Friday, September 7, 2007

Mavericks Begin 2007-08 with Second Annual Student-Athlete Orientation

Dr. George Selleck presents as keynote speaker.

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. - Although the Mercy College men's soccer and women's volleyball teams have already begun competition, the 2007-08 campaign began for the entire Mavericks athletics department on Friday, September 7, with the second annual student-athlete orientation.

"Today is the first step in developing a greater sense of community amongst our student-athlete population, one that we feel will carry over to the classroom and to the field of competition," said Bill Sullivan, Assistant Athletics Director for Internal Operations and Head Baseball Coach.

The program was a five-hour orientation for all incoming freshmen, transfer, and returning student-athletes.  Each team was addressed by Dean for Student Affairs Iris Cordero, Associate Dean for Student Affairs Irene Delgado, and Assistant Campus Manager Oscar Walker, before attending sessions covering various topics during the day.  The morning session was followed by keynote speaker Dr. George Selleck's presentation to the coaching staff and the entire student-athlete population.

Dr. Selleck is a psychologist, educator, and author who has provided sports, education and life skills programs for many of America's leading universities and corporations. Selleck holds degrees from Stanford, Princeton, and the University of Southern California. A former basketball All-American and member of the Hall of Fame at Stanford, he later served as head basketball coach at Brentwood High School in Los Angeles, where he twice earned "Coach of the Year" honors. He has conducted workshops for the coaching staffs of over 90 NCAA member institutions. His roster of corporate and public sector clients includes Fortune 100 companies as well as small and medium size corporations.

"It was a very good start for us for a second straight year," said Ashlee Kelly, Assistant Athletics Director for Student Services and Head Women's Basketball Coach.  "This helps us all begin on the same page.  Newcomers have a better idea of what to expect and it reaffirms our core vales and expectations of returning student-athletes.  Hopefully it pushes each student-athlete to make an impact in the years to come."

About Mercy College Athletics
Mercy College is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II institution and a member of the East Coast Conference (ECC). The College sponsors 15 men's and women's sports. To learn more about Mercy's Department of Athletics and Recreation, call (914) 674-7220 or visit http://www.mercyathletics.com/.