Athletics is a Student Affair: Team Up to Manage Crisis

Session Overview• 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• 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

• 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

Alcohol Sexual Assault

Violence Drugs

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)

• 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. Amenorrhea2. Dehydration3. Gastrointestinal Problems4. Hypothermia (cold tolerance)5. Stress Fractures (and overuse injuries)6. Significant Weight Loss7. Muscle Cramps, Weakness, or Fatigue8. 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 Depression2. Claims of “feeling fat” despite being thin3. Excessive Exercise4. Excessive Use of Restroom5. Unfocused, Difficulty Concentrating6. Preoccupation with weight and eating7. Avoidance of Eating and Eating situations8. Use of Laxatives, Diet Pills, etc.

Sherman & Thompson (2013)Managing the Female Athlete Triad. NCAA: Sports Science Institute

Eating Disorders and the Student/Athlete

Eating D/OExercising

Vomiting, Diuretics, Laxatives Dieting/Restricting

Total

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

0%

47%

20%

14%20%2%

41%

4%

16%

25%

Pathogenic Behaviors - malePathogenic Behaviors - female

Exercising = at least one hour per week Extreme Measures = at least once during last week Dieting = at least twice in the last year

(Petrie, Greenleaf, Reel, & Carter, 2008) (Greenleaf, Petrie, Carter, & Reel, 2009)

Best Practices: Eating Disorders

• 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

• 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 Exercise1. List at least two methods to reduce barriers to collaboration between

athletics and student affairs on your campus.

2. List at least two well-being issues where athletics and student affairs can collaborate on your campus.

3. 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