Sports in Seconds: Sporting the connection between the college and athletics
Straying away from my usual professional-sports-based weekly column, I decided to provide a local spin.
Having sat down recently with Mike Lindsay, manager of athletics for Fanshawe College, I discussed the co-relation the athletic program has with the overall objectives, and mission of the entire College.
As I viewed the colleges mission statement, it could be summarized as; the College is committed to success, in the personal, economic, and social sense of students through quality education and continuous learning. They try to enrich the lives of individuals by being innovative and responsive, and while continuously promoting opportunity.
When asked how athletics coincides with this statement, Lindsay said that athletics advocates the mission and displays it on a daily basis.
“That is why we put it (Fanshawe's mission statement) on all of our business cards,” Lindsay said. “We get our mission statement in front of everyone we come in contact with. We proudly display the statement on our walls, and that helps show our commitment to it.”
In terms of enriching the lives of the students, Lindsay said that they do this in three ways, their campus recreation and intramural program, inter-collegiate athletic programs, and student jobs.
Having taken part in intramurals throughout my entire post-secondary career, I definitely agree with Lindsay, who said the campus recreation program is meant to promote sociability, fun, and an active lifestyle.
Let me tell you, it was definitely fun last week when the intramural football team, that many of my co-workers and myself were a part of, won the championship trophy, and more importantly the much prized championship t-shirt.
Regarding student jobs, preparation for the workforce through training and supervision is a primary reason for the student leadership in training program through athletics, according to Lindsay.
“We try to match up the jobs here in athletics with the areas of interest, and programs that they are in at the school,” Lindsay said.
Inter-collegiate athletics is something I wish I had experienced in my university and college career, as I feel the positive attributes gained by participating athletes would be very valuable towards an individuals career, regardless of the field.
Lindsay agreed when he said the skills earned through participation in an elite-level of sport is something employers value.
He added that teamwork, commitment, dedication, fitness, social skills, professional etiquette, increased self-esteem, and the ability to take direction having been coached for years, are essential aspects that athletes can take away from their athletic experience.
“It all adds to their career and their resume. It makes them more of a prime candidate for employers,” Lindsay said.
The College's Board of Governors have three policies that have particular importance towards students and applicants; The Commitment to Quality Policy, The Student Success Policy, and The Interaction with Students Policy.
Lindsay said that athletics primary focus is producing a quality product and lists having state-of-the-art facilities, having good equipment, and even the best available uniforms all coincides with the Quality Policy.
“Everything here is first class,” Lindsay said. “For example we put a lot of money in our coaching staff, and I feel we have one of the best staffs in Canada.”
In terms of promoting success, Lindsay said athletics provides academic advisors for each individual inter-collegiate team.
“We pride ourselves in the support we give to our athletes,” Lindsay said. “It is always one of our goals to increase graduation rates for our programs, and the programs college-wide.”
Lindsay also mentioned that athletics meets the standards of the Interaction Policy by providing equity with funding for both the men and women's programs, as well as support to individuals with disabilities.
Being an advocate for athletics, and a firm believer that sport, and competition is a vital aspect of living a high quality healthy life, I could have easily wrote my entire column on what my thoughts were only on this issue. However, I felt that it was important to get the views of Lindsay, the person in charge of athletics, to truly exemplify how this athletic department truly coincides with the objectives of Fanshawe, ultimately proving how positive an athletic department can be to the overall well-being and image of the institution.
Having sat down recently with Mike Lindsay, manager of athletics for Fanshawe College, I discussed the co-relation the athletic program has with the overall objectives, and mission of the entire College.
As I viewed the colleges mission statement, it could be summarized as; the College is committed to success, in the personal, economic, and social sense of students through quality education and continuous learning. They try to enrich the lives of individuals by being innovative and responsive, and while continuously promoting opportunity.
When asked how athletics coincides with this statement, Lindsay said that athletics advocates the mission and displays it on a daily basis.
“That is why we put it (Fanshawe's mission statement) on all of our business cards,” Lindsay said. “We get our mission statement in front of everyone we come in contact with. We proudly display the statement on our walls, and that helps show our commitment to it.”
In terms of enriching the lives of the students, Lindsay said that they do this in three ways, their campus recreation and intramural program, inter-collegiate athletic programs, and student jobs.
Having taken part in intramurals throughout my entire post-secondary career, I definitely agree with Lindsay, who said the campus recreation program is meant to promote sociability, fun, and an active lifestyle.
Let me tell you, it was definitely fun last week when the intramural football team, that many of my co-workers and myself were a part of, won the championship trophy, and more importantly the much prized championship t-shirt.
Regarding student jobs, preparation for the workforce through training and supervision is a primary reason for the student leadership in training program through athletics, according to Lindsay.
“We try to match up the jobs here in athletics with the areas of interest, and programs that they are in at the school,” Lindsay said.
Inter-collegiate athletics is something I wish I had experienced in my university and college career, as I feel the positive attributes gained by participating athletes would be very valuable towards an individuals career, regardless of the field.
Lindsay agreed when he said the skills earned through participation in an elite-level of sport is something employers value.
He added that teamwork, commitment, dedication, fitness, social skills, professional etiquette, increased self-esteem, and the ability to take direction having been coached for years, are essential aspects that athletes can take away from their athletic experience.
“It all adds to their career and their resume. It makes them more of a prime candidate for employers,” Lindsay said.
The College's Board of Governors have three policies that have particular importance towards students and applicants; The Commitment to Quality Policy, The Student Success Policy, and The Interaction with Students Policy.
Lindsay said that athletics primary focus is producing a quality product and lists having state-of-the-art facilities, having good equipment, and even the best available uniforms all coincides with the Quality Policy.
“Everything here is first class,” Lindsay said. “For example we put a lot of money in our coaching staff, and I feel we have one of the best staffs in Canada.”
In terms of promoting success, Lindsay said athletics provides academic advisors for each individual inter-collegiate team.
“We pride ourselves in the support we give to our athletes,” Lindsay said. “It is always one of our goals to increase graduation rates for our programs, and the programs college-wide.”
Lindsay also mentioned that athletics meets the standards of the Interaction Policy by providing equity with funding for both the men and women's programs, as well as support to individuals with disabilities.
Being an advocate for athletics, and a firm believer that sport, and competition is a vital aspect of living a high quality healthy life, I could have easily wrote my entire column on what my thoughts were only on this issue. However, I felt that it was important to get the views of Lindsay, the person in charge of athletics, to truly exemplify how this athletic department truly coincides with the objectives of Fanshawe, ultimately proving how positive an athletic department can be to the overall well-being and image of the institution.
