BABSON PARK, Mass.—The partnership of Babson College athletics and academics is further strengthened with the announcement of the faculty athletics liaison program, which is designed to align and integrate the two areas while providing student-athletes and coaches with a resource and counsel when specific issues arise.
 
The program seeks to bolster the connections between the academic and athletic pursuits of Babson's student-athletes. It also provides faculty, coaches and student-athletes the opportunity to work together based on individual program needs.
 
"In what started as a pilot, it is exciting to now see an expanded program where every varsity program is paired up with a faculty member," said Pamela P. and Brian M. Barefoot Associate Vice President for Athletics and Athletics Advancement Mike Lynch. "Having one faculty athletics mentor for the department is a huge undertaking, but to now have several faculty members working in tandem with our coaches is a significant step in the right direction. This partnership will greatly benefit our student-athletes."
 
Faculty athletics liaisons are not meant to replace or substitute advisors from Babson's Student Advising & Success Team. The specific roles and expectations for each liaison will be determined by the faculty member and head coach together.
 
"The faculty members who volunteered to serve in this important role are enthusiastic about the liaison program," said associate professor of business communication and Karani Term Chair Kristen Getchell. "We have every division represented, and that alone shows the high level of faculty support across campus for our student-athletes. I'm looking forward to witnessing the growth of this program and the positive impact it will have at the College."
 
Specific examples include but aren't limited to the following:
 

• Serve as a key resource for mentoring student-athletes with academics, professional advice, etc.
• Advise student-athletes on how to communicate around academic conflicts and similar matters, while ensuring that the student-athletes themselves retain primary responsibility for managing their academic experience with their faculty members
• Collaborate with other mentors and coaches to integrate academics and athletics and to communicate experiences and best practices
• Have availability to meet informally with prospective student-athletes
• Support student athletes by attending home/road contests and practices (head coach's discretion)
• Attend 1-2 events per semester or academic year based on head coach invitation

 

Men's and Women's Alpine Skiing	Danna Greenberg
Baseball	Ruben Mancha
Men's Basketball	Donna Stoddard
Women's Basketball	Richard Bliss
Men's and Women's Cross Country/Track & Field	Ab Igram
Field Hockey	Anjali Bal
Men's and Women's Golf	Kerry Rourke
Men's Ice Hockey	Sharon Sinnott
Men's Lacrosse	Fred Opie
Women's Lacrosse	Chuck Winrich
Men's Soccer	George Recck
Women's Soccer	Kerri McKeever
Softball	Shay Blanchette Proulx
Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving	Amanda Weirup
Men's Tennis	Brad Johnson
Women's Tennis	Kristen Getchell
Women's Volleyball	Steve Bauer