Philosophy Statement

The Washington College Athletic Department is committed to providing a positive, challenging, competitive, and fair athletic experience for all student-athletes that emphasizes the principles of personal integrity, sportsmanship, wellness, and fulfillment of each individual’s potential. These aims are achieved through attention to three general areas in the administration of its programs: the role of athletics in the academic setting; the role of the coach and the Department in the athlete’s competitive experience; and the health and well-being of the student-athlete.

The Department is an NCAA Division III program, guided by the philosophy that athletics are an integral part of the overall educational experience of the student-athlete. The Department recognizes that participation in college athletics requires a significant commitment but seeks to ensure minimal interference with the student-athlete’s academic schedule.

Additionally, the Athletic Program promotes amateurism and participant-oriented events in which the best interest of the student-athletes is foremost. The Department also places priority on programs that are in their traditional season of competition.

The Department is committed to providing an environment and resources that allow teams and student-athletes to achieve success on a conference, regional, or national level. In that pursuit of excellence, however, the Department emphasizes sportsmanship and personal integrity and expects student-athletes, coaches, and other departmental personnel to act accordingly. As a department of an NCAA Division III member institution, the Athletic Department also monitors and corrects any non-compliance with the NCAA rules.

The Department is fully committed to the health and well-being of the student-athletes who participate on varsity athletic teams. To that end, the Department seeks to provide a safe environment by providing qualified sports medicine personnel, high standard athletic training facilities, peer education, and a support network that addresses the athletic, academic, and social concerns of student-athletes. The Department also promotes a positive relationship between student-athletes and their coaches.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Department is fully committed to the principles and practices of equal opportunity for men and women. In addition, the Department is dedicated to creating an environment that values cultural and gender diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, color, national and ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other legally protected classification.

Mission Statement

The Washington College Athletics Family will provide each of our student-athletes a first-class athletic experience, invaluable life lessons, and a lifetime of personal engagement.

Vision Statement

The Washington College Athletic Department seeks to become the premiere Division III athletic program in the country. We will accomplish this by offering our student-athletes the highest quality athletic experience available at any small college in the United States, providing fair and competitive opportunities. We will achieve that excellence by maintaining the highest quality facilities, coaching, and support for all of our athletic teams.

Additionally, the Athletic Department will contribute significantly to Washington College in the areas of enrollment, retention, publicity, alumni relations, diversity, community relations, and fundraising.

Specifically, the Department looks to pursue excellence through the following:

•  Encouraging our student-athletes to succeed academically and graduate with strong GPAs, placing at least 30% of all athletes on each semester’s academic Athletic Honor Roll (3.0 or higher). Additionally, our goal is for our athletes to be consistently represented on the Centennial Conference honor roll;
•  Staffing the Athletic Department sufficiently to provide the best athletic experience possible for our student-athletes through a combination of national and regional searches to attract highly qualified candidates for all positions;
• Providing comprehensive services for our student-athletes to promote their personal, athletic, and academic growth in order to achieve their full potential. This will be accomplished by continuing to participate in the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program, maintaining an effective and visible Student-Athlete-Mentor (SAM) program, and providing other related services;
• Supporting teams so that they can be competitive in the Centennial Conference, as well as regionally and nationally. This will occur through providing resources that enable coaches to recruit high quality student-athletes, supply appropriate and up-to-date equipment, and ensure safe, sufficient and comfortable travel. Additionally, the Department will continue to strive for state-of-the-art playing venues that are equivalent to those at other top Division III programs in the country;
• Recruiting and developing student-athletes who will contribute to the Washington College community;
• Providing a challenging professional environment for athletic department staff;
• Continuing to expand and adjust to changes in the school environment, federal and state legislation, and the interests and abilities of our student-athletes; and
• Maintaining and promoting an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among student-athletes and departmental staff.