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Dartmouth Athletics Launches Dartmouth Peak Performance
Courtesy of Dartmouth Athletics Communications
HANOVER, N.H. -- Dartmouth College Director of
Athletics and Recreation Harry Sheehy today
announced a broad new initiative entitled Dartmouth Peak
Performance (DP2).
"DP2 will serve as an umbrella for the integration of existing
services and increased resources targeted at helping our
student-athletes achieve the highest levels of physical,
intellectual and personal growth during their Dartmouth careers,"
explained Sheehy. "Each area of performance -- academic, athletic
and personal -- will be bolstered by the collaborative efforts of
many professionals across campus.
"A generous donation has enabled us to announce this first step in
what is sure to be an exciting work in progress in the coming
months and years," Sheehy continued. "DP2 will be focused initially
on our varsity student-athletes, with the hope of eventually
considering broadening the program to include club sport and
recreational athletes."
Dartmouth President Jim Yong Kim stated, "We
think that by bringing together the focus on our student-athletes'
academic performance, athletic performance and also on personal
areas like leadership and personal wellness, we can not only get
them to their highest possible potential as athletes, but prepare
them for life in ways that are extremely important."
A physician, anthropologist and former collegiate athlete himself,
Dr. Kim added, "Our intention is that as we get better and better
at bringing athletes to their peak performance on the field, in the
classroom and in their personal lives, those lessons will begin to
spread to the entire campus."
Staff
The integration of these efforts will be coordinated by
Drew Galbraith in the new role of Senior Associate
Athletics Director for Peak Performance. Galbraith, who earned both
his B.A. and J.D. from the College of William & Mary, has been
an athletics administrator at the NCAA Division I level for 13
years, including the last seven at Dartmouth. He'll be assisted by
Anne Hudak and Donnie Brooks in the new roles of Assistant
Athletics Director for Peak Performance. Both Hudak and Brooks
bring a variety of collegiate coaching and administrative
experiences to their positions.
"Coaches, sports medicine staff, and strength and conditioning
coaches will all have important roles in the development of DP2,"
explained Galbraith. "Each head coach will provide key input into
the services utilized by each team, and all aspects of each
athletic team will be assessed."
Athletic
Performance
An increased importance will be placed on rehabilitation methods
and access as well as injury prevention, while the athletics
training staff, health services and DHMC physicians will
collaborate on best practices for delivery of health services to
student-athletes. Certified strength coaches will continue to work
with teams to maximize fitness and strength while minimizing
injury, with greater emphasis being placed on assessment, outcomes
and evaluation of programs. In addition, DP2 will focus on
investing new resources and better use of sports psychology and
nutrition.
Academic
Performance
The main priority of the academic portion of DP2 will be on making
good academic decisions, namely time management, course selection,
and the use of office hours, tutors and study groups. Faculty
advisors will continue to play a critical role in the academic
progress of student-athletes as other faculty members are engaged
for future growth and sustainability. Hudak and Brooks will
coordinate the provision of academic services with other campus
offices, while the department as a whole will work with the Dean of
the College area to ensure that the student-athletes are familiar
with the new advising process in the Dean's area as well as the
Academic Skills Center.
Personal
Performance
The other vital aspect of DP2 is the focus on personal
performance, particularly the development of leadership skills for
each student-athlete through the expansion of current programs such
as LEAD (Leadership Education and Development). Strategies for
physical and mental wellness will also be integral to the mission
of DP2, including new campus initiatives concerning binge drinking
and sexual conduct. In addition, the athletics department will
continue to encourage and facilitate a high level of involvement in
community service programs.
"Athletics is a vital part of the student experience here at
Dartmouth, and achieving excellence in athletics is a goal of every
student-athlete, coach and administrator," said Galbraith.
"Dartmouth Peak Performance will combine the great teaching,
learning, research and collaboration that happen at our institution
in ways that impact our student-athletes.
"We expect the program to evolve constantly as we consult with
experts both on and off campus about cutting-edge approaches,"
added Galbraith. "While we don't have all the answers yet, we have
a clear mission and resources, so we can't wait to get
started."
Sheehy, who came to Dartmouth 10 months ago after remarkably
successful stints as men's basketball coach and athletics director
at Williams College, summed up the program by stating, "This is one
of the most exciting things we have attempted in a long time. We
have people who are passionate here about helping our
student-athletes reach their potential, so as we approach this
fall, we are looking forward to getting up and running, and to
providing these services. We received an absolutely wonderful
anonymous gift that will allow us to budget this during our first
year, not only to utilize the resources on our own campus, but to
bring resources from off-campus to help our student-athletes reach
their potential."
"What we are doing is not unique," remarked Sheehy, "but it will
be uniquely Dartmouth."
As a member of the Ivy League, Dartmouth competes at the NCAA
Division I level in 34 varsity sports.
For more information, visit the DP2 website at DartmouthSports.com/dp2.
