The other day there was a hint of Fall in the air when I stepped outside to do my morning walk. It brought a much needed level of excitement and joy! Excitement and joy because it’s September and we made it here (goodbye August!) also because yay for cooler weather… especially here in the South. Lastly, there’s excitement and joy because of Fall sports! For those that don’t know me, I am a college football fan! There is just something magical when you’re in the stadium and the band is playing and fans are cheering its electric! Not that you asked but I cheer consistently for 3 schools, 1. My undergrad institution, 2. My graduate institution and 3. The school that is currently paying me (yay payday!). As a fan, I have been through enough rebuilding years and national championship seasons. Even when the season is off to a rocky start, my loyalty remains intact! With that being said, Go Noles! Go Dawgs! Go Deacs! In that order.
As I was trying to figure out a topic for this September blog, I was inspired by the start of Fall sports, not just football but soccer, volleyball, field hockey, cross country and the list could go on depending on your institution. So why not shed a little light on the student-athletes that live among us in the residence halls. They bring their unique schedules, commitments and perspectives. They often crave the “true” college experience but that isn’t often what they can get due to practices, meetings and a host of other commitments. Engaging these individuals within the residence halls can dramatically enhance their college experience while fostering community among all residents.
Here are some tailored strategies to effectively engage student-athletes and make sure they show up as part of the life in Residence Life. These strategies are probably not groundbreaking or the next best thing since sliced bread but if it sparks an inkling of creativity or you take an idea and make it better, then my job here is done!
Engage student-athletes by: Hosting Timely and Beneficial Events
The dual pressures of academics and athletics can be overwhelming. Offer workshops led by academic success centers, mental health professionals, or athletic staff focused on time management, wellness, nutrition, injury prevention tips and stress reduction techniques. Not only will this be beneficial for student-athletes, but it can also offer non-athlete residents valuable insights into balancing a busy lifestyle and not over committing themselves. Everyone could benefit from a conversation like this.
Additionally, hosting events at times that accommodate their availability is crucial. Consider early morning or late evening activities. How do you find out about their schedules? You can ask the students directly or reach out to Athletics to better understand the typical free times for the students in a particular sport. This will vary from sports team to sports team but having a general idea is what you need. In addition to what’s listed above, consider organizing workshops, fitness challenges, or team-building activities. These events can encourage interaction not only among athletes but also with non-athlete peers. For instance, host a “Sports Night” with trivia about various sports, providing a fun way for residents to learn more about student-athlete experiences. Make personal contact with the student-athletes in the hall so they know you want to see them out at the program/event.
Engage student-athletes by: Collaborating with your Athletic Department/Unit
Make the time to work closely with your athletic departments to understand the needs and schedules of your student-athletes. Collaborative efforts can lead to joint programming, where residence life and athletics partner to host events, workshops, or services specifically aimed at enhancing the student-athlete experience. This collaboration can help provide a better understanding of the time constraints and pressures athletic commitments place on students. Understanding this population of students can only help you as you continue to work directly or indirectly with them in the future. Reach out to the Athletic Academic Support team this should hopefully provide an easy entrance into the world as they have certain requirements (which could include programming) that they must do with their student athletes. If by chance they aren’t the right person for you to make contact with they can point you in the right direction.
Engage student-athletes by: Integrating Athletic Events into Res Life Activities
Encourage attendance at athletic events by making them a residence hall activity. Consider organizing group outings to games or hosting watch parties for major competitions. Consider the sports that may not be heavily attended by the general student body at your institution. Find ways to gather residents to go support those teams. Can you imagine the joy an athlete would feel to see the stands full but also see some familiar faces from their residential community, just magical!
Engage student-athletes by: Highlighting their Achievements
Celebrate the accomplishments of student athletes within the residence hall. This could be through bulletin boards, social media shout-outs, or special recognition events. Acknowledging their hard work and success can boost morale and foster a sense of pride.
Engage student-athletes by: Creating Athlete-Led Initiatives
Empower student-athletes to take an active role in their res hall by encouraging them to lead initiatives. This could range from organizing fitness classes to planning community service projects. When athletes lead their peers, it fosters respect and rapport, breaking down stereotypes and enhancing the sense of community for all residents. Now our first year athletes may feel a little less confident in doing this but find ways to engage those upperclass student-athletes that live within the halls.
Engage student-athletes by: Facilitating Open Forums for Feedback
Creating a supportive environment means actively listening to your residents. Host open forums, dedicated office hours or discussion nights where student-athletes can share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improvements or whatever they would like to discuss. Hearing directly from them allows you to better tailor your approach, engagement strategies and/or the initiatives you offer to better meet their needs. Do your best to maintain open lines of communication and regularly check in with them to better understand their needs and concerns.
Lastly, but definitely another pretty cool thing to do is…
Engage student-athletes by: Encouraging Leadership Roles
Involve student-athletes in leadership positions within the residence hall, such as resident assistants, peer mentors or insert the name of a position on your campus. Their discipline, teamwork skills, and leadership experience can be valuable assets to the community. I am lucky to have worked with some amazing student-athletes who have shown up both on and off the field of play. Don’t count them out just because they are athletes. They are ready to be put in the game!
While these strategies can work for all students to some extent, the purpose of this blog is to remind us to pay special attention to our student-athletes and make sure they feel engaged and a part of our residential community. Engaging them effectively not only enhances their residential experience but also contributes to a vibrant and inclusive community for all residents. Again, I bring back my excitement from the start of this post…It’s Fall Y’all! Get your quarter-zips ready, pour up some hot chocolate or coffee and let’s get ready for all that Fall semester brings! Get ready for all the sports and especially for more engagement in our residence halls!
Go Team!
