5690 Director, Track and Field and Cross Country

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Director, Track and Field and Cross Country

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5690

GRADE Unclassified

CLASSIFICATION Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director of Athletics or Senior Associate Director of Athletics

MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR President

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Director of Track and Field and Cross Country is responsible for the management and administration of all activities related to track and field and cross country and exercises direct supervision of recruiting, training, and coaching student-athletes participating in both sports.  The Director of Track and Field and Cross Country

is fully responsible for compliance with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules and regulations as well as conference rules and University policies governing intercollegiate athletics.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master's degree is preferred.

Experience:   At least three years of experience in coaching Division I track and field or cross country is required. Demonstrated knowledge of MVC and NCAA rules and regulations governing recruitment, eligibility and related functions is required.  Experience in administrative functions, budgeting, fund-raising, promotional activities and public relations is required.

Skills:  Excellent interpersonal skills are required.  Management and organizational skills are required.  A demonstrated commitment to the academic success of student-athletes is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coaches the track and field program and cross country, ensuring that both programs achieve the parallel goals of development of a quality, competitive athletics program and support of the individual educational goals of student-athletes by engendering a coaching philosophy which promotes those goals and establishes an environment conducive to both. 

2. Develops an equivalent recruitment strategy and directs all recruiting activities, including selection of team members for both track and field and cross country programs.

3. Serves as the director for all track and field and cross country events, both conference and national.

4. Schedules and supervises all practice sessions and intercollegiate contests for both programs. 

5. Provides opportunities for academic assistance to student-athletes if required, and monitors the academic progress of each participating student-athlete in the track and field and cross country programs.

6. Assumes responsibility for the retention and matriculation process for student-athletes in their athletic and academic endeavors.

7. Protects the integrity of the track and field and cross country programs and the reputation of the intercollegiate athletics program of the University by ensuring that recruiting activities, student-athlete eligibility determination, scholarships and financial aid programs, scheduled practice sessions, and related activities governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) are in compliance with NCAA rules and regulations as well as applicable conference rules and University policies.

8. Reduces the likelihood of athletic-related injuries or the aggravation of such injuries during practice sessions and scheduled contests by being knowledgeable of the injuries sustained in track and field and cross country and proper prevention methods, directing appropriate pre-training sessions and pre-contest preparations and warm ups, and arranging for qualified sports medicine personnel or athletic trainers to be available during all training sessions and contests.

9. Develops a competent and effective coaching staff by recruiting and hiring qualified applicants, providing guidance on departmental or University policies and coaching philosophy, encouraging professional development through participation in coaching decisions and recruiting activities, making coaching assignments based upon qualifications, supervising coaching activities, and evaluating performances.

10. Facilitates charitable giving by donors thus enhancing the ability of the University to meet established athletic fund-raising goals by actively participating in fund-raising events and promotional activities for intercollegiate athletics, as well as serving as chairperson or co-chairperson of fund-raising committees or as a spokesperson for specific fund-raising campaigns, and/or sponsored sports-related special events for both the track and field and cross country programs.

11. Promotes a positive image of the intercollegiate athletics program and the University by establishing and enforcing standards of personal behavior, conduct and appearance for the track and field and cross country coaching staff, athletes and support personnel on and off the University campus, participating in community and professional organizations, representing the University at professional meetings and on community committees, and establishing and maintaining credible relations with various news media.

12. Manages funds by preparing the budget and exercising authority for all expenditures related to the track and field and cross country programs.

13. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

14. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Director of Athletics. 

15. Contributes to the overall success of the University's intercollegiate athletics program by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Director of Track and Field and Cross Country is supervised by the Director of Athletics or the Senior Associate Director of Athletics, however exercises considerable independent judgment in the management and coaching of his/her sport.  The Director of Track and Field and Cross Country exercises direct supervision of the coaching staff, graduate assistants, and students involved in the particular sport.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

REVISED MAY 2019