SJU is known for developing talented student-athletes who are exceptional both athletically and academically. Add to that a new Steering Committee that's providing lessons in leadership, and these student-athletes will be ready for whatever path they take. Bobby Hastie, a junior on the track and cross country teams and a member of the committee, shares his thoughts on its impact.
It's Friday morning at 6:30 a.m. I was up much of the night catching up on school work, and while I'd give anything for a couple hours of sleep, I get changed while half awake and head from my off-campus apartment to Hagan Arena and the Wynne Hall of Fame Room, where almost a dozen other student-athletes from varied teams are arriving.
Suddenly, a burst of energy blazes around the corner. It's SJU Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner, who seems like she's been up for a few hours, as opposed to our few minutes. We're all here for the same reason: to tackle important issues and work together to improve the gameday, classroom and overall experience of the Hawk athletic family. This is the Student-Athlete Steering Committee.
We meet formally about twice a semester. A few days before each meeting, we receive an agenda with topics that range from departmental planning and University policies to national legislation around college athletics, current events and more.
The rewarding thing about the committee is not that these meetings happen, but that the discussion is so varied and deep. And, while most of today's decisions in the world are motivated by the bottom line, the formation of this Committee exemplifies Jill and SJU Athletics' commitment to creating the best student-athlete experience possible. Each member of the committee truly has a voice in the decisions that affect the daily lives of all student-athletes on Hawk Hill.
I asked some of my fellow members what they have taken from their time on the committee. Graduate student Elaine Estes '19, who ran cross country and served on the committee in 2018-19, says the Steering Committee provided her a place to "share unique experiences and ideas, and combine them with other athletes' perspectives for the betterment of all." Senior women's lacrosse defender Julia Pash immediately shared that the committee has not only given her team a voice in administrative matters, but has more importantly shown her how the athletes on the committee "can enact real change in the department." Junior men's lacrosse goalkeeper Tucker Almany has appreciated getting to know Jill and admires her concern for not just every Saint Joseph's team, but for each individual student-athlete. Junior women's basketball guard Mary Sheehan is impressed with Bodensteiner's evident "drive and passion toward taking Saint Joseph's athletics to new heights."
One of the changes we're committed to enact is improving mental health resources for student-athletes. Stress and mental well-being are significant factors in not only how a student-athlete performs on the field, but also in our overall quality of life. The department has responded enthusiastically, launching a peer support group and becoming one of the first collegiate athletics departments to partner with Calm, a leading app for sleep, meditation and relaxation.
By the time our meeting ends, our bleary-eyed sleepiness has turned into an optimistic energy. We've discussed ideas for improving mental health, optimizing nutrition, enhancing our facilities and impacting our community. We even talked about what it means to represent Saint Joseph's University as a student-athlete. The steering committee has given us, the athletes, a voice in the athletic department. And we're excited to make our voices heard.
2019-2020 Steering Committee
Jill Bodensteiner, Director of Athletics
Dr. Steve Porth '80, Professor of Management and Faculty Athletics Representative
Renie Shields '82, Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Student Experience and Senior Women Administrator
Lynn Farquhar, Head Coach, Field Hockey
Mike Glavin '78, Head Coach, Men's Track & Field and Cross Country
Christina Foggie '17 (M.S.), Special Assistant to Athletic Director
Tucker Almany '21, Men's Lacrosse
Emily Bracken '20, Women's Track & Field, Cross Country
Dumonde (Slam) Dunkley '20, Men's Rowing
Isis Gill-Reid '20, Women's Tennis and Track & Field
Bobby Hastie '21, Men's Track and Cross Country
Molly Kapala '20, Softball
Michael O'Brien '20, Golf
Slater O'Brien '20, Baseball and President, SAAC
Julia Pash '20, Women's Lacrosse
Hayden Seig '20, Baseball
Mary Sheehan '21, Women's Basketball
