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.

 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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) 


Before After
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