St. John's University Athletics
Athletics Department Holds Third-Annual Spring Faculty Coach Reception
5/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | General
May 8, 2009
QUEENS, N.Y. - On Wednesday, April 29, faculty members and coaches assembled in the President's Room of Carnesecca Arena as the St. John's Department of Athletics held its third-annual Spring Honorary Faculty Coach Reception.
Faculty from the College of Professional Studies, Peter J. Tobin College of Business and the School of Education attended the breakfast reception.
"This past year, we had more than 20 faculty members participate in the Faculty Coach program," said Director of Academic Support for Student-Athletes Eric Rienecker. "The program provides an excellent opportunity for students and faculty to develop connections that go beyond the classroom."
As a "Faculty Coach," a member of the faculty participates in all of the pregame activities with the coaching staff and team members to develop a better understanding of the student-athlete experience.
At the reception, Director of Athletics Chris Monasch thanked the faculty for participation in the program. Women's soccer junior Courtney Curby gave the student-athlete's perspective and the importance of faculty support. Dr. Robert Magione, Dean of the College of Pharmacy & Allied Health Professions and the Faculty Athletic Representative, began the reception with a welcome and discussion of the importance of the relationship between faculty and student-athletes.
Rienecker spoke about the faculty coach programs available, which allow the opportunity to experience game action in the competitive BIG EAST Conference by sitting with the STJ athletic teams on the bench as a coach for the day.
He also presented awards for future partnership, indicating the direction the Department of Academic Support for Student-Athletes wants the program to go in. Dr. Nancy Kaplan, Associate Vice President for Academic Support Services, presented to special awards including, the Tutor Certification presented to Miguel Gonzales and Brigitte Brown.
Associate Vice President for Athletics, Kathy Meehan, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration John Diffley, and Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs/Finance, Brian Colleary, were also in attendance, thanking the faculty for their support and praising the student's recruiting efforts.
