A new program at Augusta State University aims to build a bridge of understanding among faculty, coaches and student-athletes. The Faculty Huddle Up program allows faculty members to “adopt” one of Augusta State’s 10 teams. Although the adoption can be as involved as coaches and professors would like, faculty members are encouraged to attend practices, games and perhaps even host team dinners.

The initiative was spearheaded by Donna Hobbs, associate professor of chemistry and NCAA faculty athletic representative at Augusta State, as a way of supporting athletics and enhancing communication. Hobbs said the program also should provide teams with a resource in their faculty adoptee.

“We wanted a program that would let faculty, coaches and athletes interact with each other and help understand each other,” said Hobbs. “I had one faculty member who said ‘I’ve never done anything athletic in my life, so I wanted to know what athletes go through.’ ”

So far, all 10 teams have been paired with faculty reps — some of teams have two. Although some coaches were skeptical, most have become enthusiastic.

“The Faculty Huddle Up Program is a great way for coaches and faculty to get together and learn how we can enhance the experience of our student-athletes,” said men’s golf coach Josh Gregory. “I look forward to the opportunity to work closely with our faculty in the future. This program will not only help our current student-athletes, but it also will benefit our prospective recruits.”

Augusta State Athletics Director Clint Bryant is excited about what the program has to offer to both the faculty and student-athletes.

“The concept is innovative and gives all those involved an opportunity to grow and understand the roles each play on a university campus,” he said.

College journalists adopt Scottish accent

A sports-writing course offered by the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, journalism department will offer participants a chance to spend six weeks in Scotland learning, observing and writing about the country and Scottish sports.

The for-credit class, one of several offered through the school’s Wisconsin in Scotland program, runs from May 22 to July 11 and is open to any student at any college or university in the United States. Class size is limited to 15 students.

Taught by longtime Wisconsin-River Falls Sports Information Director Jim Thies, participants will travel within Scotland learning and observing various sports such as the Highland Games (traditional Scottish events such as the caber toss, stone and hammer throws, and tug of war), football (soccer), tennis and cricket. Participants also will visit St. Andrews Golf Course to see the Old Course, the home of golf, and the British Golf Museum. As part of their study, students will complete assigned readings and produce samples of feature, opinion, pre-event and post-event articles.

The $4,900 course fee (plus about $1,000 for airfare) covers two program day trips, a bus pass for the summer term, and a room and board plan.

For more information about the Wisconsin in Scotland program, visit http://www.uwrf.edu/wis/.

Female coach of men’s team breaks ground

Western State College of Colorado’s Jennifer Michel has been named the National Men’s Coach of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Michel, who is in her first year as Western State’s head men’s and women’s coach, is the first female to win the USTFCCC national men’s coach of the year honors in cross country at any level.

Michel led the Western State men’s squad to a second-place finish at the 2007 NCAA Division II Men’s Cross Country Championships and guided the women’s team to a sixth-place finish.

The Western State men also captured second place at this year’s Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships. After the Mountaineers claimed the North Central regional championship, Michel was chosen as the region’s coach of the year.

Before taking over the Mountaineer programs this summer, Michel served as the top assistant in the cross country program and was an assistant with the school’s track and field team. An eight-time all-American track and field and cross country student-athlete at Western State, she won national championships in the steeplechase, 3,000 and indoor mile.