Mission Statement

The mission of the department of intercollegiate athletics is to support the mission of the university and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount. The department will provide growth opportunities to achieve in a nationally competitive intercollegiate program that attracts, nurtures and graduates student-athletes who under the guidance of a quality staff, represent the University of New Haven with character and integrity while achieving academic excellence, serving the community and pursuing excellence in their respective sports.

Philosophy

Higher education has lasting importance on an individual's future success. For this reason, the emphasis for the student-athlete experience at the University of New Haven is a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting. As an NCAA Division II program, our approach provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high-level athletic competition and development of positive societal attitudes in service to community. The balance and integration of these different areas of learning opportunity provide our student-athletes a path to graduation while cultivating a variety of skills and knowledge for life ahead.

The University of New Haven seeks to provide the world with leaders who can make a positive difference in a global society. Student-athletes are afforded unique opportunities for leadership because of the visibility provided through athletics competition. UNH’s intercollegiate program provides opportunities for its student-athletes to develop moral virtues, such as courage, self-confidence, and integrity and to learn communication and teamwork skills associated with outstanding leadership. Thus the Department of Athletics helps the University satisfy its primary aspiration, which is to prepare students to lead purposeful and fulfilling lives in a global society through experiential, collaborative, and discovery-based learning.

The Department of Athletics is committed to delivering intercollegiate athletics programs that are consistent with the University’s mission and generates the trust and support of its various constituencies. The goal of the department is to field sports teams that compete successfully against other NCAA Division II teams while upholding the academic standards of the University of New Haven. The department is also committed to conducting its programs in strict adherence to the policies, rules and regulations set by the University’s administration, Board of Governors, the NCAA and the Northeast-10 Conference.

Through its programs, the department gives its student-athletes of different genders, races, religions, national origins and sexual orientation opportunities to participate in intercollegiate competition. The intercollegiate program will function free of discrimination with a University commitment to the adherence to Title IX and the Office of Civil Rights guidelines. A major goal of the Department of Athletics is to help student-athletes realize the full potential of their athletic abilities while also increasing their intellectual capabilities and providing them a meaningful opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree. The department will not compromise its commitment to educate and graduate its student-athletes.

Department of Athletics personnel are expected to represent the University in a manner consistent with UNH’s principles and values. All personnel are expected to perform their responsibilities with the highest standards of integrity, ethical behavior and sportsmanship at all times. Coaches and staff are expected to treat student-athletes fairly and with respect and to facilitate leadership that helps them mature physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.