Providing a Complete Student-Athlete Experience
4/30/2019 9:11:00 AM | General, Fire Up Chats
Michael Alford Fire Up Chat
Throughout over two decades in college athletics, I have been fortunate to have some of the true titans of our industry as mentors and friends.
Among the many lessons imparted to me, one has served as a guiding light as I have developed my core values and those of our department—student-athlete welfare must always remain as the top priority.
The definition of student-athlete welfare, particularly in recent years, has expanded to cover the totality of the student-athlete experience. While the physical health and well-being of the young men and women in our program is of the utmost importance, I stress to our staff that we share a great deal of responsibility in also promoting their social and emotional welfare.
 Tera Albrecht are often on the front lines of providing holistic support to our student-athletes. Their work was on full display last week at the Ferrantino Foundation Academic Excellence Banquet as over 150 student-athletes were recognized for earning a 3.5 GPA or higher.
We celebrated a great deal of team and individual academic success, but what sticks out to me is the collective excellence of our student-athlete population who boast a cumulative GPA of 3.209. As of the fall semester, our student-athletes have collectively earned over a 3.0 for 40 straight semesters.
Time and time again the men and women of our athletics program rise to meet the challenges presented by demanding schedules and championship expectations. I believe it is our duty as administrators to hold up our end of the bargain by providing the facilities and resources necessary for our teams to be successful.
For those who plan to visit our campus this summer, you will see that investment first-hand as construction begins on one of the most transformational projects in CMU Athletics History.Â
Beginning this week, we will begin demolition on the south scoreboard at Kelly/Shorts Stadium with the north board coming down next week. By the time we kick off the season in late August, a state-of-the-art, 32' x 100' board will stand in the south end zone.
Site work and demolition on the current locker room will continue throughout the summer and the temporary facilities located in Lot 64 will be in full use when our football team reports for summer workouts beginning June 2. You'll have to pardon our progress as the north end zone will remain an active construction site through the 2019 season.
With big things ahead this summer and into the fall, I hope you won't look past a few programs worthy of your attention as they come down the stretch. Our track program is setting records daily, our baseball program under first year coach Jordan Bischel is in contention in the Mid-American Conference fresh off a sweep of the Broncos and CMU softball continues to stay in the hunt in a very competitive conference race. Also, fresh off a conference championship season, our women's lacrosse program will once again compete for a title in the Southern Conference Tournament.
I am so proud of what we continue to accomplish together at CMU and invite you all to be part of this special program.
Fire up Chips!
Â
Among the many lessons imparted to me, one has served as a guiding light as I have developed my core values and those of our department—student-athlete welfare must always remain as the top priority.
The definition of student-athlete welfare, particularly in recent years, has expanded to cover the totality of the student-athlete experience. While the physical health and well-being of the young men and women in our program is of the utmost importance, I stress to our staff that we share a great deal of responsibility in also promoting their social and emotional welfare.
 Tera Albrecht are often on the front lines of providing holistic support to our student-athletes. Their work was on full display last week at the Ferrantino Foundation Academic Excellence Banquet as over 150 student-athletes were recognized for earning a 3.5 GPA or higher.
We celebrated a great deal of team and individual academic success, but what sticks out to me is the collective excellence of our student-athlete population who boast a cumulative GPA of 3.209. As of the fall semester, our student-athletes have collectively earned over a 3.0 for 40 straight semesters.
Time and time again the men and women of our athletics program rise to meet the challenges presented by demanding schedules and championship expectations. I believe it is our duty as administrators to hold up our end of the bargain by providing the facilities and resources necessary for our teams to be successful.
For those who plan to visit our campus this summer, you will see that investment first-hand as construction begins on one of the most transformational projects in CMU Athletics History.Â
Beginning this week, we will begin demolition on the south scoreboard at Kelly/Shorts Stadium with the north board coming down next week. By the time we kick off the season in late August, a state-of-the-art, 32' x 100' board will stand in the south end zone.
Site work and demolition on the current locker room will continue throughout the summer and the temporary facilities located in Lot 64 will be in full use when our football team reports for summer workouts beginning June 2. You'll have to pardon our progress as the north end zone will remain an active construction site through the 2019 season.
With big things ahead this summer and into the fall, I hope you won't look past a few programs worthy of your attention as they come down the stretch. Our track program is setting records daily, our baseball program under first year coach Jordan Bischel is in contention in the Mid-American Conference fresh off a sweep of the Broncos and CMU softball continues to stay in the hunt in a very competitive conference race. Also, fresh off a conference championship season, our women's lacrosse program will once again compete for a title in the Southern Conference Tournament.
I am so proud of what we continue to accomplish together at CMU and invite you all to be part of this special program.
Fire up Chips!
Â
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