Leaders for Leaders Best Practices

Meeting Your Student-Athlete

During your initial meeting, your student athlete may feel more comfortable in a smaller group setting. Consider teaming up with another mentor/student athlete or suggest that they bring a teammate or friend with them.
It will be helpful to be prepared to share some background information about yourself (e.g. schooling, work experience, family information, hobbies, outside interests, etc.) with your student athlete in order to ease into other meaningful conversations.
Being escorted around the UNC Asheville campus by your student athlete is a fun experience. As you walk, they can give you their perspective of everyday life experiences at UNC Asheville. Have your student athlete show you their classrooms, dining hall, library, locker rooms, training rooms, weight room, practice facilities, dorm room or off campus apartment (when appropriate), and their favorite places to “hang out”.
Ensure that you explore with your mentee what his or her goals are for the mentoring relationship. Having a clear sense of purpose is an integral component of a successful mentor/mentee relationship.

Communicating Is Key

College students respond best to text messaging. Remember that your student athlete’s schedule is jam packed. Be sure to suggest several options/dates when trying to arrange a time to get together.
Texting quick and encouraging messages to your student athlete regarding an upcoming game or post game is highly encouraged. Additionally, emails that contain information on your student athlete’s field of study, interviewing skills, leadership, dressing for success, etc. are also helpful to many of the student athletes. If students are unable to afford appropriate clothing for interviews, Goodwill has a “Dress for Success” section that will provide suitable outfits.
Send slow mail USPS cards for special occasions such as birthdays or Christmas…or for that matter, for non-special occasions, as well. Students rarely get regular mail so it is a treat for them to get a card or note. Sometimes, “old school” practices can have a profound impact on your student athlete.
Share calendars and schedules with your student athlete. Once you see their schedule, you will have a new appreciation for the time commitments of a student athlete. Additionally, your student athlete needs to understand that our lives are busy, too. In the event that your student athlete needs to cancel a scheduled meeting, be sure to hold him or her accountable for changing your meeting time. This is a perfect opportunity to coach mentees on social skills that will be beneficial to them long term.

Activities to Do Together

Go to the bookstore and buy something with UNC Asheville on it for yourself so your student athlete can spot you in the crowd when you are attending one of their athletic events. They enjoy picking out something with the UNC Asheville logo on it for us to wear……and it shows great school spirit!
Is there a community volunteer project or special event that you and your student athlete can attend or support? Special Olympics, children’s hospital visits, soup kitchens, Habitat for Humanity, and marches/events relevant to important issues of the day (e.g. women’s rights, an environmental rally, prevention of animal cruelty, political involvement, etc.) are all possibilities.
An occasional meal at your home is always welcomed. (This will be covered in more detail within the Rules and Regulations of the NCAA portion of the Leaders for Leaders program.) Again, the student athletes may feel more comfortable in your home if you can have them invite one or more of their friends to join you. Check for any food restrictions; however, the student athletes usually bring healthy appetites. Be aware of other important coaching opportunities such as how to send timely and considerate RSVP’s, no cell phone usage while at the dinner table, providing a post meal thank you message, etc. Also, if you schedule the event more than a week in advance, send a reminder, as their schedules change frequently.

Developing Your Relationship with Your Student Athlete

Explore other common interests that you may have with your student athlete. One mentor taught her student athlete how to play the piano. Another mentor worked on learning Italian as her student athlete’s extended family lives in Italy.
Discuss your student athlete’s career objectives, school courses and internships. If their focus is in a field that is unfamiliar to you, consider arranging time with another mentor who has experience in that field. For example, if your student athlete’s career path is to be a physician and you have no specific expertise in the healthcare field, you may want to contact another mentor or personal friend that works in that environment.
Get to know the NCAA rules and abide by them. The UNC Asheville student athletes have been instructed regarding these rules but may not be aware of all the nuances involved with these specific imperatives.
Meet some of your student athlete’s friends. You will gain immeasurable insight regarding your student athlete as you meet the other students they consider to be part of their inner circle. When appropriate, also try to meet their immediate family members. Become a part of your student athlete’s trusted network, recognizing it may take some time for this to occur.
Remember that the relationship need not end at graduation. Some mentors continue to have a close bond with their mentees even after the student graduates

Showing Your Support

Try to attend your student athlete’s games on a regular basis…. maybe even sit in the same seat (they will notice!). Attending their sporting events means a lot to your student athlete. This is especially true for sports that do not draw big crowds. Make sure to have special occasions such as senior night, conference playoff games and graduation on your calendar.
Remember to send a text message wishing them good luck before a game (meet, match, etc.) and another one to congratulate them (or commiserate with them) following the game. Let the student athlete know that you are proud of him or her no matter the outcome of the game or match. Be genuinely proud of your student athlete for his or her effort and commitment.
Check in with your student athlete to ensure that they are not alone during the holidays and spring break periods. This may be an ideal time to have them to your home for dinner.
There are many individuals in contact with the student athletes. Some of these individuals may have other agendas in addition to the support they are providing to them. Coaches are interested in wins, relatives may have specific family concerns, and friends may be dealing with social acceptance issues. Mentors are there only to help, show empathy (when appropriate) and support the student athlete without reservation. There is no other goal.
Remind your student athlete of some of the additional resources that are available to them on the UNC Asheville campus. Student athletes have free access to experts in the career center, writing center, math lab, and the student health and counseling center.

Expectations:

The goal of the Leaders for Leaders program is for both the mentor and mentee to have a mutually rewarding experience. There is no one size fits all. Each relationship will be unique. To be successful, the maximum amount of flexibility is required. However, there are certain core expectations that are necessary to optimize the program’s success.

First, all mentors and mentees must be selected for the program through a process that ensures that only those who are likely to benefit from the program participated. Students apply through the Athletic Department. Potential mentors apply through individuals who are already serving as mentors or to any of the individuals listed in the Conclusion.

Second, mentors are expected to go through a brief training program. Not only will you learn the rules that govern this program, but you will have an opportunity to meet and visit with other mentors. The program will be given at least twice each year, to facilitate as much participation as possible.

Third, there will be an event at the beginning of the academic year where mentors and mentees are formally introduced to each. This is a fun event and allows the mentors and mentees to meet in a structured group setting, which can ameliorate much of the awkwardness of the initial meeting.

Fourth, there will be social events throughout the year designed to provide opportunities for mentors to get together and share experiences and suggestions. These may be in conjunction with an athletic event, such as a basketball or baseball game.

Mentees are required to attend at least two career panel discussions – one each semester. One panel is with alumni, and the other will be designed to familiarize students with various professional career paths, such as medicine, law, business, the military, etc.

Conclusion:

Again, thank you for serving as a mentor. Your participation in this important program enriches the college experience for student athletes, and helps distinguish UNC Asheville’s athletic program.

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics