UNH Athletic Department
Student Athlete Development
Cathy Coakley
Coordinator, Student Athlete Development
University of New Hampshire
145 Main St. Durham , NH 03824
603-862-4051 - cathy.coakley@unh.edu
An
Overview:
The office of Student Athlete Development exists to assist UNH
student-athletes in learning and perfecting skills necessary to be
successful in the classroom, on the playing field, in the
university and seacoast community and in life-long endeavors. We
coordinate comprehensive, sequential educational programs that
enhance personal welfare and growth. In so doing, we utilize the
expertise and services of many departments and organizations on
campus. Included in these programs are: Health (substance
use/abuse, sexually responsible behavior, sport-specific
nutrition), Hazing, Diversity and Inclusion (gender, ethnicity,
race, religion, sexual orientation), Career Planning and
Preparation, Financial Responsibility, Leadership and Community
Service.
Activities:
Wildcat Mentors- student-athletes serve as Big Brother/
Big Sisters in a mentoring program with the Newmarket Junior High
School Read Across America- groups of athletes visit
local elementary and middle schools to read and facilitate
discussion on the importance of education and staying in school Athletes Supporting Athletes- teams attend the
competitions of other UNH teams, to foster support, encouragement
and friendship among athletes and the student body Holiday Food and Toy Drives- cases of food
delivered to the UNH food pantry and boxes of toys delivered to
Toys for Tots
Hoops for Hunger-
over 120 students from across the UNH campus joined our
student-athletes to compete in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to
raise money and contribute canned/box food items for the
local Cornucopia Food Pantry.
Events: Annual Halloween
Costume Contest for all athletic department personnel,
judged by student-athletes
“Sno-Ball”
– winter social event to bring student-athletes from all
sports together, to promote interaction and camaraderie
Career Planning
Night- for juniors and seniors to meet alumni and
business people. The evening was a series of workshops, discussion
and networking.
Alternative Spring
Break- student-athletes traveled to New Orleans and
West Virginia to assist in community rebuilding
Presentation by Tim
Wierman, nationally recognized sports nutritionist, to
all coaches, athletes and athletic department personnel on
sports-specific health and wellness issues
Tunnel Restoration
Project- SAAC and UNH athletes are teaming up to paint
and add graphics to the Main Street tunnel
Soles 4 Souls Shoe
Collection - Over 1,200 pairs of donated shoes were
shipped to people in need in the U.S. and abroad
Student Athlete Advisory
Committee: SAAC
This is a leadership group, selected by coaches and teammates,
that acts as liaison between the athletic administration and
student-athletes. All teams were represented this year.
The purpose of SAAC:
To provide communication and feedback to the athletic
administration regarding student-athletes' concerns, policies and
procedures.
To disseminate information from the administration, campus
organizations and the conference to their coaches and
teammates.
To promote UNH Athletics in a positive way across campus, in
Durham and throughout the seacoast area.
To build “community” within the Athletic Department by
involving all teams in activities, events and educational
programs
To be a voice in the America East Conference and NCAA regarding
legislation, policy and community outreach
To increase student body, faculty and staff attendance at athletic
events by increasing athlete visibility and involvement in campus
activities
To organize community service projects that involve all teams,
collectively and individually
SAAC Officers:
2011-2012
Co-President: Kendall Deck, Field Hockey
Co-President: Ilana Cohen, Lacrosse
Co-President: Paul Atkinson, Skiing
Vice President: Tim Johnson, Football
Vice President: Claire Grogan, Field Hockey
Secretary: Allison Letourneau, Track & Field
Student-Athlete Development … 2010-11 … Community Service Outreach ... The Year
in Review
Community Service Projects and
Activities: all teams involved
Gymnastics Team
Relay For Life
Parents Night Out
Weekly gymnastics classes for youngsters
Women's Basketball
Team
St. Thomas More Yard Sale
Mast Way Elementary School After-School Activities
Men's Basketball
Team
St. Thomas More Yard Sale
February Vacation Youth Basketball Clinic
Lacrosse Team
Visits to The Inn at Sprucewood
Cats for Cure
Volleyball Team
Special Olympics
Habitat for Humanity
Men's & Women's Ice Hockey
Teams
Bobcat Bolt
St. Thomas More Yard Sale
Field Hockey Team
Bobcat Bolt
Volunteer at Northeast Passage
Swimming & Diving
Team
Doe Farm clean-up
Men's Soccer Team Youth clinics/Soles for Souls
Route 4 clean-up
Merrimack Middle School's Seventh Grade Field Trip
(2010): Twenty athletes, representing most of our teams,
hosted and led tours of the athletic facilities, supervised games
and contests, conducted discussion on “commitment” and
teamwork. (estimated 50 hours)
Note: Collective
team involvement, plus special projects by individual teams,
exceeded 4,500 community service hours for 2010-11.
The office of Student Athlete Development exists to assist UNH
student-athletes in learning and perfecting skills necessary to be
successful in the classroom, on the playing field, in the
university and seacoast community and in life-long endeavors. We
coordinate comprehensive, sequential educational programs that
enhance personal welfare and growth. In so doing, we utilize the
expertise and services of many departments and organizations on
campus. Included in these programs are: Health (substance
use/abuse, sexually responsible behavior, sport-specific
nutrition), Hazing, Diversity and Inclusion (gender, ethnicity,
race, religion, sexual orientation), Career Planning and
Preparation, Financial Responsibility, Leadership and Community
Service.
Wildcat Mentors- student-athletes serve as Big Brother/
Big Sisters in a mentoring program with the Newmarket Junior High
School
Community Service Projects and
Activities: all teams involved
Volleyball Team
Merrimack Middle School's Seventh Grade Field Trip
(2010): Twenty athletes, representing most of our teams,
hosted and led tours of the athletic facilities, supervised games
and contests, conducted discussion on “commitment” and
teamwork. (estimated 50 hours)
