Gwynedd Mercy University Student-Athlete Manual 2017-18 GWYNEDD MERCY UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT Important Telephone Numbers All numbers are (215) 646-7300 + Extension Athletic Fax Number – 215-542-4683 Keith Mondillo Director of Athletics .................................................................................... 574 Paul Murphy Associate Director of Athletics ................................................................... 533 Joanne Talarico Administrative Assistant - Athletics ............................................................ 252 STAFF John Baron Academic Coordinator for Athletes ............................................................ 358 Kevin Clark Outdoor Facilities Coordinator ................................................................... 368 Laura Ann Lane Intramurals Coordinator/SWA .................................................................... 367 Dana Lindstrom Equipment Manager .................................................................................... 362 Chris Panter Sports Information Director ........................................................................ 273 Shannon Algeo Assistant Sports Information Director ................................................ 363 Dr. Patrick McGrain Faculty Athletic Representative .................................................................. 464 ATHLETIC TRAINING STAFF Jenna Allonardo Head Athletic Trainer .................................................................................. 251 Robert Wright Assistant Athletic Trainer ............................................................................ 183 Mercedes Himmons Assistant AthleticTrainer ............................................................................. 481 The Gwynedd Mercy University Student-Athlete Handbook is published annually by the Gwynedd Mercy University Athletic Department. The provisions of this guide are not to be regarded as a contract between the student and Gwynedd Mercy University. The University reserves the right to change any provision or requirement at any time within the student’s term of residence. Gwynedd Mercy University does not discriminate in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to admissions or employment on the basis of race,2 color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sex, age, or veterans status. Gwynedd Mercy University is an equal opportunity employer. GWYNEDD MERCY UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC PROGRAM Gwynedd Mercy University will offer the following varsity programs for student participation. Fall Sports Winter Sports Spring Sports M/W Cross Country Men’s Basketball Baseball Men’s Soccer Women’s Basketball Men’s Tennis Women’s Field Hockey M/W Indoor Track & Field Women’s Tennis Women’s Soccer Men’s Lacrosse Women’s Volleyball Women’s Lacrosse Softball M/W Outdoor Track & Field Gwynedd Mercy University is a member of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC), formerly known as the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC). Gwynedd Mercy University was a charter member of the PAC, which was formed in 1992 by 10 insti- tutions looking for a conference with members of similar philosophy and size and within a reasonable traveling distance. Since its inception, the league has grown to 12 full-time members and one associate member for men’s lacrosse. CSAC Members Cabrini University Cairn University Cedar Crest College Centenary University Clarks Summit University Gwynedd Mercy University Immaculata University Keystone College Marywood University Neumann University Notre Dame of Maryland University Rosemont College On the national level, Gwynedd Mercy University is affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). We are a member of the NCAA at the Division III level. Gwynedd Mercy University embraces the NCAA Division III philosophy (pg. 4/5). Institutions with membership at the NCAA Division III level do not provide scholarships related to athletic ability or participation. 3 ATHLETICS VISION STATEMENT The vision of the Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Department is to provide students with an opportunity to compete success- fully in intercollegiate activities as an integral part of their educational experience. The department will seek to attract a population of student-athletes who will succeed academically and athletically. The Athletic Department will provide a learning environment with participation opportunities for student-athletes to develop their leadership potential. Win or lose, student-athletes are encouraged to work hard, exhibit sportsmanship, and demonstrate respect for teammates, opposition, coaches, officials and fans. The Athletic programs standards, goals and ideals must remain in harmony with the College’s academic programs. The Athletic program will be conducted in a manner that is most conducive to the physical welfare of the student-athletes, allowing them to grow physically, emotionally and intellectually. Academic success of our student-athletes is considered paramount. Our Administrators, coaches and athletic department staff are dedicated to maintaining the College’s reputation for integrity and ex- cellence, both on and off the playing fields. All athletic contests, practices and related activities will be conducted in total compliance as set forth by Gwynedd Mercy University, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Eastern College Athletic Con- ference (ECAC) and the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). Department staff will seek to steadily improve the quality of the athletics programs through professional development, conferences and department meetings. The Gwynedd Mercy University Athletics Department will provide student-athletes the opportunity to learn valuable life skills through athletic participation. Through athletic competition, student-athletes will acquire personal achievement, social responsibil- ity, and moral integrity. Gwynedd Mercy University Athletic program objectives: 1. Operate in an environment consistent with the mission of the college. 2. Provide the best athletic competition possible without sacrificing academic integrity and academic standards. 3. Ensure the integration of student-athletes into the institutional life of the college. 4. Provide quality athletic facilities for athletic participation and college community usage. 5. Use intercollegiate athletics as a means to bring together the college community and the alumni, to provide a source of institution- al pride through athletic competition and academic integrity. 6. Gwynedd Mercy University demands the athletic department functions with integrity, social responsibility, ethical standards and strict adherence to the guidelines set forth by the NCAA, ECAC and CSAC. 4 DIVISION III PHILOSPHY STATEMENT Colleges and universities in Division III place highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students' academic programs. They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete's athletics activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete's educational experience, and in which coaches play a significant role as educators. They also seek to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among their student-athletes and athletics staff. To achieve this end, Division III institutions: (a) Place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators and place greater emphasis on the internal constituency (student, alumni, institutional personnel) than on the general public and its entertainment needs; (b) Award no athletically related financial aid to any student; (c) Encourage the development of sportsmanship and positive social attitudes in all constituents, including student-athletes, coaches, administrative personnel and spectators; (d) Encourage participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities for their students; (e) Assure that the actions of coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes; (f) Assure that athletics participants are not treated differently from other members of the student body; (g) Assure that athletics programs support the institution's educational mission by financing, staffing and controlling the programs through the same general procedures as other departments of the institution. Further, the administration of an institution’s athletics program (e.g., hiring, compensation, professional development, certification of coaches) should be integrated into the campus culture and educational mission; (h) Assure that athletics recruitment complies with established institutional policies and procedures applicable to the admissions process; (i) Assure that academic performance of student-athletes is, at a minimum, consistent with that of the general student body; (j) Assure that admission policies for student-athletes comply with policies and procedures applicable to the general student body; 5 (k) Provide equitable athletic opportunities for males and females and give equal emphasis to men's and women’s sports; (l) Support ethnic and gender diversity for all constituents; (m) Give primary emphasis to regional in-season competition and conference championships; (n) Support student-athletes in their efforts to reach high levels of athletic performance, which may include opportunities for participation