Quick Facts |
Why Gators? |
Mission Statement |
Community Statement
Quick Facts Location: Meadville, Pa.
Founded: 1815
Enrollment: 1,500
Nickname: Gators
Colors: Blue & Gold
President: Dr. Ron Cole '87
Director of Athletics and Recreation: Bill Ross
Assistant Director for Athletics for Game Management and Marketing: Sean King
Assistant Athletic Director/Compliance/SWA: Kate Costanzo
Assistant Director For Facilities and Recreation: Jared Luteran
Director of Athletic Equipment and Facilities: Angelo Panzetta
Director of Sports Medicine: Mike Carr
Head Peak Performance Coach: Dylan Chan
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Presidents' Athletic Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference,
North Coast Athletic Conference (Affiliate for Field Hockey)
Facilities: Robertson Athletic Complex (Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Field Hockey, Cross Country, Tennis); Frank B. Fuhrer Field (Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, Track & Field); David V. Wise Center (Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, Track & Field); Country Club of Meadville (Golf).
Fax Number: (814) 337-1217
Even though Allegheny shares its nickname with two other NCAA schools - the University of Florida and San Francisco State University (their Gators are Golden) - it seems the least likely to identify its student body with "gators". An alligator in Meadville, Pa.?
Through 1925, Allegheny teams have been referred to as Hilltoppers, Methodists, Timothians (in deference to College founder Timothy Alden), and the Blue and Gold. In April of 1925, a group of Allegheny students published the first issue of humor magazine titled,
The Allegheny Alligator. The editors explained the reasoning behind the title thus:
"The name, Alligator, was selected not because the alligator is noted for its sense of humor, nor because the haunts of the above-mentioned critter are located in this vicinity, but purely and simply because of the 99.44% alliterative value of its orthography."
A column in that first issue was titled, "Gator Gossip", and in the fall of 1926, an organization called the Go-Get-'Em Gator Club appeared on campus. The club made its presence known at football games by occupying a reserved section of the bleachers and serving as a nucleus for the cheering section. By the end of the decade, Allegheny's athletic teams were referred to as the Gators.
It wasn't until the 1970's that the name took on a face. It was then that a group of students started a publication evaluating faculty and courses. An illustration of a gator used in one of those publications was adopted by the College administration and eventually evolved into the nameless gator most Alleghenians are familiar with - posed in a tough but friendly stance and proudly wearing a varsity letter sweater.
In 1980, the Golden Gator Club was formed, an organization that remains an important link between the Athletics Department and alumni. The gator graphic has retained its strong identity with athletics and in the fall of 2004, it was redesigned to give it more a contemporary look. A new mascot costume unveiled and "Chompers" made its debut.
After 12 years, a new "Chompers" was unveiled in February 2015. The appearance of the "new look" Chompers was decided upon a vote of the Allegheny College community, and the new mascot made his debut during the Allegheny basketball doubleheader against Ohio Wesleyan University in the David V. Wise Center on Feb. 14, 2015.
Vision Statement
The vision for the Department of Athletics, and Recreation is to create an innovative, challenging and supportive learning environment, where individuals can pursue personal growth in areas of sports, wellness, outdoor programming, and recreational activities; where 80% of student-athletes graduate in four years and where participants act as role models in sportsmanship and conduct. Further, the vision is to become known as a leader among Division III programs offering broad-based, equitable, Title IX-compliant student-centered programming.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Athletics and Recreation is personal and collaborative excellence. We strive to offer high-quality educational, recreational and competitive intercollegiate athletic opportunities to our participants. We look to create an innovative, challenging and supportive learning environment where students can maximize opportunities for physical and social development, lifelong fitness and wellness as well as to realize opportunities for championship-caliber athletic competition. Our goal is to enhance and develop values that foster leadership, self-discipline, teamwork, personal and civic responsibility, integrity, dignity and sportsmanship. Ultimately, it is the mission of the department to fully support the mission of Allegheny College and "prepare young adults for successful, meaningful lives".
Values and Guiding Principles
Consistent with the broader mission of the College, the Department of Athletics operates its broad-based program of sports and physical activities with a commitment to reflecting the interests of the student body, the needs and wishes of our other internal and external constituents, and the ethical principles of the College. Specifically, in carrying out our mission, we will strive to be guided by the following values and principles, translating them into action as we go about our work and planning. Our success will be measured by end-of-the-year surveys, graduation rates, competitive success within the PAC and NCAC, and our student-athlete conduct both on and off campus.
The basic premise that athletic, recreational, and outdoor programming will enrich the student experience and contribute to the quality of life throughout the campus and surrounding community.
A focus on a high degree of involvement from all constituent groups - students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the College - in our athletics and recreation programs.
A focus on developing among all our program participants a spirit of camaraderie; of excellent communication skills, leadership, and teamwork; and of an ethic of compassion and good sportsmanship, including high ethical and moral standards for general conduct.
The valuing and safeguarding of the health, safety and well-being of each participant in our programs.
The providing of excellent customer service in any situation where that is part of our role responsibility. (e.g., at the Wise Center front desk operation).
An emphasis on the role of Varsity and Club Sports in helping to promote high student standards in areas of both academic and athletic achievement, as well as in students' personal growth, citizenship, and sporting behavior.
The practice of conducting regular assessments and evaluations, in order to guide the Department's response and adaptation to an ever-changing environment - including adapting programs to the evolving needs and interests of students, to the outreach goals of the College, and to the competitive demands of the PAC and NCAC.
A style of leadership in the Department that is visionary, decisive, motivating and participatory.
An ongoing effort to identify, attract and retain staff members who exhibit a strong commitment to the values and goals of the organization, and who consistently show the ability to practice open and honest communication, a dedicated approach to task completion, and high levels of energy, enthusiasm and creativity.
Statement of NCAA Division III Philosophy
Colleges and universities in Division III place the highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students' academic programs. They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete's athletics activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete's educational experience, and in which coaches play a significant role as educators.
They also seek to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among their student-athletes and athletics staff.
To achieve this end, Division III institutions:
(a) Place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators and place greater emphasis on the internal constituency (e.g., students, alumni, institutional personnel) than on the general public and its entertainment needs;
(b) Award no athletically related financial aid to any student;
(c) Encourage the development of sportsmanship and positive societal attitudes in all constituents, including student-athletes, coaches, administrative personnel and spectators;
(d) Encourage participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities for their students;
(e) Assure that the actions of coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes;
(f) Assure that athletics participants are not treated differently from other members of the student body;
(g) Assure that athletics programs support the institution's educational mission by financing, staffing and controlling the programs through the same general procedures as other departments of the institution. Further, the administration of an institution's athletics program (e.g., hiring, compensation, professional development, certification of coaches) should be integrated into the campus culture and educational mission;
(h) Assure that athletics recruitment complies with established institutional policies and procedures applicable to the admission process;
(i) Assure that academic performance of student-athletes is, at a minimum, consistent with that of the general student body;
(j) Assure that admission policies for student-athletes comply with policies and procedures applicable to the general student body;
(k ) Provide equitable athletics opportunities for males and females and give equal emphasis to men's and women's sports;
(l) Support ethnic and gender diversity for all constituents;
(m) Give primary emphasis to regional in-season competition and conference championships; and
(n) Support student-athletes in their efforts to reach high levels of athletics performance, which may include opportunities for participation in national championships, by providing all teams with adequate facilities, competent coaching and appropriate competitive opportunities.
The purpose of the NCAA is to assist its members in developing the basis for consistent, equitable competition while minimizing infringement on the freedom of individual institutions to determine their own special objectives and programs. The above statement articulates principles that represent a commitment to Division III membership and shall serve as a guide for the preparation of legislation by the division and for planning and implementation of programs by institutions and conferences.
The above is reprinted from the 2006-2007 edition of the NCAA Division III Manual, pp. 216
Responsibilities of the Athletic Department
The Athletic Department of Allegheny College must have the respect and confidence of the student-athlete and community. In order to maintain quality programs that are worthy of this support, the Department must accept a number of responsibilities.
A. Student-Athletes
The Department has a two-fold responsibility to its student-athletes. The first and foremost is to provide the best educational experience possible for all student-athletes. Second, the best possible athletic programs should be provided to allow each student-athlete to excel within his or her ability.
B. Community
The Athletic Department has the responsibility to provide the community with quality teams that are competitive within the philosophy of the College and the NCAA Division III guidelines.
C. NCAA, PAC, and NCAC
The Athletic Department at Allegheny returned to the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) prior to the 2022-23 academic year. A charter member of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), Allegheny retained affiliation with the NCAC for the sport of field hockey. The Athletic Department is governed by the rules established by Allegheny College in relation to the PAC, NCAC, and the NCAA.
Key Characteristics of the Allegheny College Athletics Program
In line with both Vision and Mission, our overarching goal is to be able to say, and demonstrate, that the Allegheny College Athletics Program consistently does the following:
Enhances the college experience for its participants.
Contributes to a positive college experience for the campus community as a whole.
Represents the institution in a quality manner.
Meets or exceeds recruiting objectives.
Is competitive in the PAC and NCAC.
Graduates its student-athletes at a rate of 80% or above (four-year rate).
Maintains a rate of judicial incidents that is consistent with the percentage of the campus population we occupy.
Makes good use of available resources and programming opportunities.
Produces graduates who go on to make noteworthy contributions to society.
Shows integrity and ethical considerations in the conduct of all employees and participants.
Sustains and initiates positive relationships with athletic alumni.
Maintains compliance with Title IX and with all rules and regulations of the NCAA, the PAC, and the NCAC.
Maintains and continually develops support from the private sector.
Creates an enduring and positive presence in the Meadville community.
Is interactively engaged in positive ways with other units on campus.
Allegheny students and employees are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and safe residential learning community that will actively confront and challenge racism, sexism, heterosexism, religious bigotry, and other forms of harassment and discrimination. We encourage individual growth by promoting a free exchange of ideas in a setting that values diversity, trust and equality. So that the right of all to participate in a shared learning experience is upheld, Allegheny affirms its commitment to the principles of freedom of speech and inquiry, while at the same time fostering responsibility and accountability in the exercise of these freedoms.
