Athletics Committee
About the Committee
The Athletics Committee shall provide oversight in matters relating to intercollegiate athletics. More specifically, the committee’s responsibilities shall be to:
- Review annually all policies of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and the American Southwest Conference (ASC) and present recommendations to ensure that the University’s intercollegiate athletics programs are in compliance with the letter and the spirit of these policies.
- Develop recommendations related to the philosophy of non-scholarship athletics and their importance at the University as well as to items of a related nature which should be presented to the board of the NCAA, Division III.
- Evaluate the statement of the aims and objectives of the University’s intercollegiate athletics program and recommend changes when appropriate.
- Review policies and make recommendations related to participation in particular sports, schedules, University eligibility requirements for student-athletes, annual selection of scholar athletes and other items related to intercollegiate athletics as appropriate.
- Consider and rule upon appeals from student-athletes for exceptions to certain Sul Ross State University student eligibility requirements for intercollegiate athletics and formally report such actions to the president.
- Participate in the periodic self-study of the intercollegiate athletics program.
Faculty Athletics Representative
As a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Sul Ross State University is required to designate a faculty member as Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR). The Faculty Athletics Representative plays an important role in the oversight of the intercollegiate athletics program by providing a voice that reflects traditional faculty values to ensure the academic integrity of the program and the welfare of student-athletes. The president shall seek input from the Faculty Assembly and appoint a tenured faculty member to serve as Faculty Athletics Representative for a three-year, renewable term. The Faculty Athletics Representative shall not hold an administrative of coaching position in the athletics department. The specific responsibilities of the Faculty Athletics Representative focus on the following aspects of the intercollegiate athletics program:
- Eligibility: The FAR shall know and understand the eligibility requirements of the NCAA, the American Southwest Conference, and Sul Ross State University. After the team eligibility rosters have been reviewed and certified by the Compliance Director, the FAR will also sign off to confirm that all included athletes are eligible to participate.
- Meetings with the President and Director of Athletics: The FAR shall meet regularly with the President and the Director of Athletics to discuss all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics program. All information regarding the intercollegiate athletics program shall be made available to the FAR. The FAR may contact the NCAA on issues concerning the intercollegiate athletics program at Sul Ross State University.
- Reports to the Faculty Assembly: The FAR shall report regularly to the Faculty Assembly regarding the operations of the athletics program and the academic well-being of all student athletes. The FAR shall present all proposed changes in the University requirements for athletics eligibility to the Faculty Assembly for approval.
- Welfare of Student-Athletes: The FAR shall be actively involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory committee (SAAC) and all student-athletes to promote the general welfare of said student-athletes.
- Waivers and Appeals: The FAR shall be involved in the preparation of requests for waiver or appeals from NCAA regulations or processes.
- Professional Meetings: The FAR shall represent the University, when appropriate, at NCAA, American Southwest Conference, and other professional meetings.
- Rules Violations: The FAR shall be involved in all major institutional inquiries into alleged or suspected rules violations. The FAR will help prepare written reports of violations made to the Conference or the NCAA.
- Compliance: The FAR shall work with the Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Compliance to develop a comprehensive compliance and education program.
- Athletics Committee: The FAR shall be a voting member and chair of the Athletics Committee.
Primary Responsibility Area: Alpine Campus – Athletics
Membership |
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| Dr. Jessica Velasco, LASS, Faculty Athletic Representative – Chair | ex officio, voting | |
| vacant, SAAC President | ex officio, voting | |
| Pamela Pipes, University Registrar | ex officio, voting | |
| Clayton Garcia, Athletics Compliance Officer | ex officio, non-voting | |
| Amanda Workman, Athletics Director | ex officio, non-voting | |
| Dr. Carlos Gonzalez-Gonzalez, ALPS | 09/30/2022 | |
| Dr. Kendra DeHart, LASS | 09/30/2023 | |
| Dr. Ismail Gunes, EPS | 09/30/2024 | |
| Suzanne Harris, Dean of Students | ex officio, voting | |
| Yuan Zhou, Director of Residential Living | ex officio, voting | |
| Natalie Sandoval, Director of Financial Aid | ex officio, voting | |
| Erika Zhwar, Director of Student Support Services | ex officio, voting | |
Membership to the Athletics Committee consists of ten voting members made up of three non-coaching faculty members (one from each academic college appointed by the Faculty Assembly), the FAR, the SAAC President, and the Director of Records and Registration, the Director of Residential Living, the Dean of Students, the Financial Aid Director, and the Director of Student Support Services. The Athletics Director and Athletics Compliance Coordinator shall serve on the Committee as non-voting members.
Term: Three-year unless otherwise designated
Chair: Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR)