May 12-14, 2016
Deputy Athletics Director Bob Ceplikas ’78 reported on the successful and busy year for Dartmouth Athletics. Five head coaches were hired in the past month, filling all vacant head coaching positions. He touted highlights of a successful 2015-2016 season, and announced that while the committee was meeting the Robert L. Blackman Head Football Coach Buddy Teevens ’79 was testifying before Congress on player safety.
The committee received updates on facility renovation and construction projects including a new field house, a pavilion expansion, surface replacement at Memorial Field and Scully Field, as well as other interior work throughout the athletics complex.
Martha Gerhan ’83 discussed the desire to increase interaction between athletes and Alumni Council using a three-pillar approach to Athletic Committee initiatives: DP2, on the road, and philanthropy. Subcommittees for these three pillars reported on the progress of their initiatives.
Amber Bryant ’12 reported that the DP2 subcommittee was focused on using the iModules platform; the opportunities for job/internship shadows; speakers and events; and areas to engage with the club teams. Mark Heller ’70; Mark Hoffman, director of communities in Alumni Relations; and Sam Hopkins, senior associate director for external relations in Dartmouth Athletics, discussed how to better inform alumni about Dartmouth team away schedules and ways to increase engagement with alumni regionally. Chair Russell Wolff tabled a discussion on philanthropy until the next meeting.
Keeping with the theme of “Global Dartmouth” Bob Gaudet ’81, head coach of men’s ice hockey, discussed recruiting and coaching international students. Three international students spoke on a panel: James Verhagen ’16, men’s swimming, from Randburg, South Africa; Kate Griffiths ’18, women’s rowing, from London; and Benji Hannam ’18, men’s rugby club, from London.
Committee vice chair Martha Gerhan will become the committee chair and Mark Heller the vice chair in 2016-2017.