My First Day

If it doesn't scare you a little, it's not worth doing. If your dream doesn't scare you, it's not big enough. Today marked the first day of my internship at California State University, Stanislaus. I was filled with mixed emotions. I came in two weeks ago to meet with my potential mentor, Kim Duyst, and after reading her bio on the school website, it scared me out of my mind! Her accomplishments were amazing and the work she has put into the university's program is beyond belief. I began to ease the more we spoke and as it turns out she's like every great athletic leader I've come across and the type that I want to be: an individual who pours their hearts into athletics and the young people of the organization to mold them into better people and future professionals. I wasn't sure what this first day was going to bring me. I was mixed with emotions: excitment, fear, shyness, humilility, and maybe a few others. I got to the Stan State at 9:30am and Kiim and I discussed several activities in the upcoming months that I would be able to help with. While in a meeting, I was given the 2015-2016 Student Athlete Handbook and Planner and the NCAA 2015-2016 Division II Manual to read through. I've never been this excited to be handed a manual and asked to read it! I know, it was surprising to me as well. Throughout the day I met quite a few people:

Regional NCAA Div. II Athletics General Information

Assistant Athletic Director

Athlete Representative

Athletic Academic Advisor

Compliance Coordinator

Coaches (almost from every sport)

I was able to sit in a meeting between the associate athletic director (Kim), the athlete rep (Donna) athletic acadmie advisor (Alissa) and compliance coordinator (Ben). This meeting is conducted once a month and used to discuss student athletes progress in their academics. I was very comfortable in this environment and being a high school coach, wished there were such services available to athletes at the high school level. The issues that were brought up were similar to what I've experienced as a coach but was limited in providing any help. After the meeting, I remained in the student center and spent my remaining time with Ben. Ben discussed and showed me in detail his responsibilities as a compliance coordinator. I was able to access and view NCAA eligibility center and see what kind of inforrmation is used to track athlete eligibility for athletics and academics and student status. In the midst of things I experienced some miscommunications and misunderstandings over several students submissions for transfers into some sports. It was then that I realized that the NCAA and the university have minor differences in eligibility regarding academics. Though a student may be eligible for the school, they may not be in compliance for NCAA eligibility. I was able to stick my nose in the NCAA manual for a little while and focused on elibility since that seemed to be the topic of my day. I finished the day with Kim discussing about my day and where I will be in the future. I did not so many questions at the end. It wasn't as overwhelming as I thought it was going to be but I think my excitement of my first day got the best of me. I'm just ready to dive in and learn as much as I can. I'll be returning Tuesday when I will get to sit in on an athletics meeting with every faculty member in the department. I cannot wait!