Athletics is a Student Affair: Team Up to Manage Crisis
Session Overview
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Welcome and Introductions
Learning Objectives
Case No. 1: Conduct Issue
Address Barriers to Collaboration, Ways to Overcome Barriers, Part 1
Case No. 2: Eating Disorder Issue
Address Barriers to Collaboration, Ways to Overcome Barriers, Part 2
Individual Exercise
National Updates
Close Session
Panel
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Monique Bernoudy, Northern Illinois University
Tim Millerick, Austin College
Jeff Graham, Frostburg State University
Leah Kareti, NCAA
Learning Objectives
1. Participants will be able to identify at least two methods to reduce
barriers to collaboration between athletics and student affairs.
2. Participants will be able to identify at least two well-being issues
where athletics and student affairs can collaborate.
3. Participants will be able to identify at least two actions to take in
collaborating on the topics identified in objective #2.
Case No. 1
Conduct Issue
Barriers to Collaboration between
Athletics and Student Affairs
• Isolation rather than collaboration
• Communication challenges
• Myopic thinking on a two-way street
• Unrealistic expectations
• Fear of the unknown
• Scheduling challenges
Breaking Down Barriers
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Cross-functional training and support
Developing a shared vision
Commitment to learning
Collaborate by building alliances
Interdependence rather than independence
Share resources (academic support, primary prevention, SAAC)
Promote the success of all students
Challenges Facing Student-Athletes
• Social concerns about fitting in with
others
• Performance, academic and athletic
• Financial
• Relationships, including sex
• Health
• Wellness
• Alcohol and drugs
• Legal and policy violations
• Parents and family
The same obstacles
that all students face!
The Big Five
Sexual
Assault
Alcohol
Drugs
Violence
Academic
Dishonesty
Best Practices: Conduct-related Issues
• Young adults will make mistakes and occasionally exercise poor
judgment
• Know your university’s student conduct policies
– Don’t confuse them with team policies
– Ensure alignment between athletics and student conduct
• Personal and professional ethics are all we can control
Best Practices: Conduct-related Issues
• Be clear with student expectations (and make sure student-athletes
are aware of campus policies)
• Meet and interface regularly with student conduct staff
• Stay current on OCR Title IX information
Best Practices: Conduct-related Issues
• Want to know what’s going on with your athletes
• Identify systematic resources (internal processes that allow you to find
out about conduct-related issues)
• Know your university’s processes and potential sanctions
• Support your athletes (without enabling) within the context of the
organization
Best Practices: Conduct-related Issues
• Student conduct systems are designed to be fundamentally equitable
• Don’t take it personally
• Partner with campus police
• Partner with Student Affairs for innovative prevention programs
The Relationship of Alcohol and Student-Athlete
Concerns
• Student-athletes consume alcohol at higher rates than non-athletes
(Brenner & Swanik, 2007)
• Student-athletes are more likely to experience alcohol-related harms
than non-athletes (Grossbard, Geisner, Neighbors, Kilmer, & Larimer, 2007)
• Student-athletes are more likely to drink to conform to peers (Huchting, Lac,
Hummer, & LaBrie, 2011)
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Group influence may be stronger among student-athletes, including
influence over alcohol-related decisions (Zamboanga, Rodriguez, & Horton, 2008)
Case No. 2
Easting Disorder
Disordered Eating
Physical/Medical Signs and Symptoms:
1. Amenorrhea
2. Dehydration
3. Gastrointestinal Problems
4. Hypothermia (cold tolerance)
5. Stress Fractures (and overuse injuries)
6. Significant Weight Loss
7. Muscle Cramps, Weakness, or Fatigue
8. Dental and Gum Problems
Sherman & Thompson (2013)
Managing the Female Athlete Triad.
NCAA: Sports Science Institute
Disordered Eating
Psychological/Behavioral Signs and Symptoms:
1. Anxiety and/or Depression
2. Claims of “feeling fat” despite being thin
3. Excessive Exercise
4. Excessive Use of Restroom
5. Unfocused, Difficulty Concentrating
6. Preoccupation with weight and eating
7. Avoidance of Eating and Eating situations
8. Use of Laxatives, Diet Pills, etc.
Sherman & Thompson (2013)
Managing the Female Athlete Triad.
NCAA: Sports Science Institute
Eating Disorders and the Student/Athlete
47%
50%
• Exercising = at least one hour per week
• Extreme Measures = at least once during last week
• Dieting = at least twice in the last year
41%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
25%
4%
15%
10%
5%
16%
20%
2%
20%
14%
0%
20%
Pathogenic Behaviors - male
Pathogenic Behaviors - female
0%
Eating D/O
Exercising
Vomiting, Diuretics,
Laxatives
Dieting/Restricting
Total
(Petrie, Greenleaf, Reel, & Carter, 2008)
(Greenleaf, Petrie, Carter, & Reel, 2009)
Best Practices: Eating Disorders
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Be informed: NCAA Nutrition and Performance Resources
Check yourself: what are your saying and doing?
Involve nutritionists as part of your strength and conditioning regiment
Make information readily available to student-athletes and coaches
regarding eating disorders
• Use the university counseling center as a resource
• Watch for signs and symptoms: conversations between athletes, skipping
meals, physiological symptoms
Best Practices: Eating Disorders
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Establish expectations for self-care
Don’t avoid the tough conversations with athletes
Use the experts, including nurses and dietitians
Negotiate healthy options with dining services
Involve presentations on the physiological effects of nutrition on athletic
performance: call in kinesiology
• Partner with Student Affairs to address this issue from a holistic perspective
• Make referrals
Individual Exercise
1. List at least two methods to reduce barriers to collaboration between
athletics and student affairs on your campus.
1. List at least two well-being issues where athletics and student affairs can
collaborate on your campus.
1. List two actions you will take to enhance athletics and student-affairs
collaboration on your campus.
National Updates
• Establishment of Student-Athlete Knowledge Community within NASPA
– Collaboration with GLBT Knowledge Community
• NCAA Division III – NASPA Alcohol and Other Drug Collaborative
• CHOICES Grants
• NCAA Speakers Grants
Final Questions?
Thank You