During the 2017-2018 school year I was selected to serve on the Central Michigan University Athletic Committee. This committee is comprised of our new athletic director (Michael Alford), coaches, professors, two athlete representatives, and one student representative. As the student representative I attended each meeting and was able to input ideas and thoughts from the student population of CMU’s campus. Often, I listened to the other members of the committee discuss polices and rules from the national level that I had no idea existed. I was enlightened by the strict rules that student athletes, staff, and coaches had to follow, as well as how Central meets the marks for all of these standards by our Compliance Staff.
During this year a couple more exciting things occurred that I was able to learn about and input ideas about as well. One large project that Michael Alford, our athletic director, is undertaking is the building of an Chippewas Champion Center. It is planned to be built on the northern end of the Kelly Shorts Football stadium and will be home to student, fan, and athlete events. During our meetings I found that this project will be solely funded by alumni revenue and support, and that the facility is well on its way to being fully funded!
In addition to building a new facility there has been a lot of talking during these meetings about collaboration and resource sharing throughout campus. One of the largest connections that the Athletic Committee is trying to make is teaming up professors with sports that fall into their scope of practice. For example we have multiple exercise physiologist master students and professors that could use their skills to help athletes become better trained. We also have psychologist and communication professors/staff that have the resources to prepare student athletes for the challenges that they face.
Overall, being involved in the committee, I have learned how integrated Central’s community is AND that there are so many untapped resources. I truly believe that if collaboration and resource utilization continues to be a priority to the athletic and academic sectors of Central, this university will be propelled in a bright future.
McKenna Mathis 