St. Mary's Launches Team Faculty Advisor Program

St. Mary’s City, Md. – In an effort to strengthen ties between the athletic department and members of faculty, St. Mary’s College of Maryland has initiated the Team Faculty Advisor Program.  The Program was created to involve faculty members in the education that takes place within the context of intercollegiate athletics.

Each varsity team selects at least one team faculty advisor to join the team at practices, competitions, and other team functions in an effort to give the faculty member a deeper understanding of how participation in varsity athletics advances the mission of a liberal arts education.

For more information regarding the Team Faculty Advisor Program, please visit: http://www.smcmathletics.com/information/faculty_advisor_program

St. Mary’s President Dr. Joseph Urgo on the Program: “The Team Faculty Advisor program demonstrates the commitment of faculty and coaches at St. Mary’s College of Maryland to the NCAA Division III ideal of the scholar-athlete.  Our program fosters the principles of passionate involvement in competitive sports and rigorous academic study as complementary pursuits, resulting in an educational experience that encompasses all aspects of one’s ambitions and goals.  Go Seahawk scholars!”

Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Faculty Larry Vote on the Program: “I enthusiastically support the Team Faculty Advisor program as a great way for athletes and faculty to better understand their roles as mentors and scholar-athletes.  Through this applied activity, faculty members and athletes experience more deeply the connections inherent in the classroom and how they apply to the competitive arena.”

Athletic Director Scott Devine on the Program: “We are really excited about formalizing the relationship with the faculty and our athletic teams by kicking off this program.  I want to thank our faculty athletic representative, Jeff Byrd, and our senior woman administrator, Brianne Weaver, for working with our coaches and student-athletes on the faculty mentor initiative.  I feel like the professors from our talented faculty who have agreed to serve as team mentors will have the opportunity to experience college athletics up close, and on the flip side, our student-athletes will benefit greatly by forging closer relationships with those who lead the way in the classroom.  This program is in lock step with the Division III philosophy and truly fits what we try to accomplish here at St. Mary’s.  This is certainly a win/win effort.”