Mission Statement
The Athletics Faculty Mentor Program is an avenue to better facilitate the integration of athletics and academics. The team mentor will interact with the athlete to more fully understand the realities associated with balancing academic and athletic obligations. Learning and interacting with caring faculty and team mentor role models can make all the difference in a student-athlete's academic and athletic experience.
Application form (please fill out and return to athletic director Jon Waters at waters.j@lynchburg.edu).
GUIDELINES FOR MENTORS
1. To support the academic development of the student-athlete.
2. To promote understanding and communication between faculty, athlete, and students.
3. Provide coaches an additional resource to help advise student-athletes with academic matters.
4. To be a resource or counsel the student-athlete on issues of mental health and well-being.
5. Informally interact with student-athletes and coaches.
6. To facilitate a student-athlete and professor interactions.
7. Build strong friendships with student-athletes and coaches.
8. Meet with prospective student-athletes when they come on campus.
9. Advise and help freshmen on how to adjust to university life.
10. Attend practices and games.
11. Allowed to be on the sideline during competition.
12. Attend special team function, cook-outs, dinners, lunches, adventure activities, runs.
13. Travel with team to selected games.
14. Receive team apparel.
15. Be a big fan.
Each faculty mentor will have his or her own style and way of interacting with the student-athletes and coaches. The amount of time spent with the team will vary from mentor to mentor. It is not necessary for the mentor to be an expert in the sport field. They are there to create a partnership between faculty, student-athletes, and coaches.
ATHLETICS FACULTY AND TEAM MENTOR PROGRAM
2026-27
| SPORT |
HEAD COACH |
TEAM MENTOR & PROGRAM |
| Baseball |
Travis Beazley |
Dr. Steve Smith, Health and Physical Education |
| Men's Basketball |
Hilliary Scott |
Dr. Jimmy Roux, Communication & Nonprofit Leadership |
| Women's Basketball |
Christina Harvey |
Shane Stelter, Public Health and Cathy Roy |
| Equestrian |
Phillip Williamson |
TBD |
| Field Hockey |
Jenni Releford |
Dr. Wendy Williamson, Biology |
| Men's Lacrosse |
Steve Koudelka |
Dr. Tom Bowman, Athletic Training
Dr. Katie Bowman, Health and Physical Education |
| Women's Lacrosse |
McKenzie Rafferty |
TBD |
| Men's Soccer |
Chris Yeager |
Dr. Matthew Brynteson, Chemistry |
| Women's Soccer |
Dr. Todd Olsen |
Dr. W. Allen Moore, PT, PhD, Associate Professor |
| Softball |
Dawn Simmons |
Dr. Debbie Bradney, Athletic Training |
| Men's and Women's Swimming |
Brad Dunn |
Dr. Emily Evans, Athletic Training |
| Men's and Women's Track & Field/Cross Country |
Mario Wilson |
Dr. Doug Thomasey, Mathematics |
| Women's Volleyball |
Kevin Cardoza |
Dr. Rachel Willis, Instructor of Westover Honors/English |
| Women's Beach Volleyball |
Thomas Chandler |
Dr. Rachel Willis, Instructor of Westover Honors/English |
| Women's Golf |
Michael Veverka |
TBD |
| Men's Golf |
Allen Smith |
TBD |
| Tennis |
Chris Johnson |
Heather Summers, Counseling |
| Wrestling |
Vinny Barber |
Dr. Tyler France, DPT and Matt Martrone, Exercise Physiology |
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