2020-21 Faculty Athletics Representative

Faculty Athletics Representative

Greetings and welcome to the SMSU Faculty Athletics Representative's page!

My name is Dr. Sonya Vierstraete, and I serve as the FAR for the Mustangs once again in 2020-21. I teach a variety of courses in the School of Education with specialties/licensures including: Elementary Education, K-12 Reading Specialist, K-12 teacher of English as a Second Language, K-12 Administration, and 7-12 Coaching. I enjoy serving as the Mustang's FAR as it allows me an opportunity to interact with student-athletes and encourage their success in the classroom and on the court/field/track/course/pool.

Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns at sonya.vierstraete@smsu.edu

Go Mustangs...Let's Ride!

~Dr. Sonya Vierstraete

	Dr. Sonya Vierstraete Faculty Athletics Representative Email: sonya.vierstraete@smsu.edu Phone: (507) 537-7254

Compliance / Student-Athlete Academic Affairs

2020-21
Scholar-Athlete Academic Excellence Award Form

2020-21
Student-Athlete Leadership & Civic Engagement Award Form

The Role of the Faculty Athletics Representative

The Faculty Athletics Representative serves as a liaison between academics and athletics.

The role of the FAR is to:
    • Ensure a quality student-athlete experience and well-being
    • Ensure the academic integrity of the athletics program
    • Ensure institutional control of the athletics program

Words of Wisdom for Student-Athletes:
You have chosen DII as academics and athletics are important to you. You want to live life in the balance and strive to better yourself in both areas—in the classroom and on the field/court. Congratulations to you on your decision and best wishes as you compete and complete your degree.
During your time as a Mustang, a few things to remember:
    • You are a role-model for others. People of all ages are watching you and supporting you. Make them proud.
    • Aim to be proactive and positive in all areas of life…with peers and professors.
    • Be proactive and engaged at SMSU and surrounding community.
    • Represent your team and the institution well as a student and an athlete.

SMSU Student-Athlete

IAAC ~ Intercollegiate Athletic Advisory Committee

Charge: The IAAC serves in an advisory capacity to the President and the Athletic Director in matters relating to intercollegiate athletics. The committee advises the President and A.D. on such matters as policies, procedures and programs with affect to student-athletes, the athletic staff, the university, alumni and general public.

It consists of four faculty (including Faculty Athletics Representative-FAR), 2 MSUAASF, 1 MMA/MAPE/Confidential, 1 Council 6, 1 student, 1 SAAC, 1 Booster, 1 At-large from community, and 1 Alumni Association. Term of Appointment for Committee Membership: 1 year

Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee
Sonya Vierstraete: Faculty Athletics Representative, Chair
Kris Cleveland: SmSUFA
Moshood Agboola: SMSU student senator
Mara Wiggins: SmSUFA
Sheila Tabaka: SmSUFA
Marcia Beukelman: MMA/MAPE/CONF
Diana Holmes: Council 5 rep
Ken Mukomela: Mustang Booster Member, Community Rep
Jim Tate: MSUAASF
Matt Suby: MSUAASF
Michael VanDrehle: MSUAASF
Trey Sachs, Kaylee Hentges: SMSU Student Athletes

Ex officio:
Chris Hmielewski: Athletic Director
Allison Monson: Compliance Director, SAAC Advisor, Senior Woman Administrator

Scholarships and Awards

SMSU:
    • Scholar-Athlete Academic Excellence Recognition Award       (2020-21 Nomination Form)
DEADLINE is April 1, 2021
    The purpose of this award is to recognize student-athletes for academic excellence.
    Student-athletes may be nominated by SMSU teaching faculty, staff, and administration.
    Past Award Honorees: Claire Sames (2014-15), Rhiannon Sears (2015-16), Bilal Louzati (2016-17), Jon Dicke (2017-18), Jon Dicke (2018-19), Jesus Villa (2019-20)

    • Student-Athlete Leadership & Civic Engagement Recognition Award        (2020-21 Nomination Form)
DEADLINE is April 1, 2021
    The purpose of this award is to recognize student-athletes for leadership and civic engagement. Student-athletes may be nominated by SMSU teaching faculty, staff, and administration.
    Past Award Honorees: Ellen Degler (2014-15), Ashanti Payne (2015-16), John Herndon (2016-17), Mackenzie Clouse (2017-18), Kolin Bartlett (2018-19), Kali Tomlinson (2019-20)

SMSU Awards Procedures:
    1. Faculty, staff, and administration nominate student-athletes for the awards based on their academic excellence, leadership, and civic engagement. Student-athletes are eligible any year of their athletic eligibility. The nomination forms are found at the FAR webpage.
    2.The IAAC reviews nominations and selects a maximum of four award-winners annually for the SAAERA and SALCERA.
    3. Award winners will be presented their certificates of recognition by the nominating SMSU personnel (faculty, staff, administration) at the annual Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony in April. If unable to attend, an IAAC member will present the award.

NSIC:
   • Britton / Kelly Scholar-Athlete Award (all-time award winners list)
   • Myles Brand (all-time award winners list)

NCAA:
   • Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship
   • Jim McKay Scholarship
   • Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarships
   • Degree Completion Awards
   • Post-Graduate Scholarships

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SMSU Athletics

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