporate changes
- Why 3 ½ ? Coaches are underutilized resources in student affairs
- FactsGrad rates… above student body (except FB, MBB)Committed to education and being a student and take pride in their academic capabilitiesSome friction when conflicts arise between academics and athleticsWant people (faculty, staff, students, etc) to understand their commitment levels and what they must do to succeed academically and athleticsMy work with student-athletes“What do you think is the biggest pressure / stressor / challenge for SA’s?”Time. Simply fitting everything in is hard. Athletic commitments and academic requirements leave little time for anything else. STRUCTURED lives that actually help them. (Gray/Heuser research)Social lives suffer…. BUT THEY WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.
- If student-athletes feel that friends and family can’t understand their commitment to athletics, where does that leave Student Affairs personnel?They want people to know how important athletics is to them and how much of a commitment it is.Identity – Student & AthleteProud to represent institutionsWant people to respect that
- PrideAsk them… they are an athlete. However, most take pride in student side as well.Spent most of their lives dedicated to sport. It’s a part of who they are. One part of their current environment (Coaches) recognizes and rewards commitment;Other parts can question their priorities and often discourage athletics (which is what they are MOST PASSIONATE about)
- Often overcommit… Not ready for the realities of collegeThey did everything in high school (to build their “resume”) and they could handle itHealth wellness issues… academic rigor… the first “B”All of these things ON TOP of athletics expectations and commitments…Consistently, student-athletes say they see their teammates (or themselves) regularly exhibiting signs of high stress.
- THINK OF A FIRST-YEAR student… 18 years old, away from home for the first time. Wants to please…ConflictsLesser of two evilsWho to disappointEXAMPLESFraternity commitmentFood Service and quality of food / availabilityMandatory training (first year or other)Sexual harassment, etc.Peer pressuresPerceptions of equity / disparityPrejudice: you can’t be a good or serious student because you are an athlete“All you care about is sports”
- Missions and purposes for student affairs and athletics are very similar (as they should be)Support student successCommon wordsDevelopmentLeadershipStudentsEnhanceEducationAcademicServiceachieve
- Common misperception of coaches: 3 month job, 2 hours a dayRelationships with student-athletes (and their FAMILIES) begins in junior year of high schools sometimesCoaches often know more about student-athletes lives than anyone else on campus.Should be trained on how to identify and recognize behaviors and characteristics
- Need to clarify purpose, missionAlignment of Student Affairs, Athletics (with institutions)Identify OutcomesWhat do you want student-athletes to learn?Identify Areas for natural collaborationAthletics Staff / Student Affairs StaffEstablish some form of assessment
- Needs to be regular, consistent.Student-athletes need to feel SAFE in order for them to be honest.On-going. Not just when there are problems.Become part of the culture… student-athlete feedback is valued and important.Not just about coaches, but about supporting their OVERALL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Role of CoachesCoaches are vital student affairs professionalsMay not feel it, want it or be acknowledged as suchNeed to LEVERAGE the coach-student-athlete relationshipMental health issues, wellness etc.COACHES can’t be experts, but they need to be trained to identify behaviors or similar indicators
- Health CenterCounselingLearning Resource Center
- Whyis Benedictine unique:Reporting lines Senior Student Life Team Dedicated student athlete services staffStudent Athlete Services “TEAM”Know it is about the People
- Understand where athletics stands Recruitment & Retention Understand student learning outcomes Understand Why we at Benedictine Benedictine PromiseHow do the units work together: Assist in RA selection Programming inclusion Understand long term vision (student life) On campus behavior - collaborationCelebrate success (PBIS – New) Understand the vehicle we are in
- SOAR Academy – Eagles Issue – New Program Delivering the value of a liberal arts education College to Career Who Student life team Alumni & Development Enrollment Police Four colleges SOAR Academy – Eagles ResultsDeep collaboration Accountable approach
- Example of highly academic institution competing at the highest level athletically.Commitment from Board of Trustees, Chancellor on down that student-athletes and athletics will be integral to the Vanderbilt Experience.Study AbroadStrong Vandy programMost opportunities are during academic year, which conflicts with athleticsAthletics worked with study abroad program to create summer opportunities FacilitiesNew indoor practice facility utilized by entire campus community; athletics likely use the fewest hoursAssessmentIncoming first-years to determine what types of support are neededOn-going to continually meet student-athletes’ needs
- Advice Deep Collaboration Be different – be bold Keep score
- Understand that student-athletes are DIFFERENTNot ‘worse’ or ‘better’ or ‘privileged’ EMBRACE their strengths and leverage themDon’t maintain traditional obstaclesClarify what student-athletes need and are challenged byAdvocate for those thingsClarify expectations for student-athletesASK student-athletes for feedbackLEVERAGE the coach/student-athlete relationshipCoaches should serve on committees, etc.