STUDENT ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
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 Oyster River 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.
Pease Greeters- all teams come to Pease International Tradeport to welcome soldiers back home.
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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 3,900 pairs of donated shoes have been 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:
2012-2013
Co- President: Tim Johnson, Football
Co- President: Cori Rees, Womens Lacrosse
Co- President: Cody Cormier, Mens Soccer
Secretary: Kelsey Hogan, Womens Basketball
Student-Athlete Development
…Community Service Outreach ... The Year in
Review
Community Service Projects and
Activities: all teams involved
Football Team
Bone Marrow Drive
Pease Greeters
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
Men's Ice Hockey
Maharimet Elementary School
Construction of Nature Trail
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
Middle School Field Trips: 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 2011-12.
UNH Tunnel Restoration
Project (2010)
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