Name: Henry C. Frazier III
Title: Head Football Coach
School:
Four Questions for Henry
Q: How have these programs enhanced your personal and professional growth?
A: These programs have expanded my understanding of the inter-working of college athletics. I have a deeper understanding of what is expected of me as a college Head football coach. The networking that took place has changed my inner-circle in a positive way. I am a better football coach as a result of these programs!
Q: What are your career goals?
A: It is my desire to be a Division IA head football coach.
Q: What is the one thing you have learned from these programs?
A: There are two very important lessons I took from these programs. First, someone is always watching you. People examine your every move. They watch your mannerisms and your reactions to questions and circumstances that surround your program. Second, is the myth of racism in Division IA football. I feel people hire people they know. You are entrusted with multi-million dollar programs and if you make a mistake with a hire, it may cost you your job. So in most circumstances presidents and athletics directors hire people they trust and know; that's what head coaches do as well.
Q: What recommendations would you give to others who are interested in applying for the Men's Coaching Academies?
A: It is a must for progressive college football coaches. These programs will change your view of yourself and the conglomerate world of college athletics. You will not be the same after completing these programs. I promise you will be a better coach!
Name: John Neves
Title: Director of Sports Information
School:
Three Questions for John
Q: What is the greatest benefit of the program?
A: In addition to being able to hold full-time employment, I feel as if I am on the fast track to learning how to become a better leader and administrator. The program enables me to assume the regular responsibilities of sports information director, while also learning various administrative functions, such as scheduling, game-day management and travel arrangements, to name a few. Basically, I do a lot more than a regular sports information director here at Baruch, and that will help me down the road in college athletics.
Q: What are your career goals?
A: In the future, I want to be an athletics director at a top-notch institution. I like college sports, and with the choices of various levels of Division I, II, III, I want to go to a place where I can help build the program from the ground up. If I had a choice, I would want to go to a program where the school is the only show in town.
Q: How have your experiences enhanced your personal and professional growth?
A: One of the areas I was looking to learn more about was leadership, or being able to solve problems on my own. Here at Baruch, we are not a big staff, so on many occasions, I have had to make big decisions or help play a part in them. I feel that has helped my leadership ability in many ways, not to mention the fact that I am comfortable in making any hard decisions. On a personal level, I would say I am much more of a patient person.
Name: Etienne Thomas
Title: Director of Compliance
School:
Four Questions for Etienne
Q: How has this program enhanced your personal and professional growth?
A: The Fellows Program has given me a unique opportunity to engage with other professionals in our industry whom are striving for similar goals as mine. I have been able to take time away from my daily activities and roles on my campus and learn more about myself as a leader, administrator, mentor, educator and future athletics director. The program is designed to facilitate personal growth in the areas that research has shown are important qualities for an athletics director to possess, prior to assuming the role, and I feel it has done that for me. Prior to entering the program, I had a certain leadership style that often allowed me to stand out in a group and a way of handling situations that garnered me success in the areas of mediation with coaches and administrators. However, this program has taught me to listen to those around me more attentively and to assist them in whatever way that I can to enhance their strengths and prepare them for the next levels in their respective career, while furthering the missions and goals of our department. I came into the program as a leader, but feel that I am leaving the program ready to lead others.
Q: What are your career goals?
A: I would like to achieve the position of director of intercollegiate athletics at a member institution within the next five years, by 2011. In the interim, I see the senior associate of internal as my path to achieving this goal.
Q: What is the one thing you have learned from this program?
A: Building a sound budget, with a contingency, that covers all needs and some wants is not impossible.
Q: What recommendations would you give to others who are interested in applying for the NCAA Fellows Leadership Development Program?
A: Have a serious conversation with the staff members in the office for diversity and inclusion to understand the time commitment, project requirements and the benefits of the program. Then sit with your immediate supervisor, and your president and clearly explain your reasons for wanting to be part of the program, the benefits to the campus, and how you will juggle your current position/staff and this program. Finally, make a decision to be committed to the program and to get everything out of it that is being offered to you. It is a great opportunity, and a lot of great people have come thru it and gone on to do things according to their plan.
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