Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Performance

Rank: Administrator IV
Search Number: [S24-015]
Job Posted: May 22, 2024

Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus wide commitment to social justice. Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of more than 9,000 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. It is one of four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. The University is located in New Haven, a city rich with arts and culture, and less than 90 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Boston.

Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Performance

Rank: Administrator IV
Search Number: [S24-015]
Job Posted: May 22, 2024

Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus wide commitment to social justice. Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of more than 9,000 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. It is one of four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. The University is located in New Haven, a city rich with arts and culture, and less than 90 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Boston.

The Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Performance administers and coordinates a comprehensive sports performance program that enhances the strength, conditioning and movement development for student athletes in all SCSU athletics programs. This position develops and executes a dynamic training program to prepare student-athletes to maximize their potential and pursue excellence in athletic achievement. The Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Performance works collaboratively with sports medicine and staff/coaches to promote the health, safety and performance of student athletes. The Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Performance also coordinates and ensures compliance with drug education policies and promotes nutritional education programs for student-athletes and creates programming focused on the well-being of all student-athletes.

Position Responsibilities

Administers all facets of strength and conditioning program for the Athletics Department and ensures compliance with department, University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations.

Designs, conducts, monitors and/or approves exercise-related programs for student-athletes focusing on all areas of sports performance, i.e., speed development, agility and quickness training, injury prevention and proper instruction of weight training. Advises head coaches in the optimization of technical and tactical planning to improve performance and mitigate injury.

Works collaboratively with the athletic training staff and team physician to develop strategies for injury prevention, injury management, return to performance for injured athletes, and other wellness-related initiatives. Engages campus partners who also promote and support the holistic well-being of SCSU students.

Designs, conducts, monitors and oversees voluntary summer workouts for student-athletes in conjunction with department, University and NCAA guidelines and bylaws.

Conducts orientation meetings for student-athletes on the value of proper training and nutrition, the dangers of banned substances, and other sports performance related matters.

Provides a weight room that offers a clean and safe environment in which to train championship caliber athletes and teams. Oversees the selection, installation and maintenance of performance equipment including cleaning and repair. Coordinates time schedules for the use of the weight room by each sports team and individual student-athletes. Coordinates, reviews, and ensures up-to-date compliance with drug education policies as required by the department, University and NCAA. This includes formulating policies on the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other controlled substances, and updating the student-athlete handbook with this information.

Develops guidelines, coordinates programs, and conducts team meetings focusing on the improvement of student athletes' nutrition education. Partners with Food Service to address nutrition and overall dietary needs of residential student athletes.

Develops and manages the annual budget for maintenance and improvement of the weight room, sports performance programming or other aspects of the work, ensuring budgetary compliance through efficient fiscal management.

Serves on various department, University, conference, NCAA and professional committees and task forces.

May supervise graduate assistants, interns, or student workers.

Performs other duties and responsibilities related to the above that do not alter the basic level of the responsibility of this position.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in physical education, exercise/movement science, sports management or a related field required. Additional requirements include: Current and maintained certification with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS); CPR/AED certification; four years of professional experience working within an intercollegiate sports environment; demonstrated commitment to creating a just and inclusive community and enthusiasm for working at an institution committed to social justice; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; ability to foster positive working relationships; and demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex policies and regulations.

Master’s degree preferred. Additional preferred qualifications include demonstrated knowledge of NCAA policies, regulations and rules; background in weight room management; knowledge of nutrition and its effects to optimize performance; and high-level organizational skills.

Credentials and/or experience substantially comparable to the above may also be considered.

Application

For full consideration, please submit a cover letter of application, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Sharon DeCrescenzo at DecrescenzS1@southernct.edu by June 21st, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

Southern Connecticut State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University seeks to enhance the diversity of its faculty and staff. People of color, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.