Montevallo Implements New Faculty/Staff Team Advisory Program

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - The University of Montevallo Athletic Department has announced the initiation of the new Faculty/Staff Team Advisory program. Seven faculty members and two University staff members have agreed to participate in the program and will be working with student-athletes across UM’s 11 NCAA intercollegiate programs.

“I am pleased with the enthusiastic response from the faculty and staff for this new initiative,” said Athletic Director Jim Herlihy. “This program will be a good avenue for direct, informal interaction between our student athletes and the members of the academic and campus community who have agreed to participate and to develop this program.”

The goal of the Faculty/Staff Team Advisor program is to develop a support system for student-athletes as they face the challenges of college life and balancing their rigorous academic responsibilities and their athletic commitments. Faculty/Staff Team Advisors will help each of the nearly 200 Montevallo student-athletes realize their academic and athletic goals.

“We want to advocate for our athletic program and for our student-athletes,” stated Herlihy. “This advocacy includes a firm commitment to academic excellence as well as to athletic success. The intent is for the Faculty/Staff Advisors to craft their roles with their teams in a manner that is comfortable and manageable from a time commitment perspective and will allow them to provide guidance, expertise, perspective and support.”

Dr. Houston Byrd, who served the past 18 months as Faculty Athletic Representative and Chair of the University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Committee, believes the program is a great addition to the support system that Montevallo student-athletes have during their college careers.

“This program will contribute significantly to our efforts to ensure that our student-athletes excel academically and athletically,” said Dr. Byrd. “Having faculty and staff available as advisors for our student-athletes will also strengthen the UM community through a better understanding of the balance between athletics and academics. We are excited that all four Colleges are represented, which shows the diverse academic make-up of our student-athletes. All those serving as advisors are to be commended on their willingness to participate in this initiative.”

Faculty/Staff Team Advisory List for 2011-12

Mr. Herlihy would like to invite other faculty and administrators to participate in the program. If interested, please contact the Department of Athletics at 665-6600.