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Get Involved: Faculty Mentor Program
During the fall of 2007, the Stevens Institute of Technology Department of Athletics launched its Adopt-a-Team Program, which is designed to further bridge the gap between academics and athletics. Under this new initiative, the Department is looking to create a mutually-beneficial relationship between the Stevens faculty and varsity athletic teams. Through this program, faculty members will have the ability to become increasingly involved in a particular sport and serve in a mentor role to the student-athletes.
The main purpose of the Adopt-a-Team program is to give students on each team a faculty member who can come to better understand the challenges of being a serious student and athlete. Consequently, the faculty mentor will be able to help these students balance their roles as effectively as possible. Furthermore, the program aims to create an increased understanding among the faculty of the particular challenges that student-athletes face. In addition, it will show the students that the college supports their commitment to the Institute's overall academic mission.
Stevens Athletics Director Russell Rogers said of the program, "Stevens Athletics has always valued its relationship with the administration and faculty at the Institute. We have received tremendous support throughout the years. With this program, we look to build off that strong foundation and create an even better support system that will benefit all parties involved."
At the present time, the program is designed to allow for some flexibility with regards to the exact role that faculty members serve with their teams. Ideally, when a faculty member is formally assigned to a sport, the individual will meet with the head coach to discuss ideas or ways that they can best serve the team. Over time, the faculty member is expected to establish an ongoing professional relationship with the coaching staff and students that allows for open communication. The Department of Athletics would also like the faculty mentor to meet with the student-athletes to discuss how to balance participation on a team with strong academic performance. In many cases, the faculty member will have valuable information in terms of ways to develop good relationships with professors, effective means to participate in class and ways to seek help academically.
The varsity teams are expected to reciprocate the faculty's involvement by incorporating them into the daily routines of the team. This can take many forms, but the coaching staff should keep the mentor apprised of the team's practice and game schedules. Furthermore, the coaches will provide team apparel to the faculty member and find other creative ways to involve them with the student-athletes - which could include traveling to away events, attending team dinners, speaking at team meetings, participating in practice sessions, etc.
Any faculty member that is interested in joining the program should email rrogers@stevens.edu or call (201) 216-5688.
Faculty Mentors
Baseball: Donald Lombardi, School of Business & Anthony Shupenko, Civil Environmental & Ocean Engineering
Men's Basketball: Jon Miller, Davidson Laboratory
Women's Basketball: TBD
Cross Country and Track & Field: Ron Besser, Chemical Engineering & Material Science
Field Hockey: Leslie Brunell, Civil Environmental & Ocean Engineering
Men's Fencing: Henry Du, Chemical Engineering & Material Science
Women's Fencing: Rainer Martini, Graduate Studies/Physics
Golf: Jim Biagi, School of Business
Men's Lacrosse: Donald Lombardi, School of Business
Women's Lacrosse: Vikki Hazelwood, Biomedical Engineering
Men's Soccer: TBD
Women's Soccer: Kaitlin Donohue, College of Arts & Letters, Matthew Libera, Chemical Engineering & Material Science, & Nicole Malantchouk, School of Business
Softball: TBD
Swimming: TBD
Men's Volleyball: Kevin Ryan, School of Business
Tennis: Richard Anderson, School of Business
Women's Volleyball: Lindsey Cormack, College of Arts & Letters
Wrestling: Donald Lombardi, School of Business & Paul Rohmeyer, School of Business
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