Student-Athlete Orientation Kicks Off Academic Year
San Jose, Calif.---The San Jose State University Athletic Department kicked off the 2005-06 school year Wednesday with its inaugural Student Athlete Orientation and Barbeque. 435 student-athletes and coaches from San Jose State's 16 NCAA sports parti
Football coach Dick Tomey
with student-athletes. Members of the men's and women's
cross country teams enjoy the barbeque. Student-athletes display their
Spartan Squad t-shirts. San Jose, Calif.---The San Jose State University Athletic Department kicked off the 2005-06 school year Wednesday with its inaugural Student Athlete Orientation and Barbeque. 435 student-athletes and coaches from San Jose State's 16 NCAA sports participated in the event held in Morris Dailey Auditorium on the San Jose State campus.
"The Student Athlete Orientation is a new annual gathering of our department to welcome back our student athletes and promote the 'culture of champions' for 2005-06," director of athletics Tom Bowen said.
The purpose of the gathering was to introduce members of the department and university officials, inform the athletes regarding various issues affecting them, and to promote cohesion and positive attitudes among members of the entire athletic community. Among those in attendance included director of athletics Tom Bowen, university president Don W. Kassing, members of the president's cabinet, and other staff from the athletics department.
The meeting opened with a welcome from director Bowen, which was followed by a brief statement from Kassing, encouraging the athletes and reminding them of their importance to the university.
Remaining speakers included university police chief Andre Barnes, San Jose police captain Ken Ferguson, university ombudsperson Savander Parker, head of judicial affairs Debra Griffith, senior associate athletic director Kellie Elliott, and founders of San Jose State Spartan Squad Matthew Olivieri and Brad Villeggiante, Order of Sparta director Sheri Bragg, president of the Order of Sparta board of directors Bart Nielsen, Student Athlete Advisory Council representative Ezekiel Staples, program and project coordinator Ellen Styer, director of financial aid Coleetta McElroy, career center director Lee Rosenfield, sports information director Lawrence Fan, strength and conditioning coach Derrick Duncan, sports medicine director Jeb Burns, and director of student success services Cindy Kato.
Bowen closed the orientation with a private discussion with the student-athletes. Everyone then gathered on the Tower Hall Lawn for a barbeque catered by C.B. Hannegan's. It was a chance for student-athletes, coaches, staff, and university officials to socialize together at the same time. The athletes were also given a Spartan Squad t-shirt, a newly-founded student spirit organization whose purpose is promote school spirit and student body attendance at all home athletic events.
"This event was a success on all levels because of the tremendous support of the entire athletics department, the coaching staff, the student-athletes, and the many volunteers that participated," said Styer, organizer of the event. "It was a great way to kick off what will be a successful year on the field, in the classroom, and in the community for San Jose State athletics."
with student-athletes. Members of the men's and women's
cross country teams enjoy the barbeque. Student-athletes display their
Spartan Squad t-shirts. San Jose, Calif.---The San Jose State University Athletic Department kicked off the 2005-06 school year Wednesday with its inaugural Student Athlete Orientation and Barbeque. 435 student-athletes and coaches from San Jose State's 16 NCAA sports participated in the event held in Morris Dailey Auditorium on the San Jose State campus.
"The Student Athlete Orientation is a new annual gathering of our department to welcome back our student athletes and promote the 'culture of champions' for 2005-06," director of athletics Tom Bowen said.
The purpose of the gathering was to introduce members of the department and university officials, inform the athletes regarding various issues affecting them, and to promote cohesion and positive attitudes among members of the entire athletic community. Among those in attendance included director of athletics Tom Bowen, university president Don W. Kassing, members of the president's cabinet, and other staff from the athletics department.
The meeting opened with a welcome from director Bowen, which was followed by a brief statement from Kassing, encouraging the athletes and reminding them of their importance to the university.
Remaining speakers included university police chief Andre Barnes, San Jose police captain Ken Ferguson, university ombudsperson Savander Parker, head of judicial affairs Debra Griffith, senior associate athletic director Kellie Elliott, and founders of San Jose State Spartan Squad Matthew Olivieri and Brad Villeggiante, Order of Sparta director Sheri Bragg, president of the Order of Sparta board of directors Bart Nielsen, Student Athlete Advisory Council representative Ezekiel Staples, program and project coordinator Ellen Styer, director of financial aid Coleetta McElroy, career center director Lee Rosenfield, sports information director Lawrence Fan, strength and conditioning coach Derrick Duncan, sports medicine director Jeb Burns, and director of student success services Cindy Kato.
Bowen closed the orientation with a private discussion with the student-athletes. Everyone then gathered on the Tower Hall Lawn for a barbeque catered by C.B. Hannegan's. It was a chance for student-athletes, coaches, staff, and university officials to socialize together at the same time. The athletes were also given a Spartan Squad t-shirt, a newly-founded student spirit organization whose purpose is promote school spirit and student body attendance at all home athletic events.
"This event was a success on all levels because of the tremendous support of the entire athletics department, the coaching staff, the student-athletes, and the many volunteers that participated," said Styer, organizer of the event. "It was a great way to kick off what will be a successful year on the field, in the classroom, and in the community for San Jose State athletics."