Meet Kevin Wall – the new link between academics and athletics at Syracuse University.

Wall became director of Student-Athlete Support Services March 17. He is now responsible for making sure student-athletes follow the rules inside the classroom and on the playing field.

Wall’s new position comes as a part of a larger restructuring of the department.

He reports to both Sandra Hurd, associate provost for academic affairs, about student academics and to Athletics Director Daryl Gross for all sport-related matters.

SU decided Wall would take over the task of connecting the academics and athletics. He is in charge of making sure they both understand what student-athletes need.

The new dual-reporting role is designed to ensure student-athletes succeed both athletically and academically, Wall said.

‘It’s really to provide the support and background for students to be prepared for the next step when they leave Syracuse, whether that’s graduate or professional school, or entering the workforce,’ Wall said. ‘We want them to look back and feel that what we’ve done at SU has prepared them to be successful in life.’

Wall will also explain to coaches and athlete the expectations of each college. In turn, he is expected to make sure professors understand the student-athlete’s obligations, Hurd said.

On a daily basis, Wall oversees the staff in his office and meets with students and coaches to make sure he deals with all of their concerns.

One of the director’s goals is to open communication between the athletic and academic departments so that faculty and on-campus staff can understand the athletes’ travel and practice schedules.

The athletic and academic systems didn’t share information about SU’s student-athletes well in the past, Hurd said.

‘There are a lot of NCAA compliance requirements that the schools and colleges haven’t had a complete understanding of,’ Hurd said. ‘And at the same time, the athletic department hasn’t had a complete understanding of the academic programs and rules.’

Wall said he believes a large misconception is that the purpose of his office is just to make sure student-athletes remain eligible.

‘It all comes down to improving the total experience,’ Wall said. ‘Whether it’s allowing (student-athletes) opportunities to explore different programs, have access to courses, majors, and minors, or improving connections with faculty and staff – all of those things together will enhance the experience here.’

Wall, an SU graduate and a former member of the Division I track and field team, said he has always wanted to for work in sports. In 2006, he began overseeing career development and community outreach for several athletic teams, including the field hockey team, the ice hockey team and the women’s soccer team.

‘I’ve been able to combine my interests and find a job that fits, and to be able to stay here and do what is really exciting,’ Wall said.

Because Wall has been involved with athletics at SU for more than 10 years, it gives him an understanding of how the system works and how he can help student-athletes succeed, Hurd said.

‘I think he has an understanding of the landscape and what it’s like to be a student-athlete at SU that’s very valuable,’ he said. ‘He’s clearly committed to the academic and personal and professional success of our student-athletes.’

kronayne@syr.edu

Published on March 31, 2009 at 12:00 pm