Patterson a busy traveler as NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative

Raymond Patterson

Ray Patterson, Saint Michael’s NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), attended the 5^th Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute from Sept. 30- Oct. 2 at NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis.

Patterson, a Saint Michael’s religious studies professor, was one of 12 FARs selected for the Institute from NCAA Division II leagues from around the country. Each participant had to complete a FAR Fellows Institute sponsored by the NCAA, which Patterson attended in 2019, and must be nominated by their league (the Northeast-10 in Patterson’s case).

The Institute was part professional development, with sessions led by an executive training coach, and part informational, with reports from various areas of the NCAA. Usually the main focus of each Institute is to produce a document for use in the FAR community, including documents on supporting student-athlete mental health and enhancing campus communication/cooperation on student-athlete issues.

Patterson said he believes former Saint Michael’s FAR, Dave Landers, participated in the first Institute which produced a document on the Model FAR. “This year’s Institute did not produce a document, but rather attempted to identify challenges and opportunities for FARs in light of the new NCAA Constitution. Discussions were lead by TiER1 Performance Institute, who then will be constructing a new module for FARs on Division II University — an online education program for NCAA membership. Of course, the best part of these Institutes is the opportunity to network with fellow FAR from institutions around the country,” Patterson said.

Institute participants are encouraged to continue to contribute to the FAR professional society (FARA), as well as participate in NCAA and league committee work. For example, last weekend Patterson attended the annual FARA conference in Indianapolis, with presentations and workshops on student-athlete mental health, the state of Title IX at 50, student eligibility in the post-COVID era, NCAA Transgender participation policy, the role of the FAR in the new NCAA Constitution, and latest developments with NIL (the new policy that allows student-athletes to receive compensation for their “Name, Image, and Likeness”).”

For more background, here’s the official NCAA release on the Leadership Institute:  5th DII FAR Advanced Leadership Institute offers development, space to help peers – NCAA.org.