Gordon Collins, who recently retired as the faculty athletics representative at the College of Wooster, spent his entire career -- 37 years in the classroom and 28 years as a faculty athletics representative -- showing others how to balance academics and athletics.

"Gordie was an excellent role model," said Al Van Wie, former director of athletics at Wooster and Division III vice-president in 1988. "He helped to bridge the gap between academics and athletics. In many ways, he is part of a dying breed. Many young faculty today just don't get involved the way Gordie did."

An athlete himself, Collins played basketball and was a state champion high-school pole vaulter back when steel poles were used (instead of fiberglass). He graduated from Tarkio College -- where his father was president -- and he also was a three-time conference champion in the pole vault.

Collins became a psychology professor, and he came to Wooster in 1963. In 1972, he was appointed as the institution's faculty athletics representative, first to the Ohio Athletic Conference and later to the North Coast Athletic Conference.

"Gordie was an athlete himself, so he could really relate to what an athlete experiences," Van Wie said. "He had the respect of the faculty, and he liked the job. Many who take on the role of faculty athletics representative do so because they are told to, but Gordie loved it. He especially enjoyed debating the issues and philosophies of intercollegiate athletics. He spoke very eloquently, particularly about issues that came up on the floor of the NCAA Convention."

Collins also was a volunteer assistant for Wooster's track team for more than 30 years, and he helped two Wooster pole vaulters set school records.

In addition to being a track coach, FAR and professor, Collins served a term as president of the Ohio Athletic Conference, attended every NCAA Convention for 20 years and also played a major role in the establishment of the North Coast Athletic Conference, which began competition in 1984.

In all of those roles, Collins has been a respected leader, admired mentor and a popular professor.

"I have always held firm to the belief that the student should come first in all situations," Collins said. "That's why we are here -- to teach, to guide and to nurture the student."

Among Collins' many contributions to intercollegiate athletics were his passionate support for the postgraduate scholarship program and for women's athletics.

"To me, women in intercollegiate athletics never seemed unusual," he said. "I have always believed and supported the idea that women should be able to compete just as the men do."

During his tenure as an FAR, Collins took an active role with the NCAA, serving on the Men's Committee on Committees for three years, including one year as chair; filling two three-year terms with the Postgraduate Scholarship Committee, including one year as chair; and serving on the Division III Membership Committee.

"I'm proud to have been a faculty athletics representative, and I am proud of what the group has done," Collins said. "I believe that a person in this position should have a major voice in how varsity athletics are handled on campus.

"(The FAR) knows what it takes for a student-athlete to excel, and (the FAR) should have a voice in such issues as eligibility, travel, number of contests, size of the program, and so on. In general, faculty athletics representatives have become more visible and more active, with members on every NCAA committee."