Kirkwood Community College Athletic Department

Vision

The stakeholders of the department include student athletes, parents, coaches, employees, governing bodies such as the NJCAA and the community at large.  Our role is to promote the value of our department throughout the college, model great sportsmanship and bring pride to the college through our efforts.   Our values include the art of winning and losing, hard work, integrity, student success, mutual respect and pride.  We take great pride in making a difference with the students and families we serve, establishing relationships with other coaches and the community and the dealing effectively with the challenges that make us better everyday.

The athletic programs provide great value and make an impact on the student that is in itself a classroom.  On a daily basis, the coaches teach leadership, team building, communication skills, accountability, discipline and humility.  On a local, state and national level, the programs bring respect and credibility to the college due to their collective successes.  We are competitive for Division 1 recruits even though we administer Division 2 level programs.

In 2010, the athletic department will be staffed with full-time coaches that are housed physically in the same location.  We have implemented a formal academic support structure for athletes with greater facility capacity for our events.  In addition, we have a full-time trainer and a sports information director.

Capacity

We expect our athletes to do well academically and are able to focus on their special needs.  In addition we have expanded our athletic trainer services to enhance strength and conditioning training.  Head coaches have more of their contract devoted to recruitment and retention of student/athletes and are therefore able to deal with the complexity of problems and issues inherent in athletic programs.  The department has a formal plan that focuses on student success, event participation and additional fundraising opportunities. 

Ownership

We are committed to putting the best athlete in the field and the best student in the classroom.  We will do a better job of celebrating our successes and continue a high level of integrity when faced with adversity. 

Support

Financially we will continue our current efforts of funding programs equally and proportionally.  We will continue to run high quality programs thus creating a positive “event” for Kirkwood and the regional community.    We will recognize others and be recognized as a department and continue to expect great results from each other.

Dashboard Indicators

The coaches have not finalized this list but some initial ideas may include the following.

  • Number of conference, regional and national titles
  • Student Success, i.e. transfer and graduation rates in addition to eligibility while at KCC.
  • Number of people attending events i.e., students, staff and faculty and/or community participants.
  • Retention of coaches.
  • Facility improvements/additions.

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