Feature Article

 

The Athletics Leadership Fund Scores Leaders!

New initiative dedicated to our student athletes

“We’re not only trying to develop winning teams, but winning people, with strong leadership skills.” For Keith Hansen, Athletics Director at RDC, the new Athletics Leadership Fund will further enhance the athletic experience at RDC and foster those “wins” of the future. 

Until recently, Athletic programs waited to see whether or not changes in the College budget would affect their budget for the year. Any decreases would negatively impact opportunities and resources. When cuts happen, Hansen explains, his programs are often some of the first under review.

All of the uncertainty is about to end with the Athletics Leadership Initiative. “As an endowed fund, we’ll be less susceptible to downward economic trends or reliance on government,” he says. “This will help us become self-supporting.” 

As part of RDC’s long-term fund development strategy, this initiative has a goal of creating sustainability for Athletic programs. The Fund won’t replace budget dollars already invested by RDC (more than $675,000 annually). Instead, the Fund will boost Athletics and team budgets to guarantee the programs endure.

Enabling more "focus time"

Jeremy Jablonski is Chair of the Athletics Leadership Committee. “With the challenges of attaining a post-secondary education, coupled with the focus and energy required for high-level sport, students have enough on their plates.”

Previously, several fundraisers and projects were needed to make sure that sufficient finances were available for the various Athletics programs. Students had a hand in all of these – not accomplished without sacrificing training time, part-time jobs or pursuit of their studies. They will continue to contribute to the community, but in a manner that will align with the time they’re already devoting to training and studies. Now, the initiative will help students concentrate on sport and education – in an environment that helps develop their leadership skills, becoming tomorrow’s leaders – by building sustainability for all Athletic programs at RDC.

The Fund will also help coaches and instructors focus on what matters most – giving students what they need to perform their best both in the classroom and in their sports.

Our leaders of tomorrow

Jablonski is a firm believer that everything we do at RDC is geared to building future leaders. “Athletes who perform at high levels and attain an advanced education have the tools to become the leaders of tomorrow.  Enhancing their educational and sport opportunities ensures that we’ll continue to develop our communities with strong, capable, educated people. This is good news for all of us.”

Hansen agrees. “We realize that our student athletes leave RDC and become better employees, better team players – better contributors to society. The more skilled they are when they graduate, the better.”  He’s talked to a number of employers in the community. A common element they value on resumes is participation in athletics, which demonstrates time management and leadership skills, an ability to work within a team, and self-directed, motivated personalities. “All are skills that employers want. The more professional our Athletics programs are, the better skilled our grads will be when they participate in the ‘real life’ work world.” These skills will unarguably transfer over into individuals’ personal lives – a ripple effect, as long as the nurture of these unique skills is enabled without barriers. 

Achieving this ambitious goal for the new initiative will provide roughly $300,000 annually, augmenting the current Athletics budget. That translates into a minimum $1 million budget each year.

A generous Quinn “kick off”! Quinn Pumps Ltd., led by Doug Quinn, a former member of the RDC Board of Governors, kicked off the Athletics Leadership Fund by directing a substantial gift of $250,000. A sincere thank you to Quinn and to all of our donors who support the active, healthy lifestyles of our students and our region.

An increase in support is an increase in opportunity:

• Additional support staff (therapists, trainers)
• Professional development for coaches
• Restored funding to discontinued programs (the men’s hockey team, for one)
• Resources to establish new Athletic programs

RDC has a strong Athletics Leadership Committee in place to connect with community partners and individuals who are interested in this initiative and the positive impact it will make. The College is also pleased to have the support of Mike Babcock (former RDC Kings Hockey coach; past Men’s Hockey Olympic Champion; and now Detroit Red Wings head coach) and Melody Davidson (RDC Distinguished Alumna; past Women’s Hockey Olympic Champion; now Head Scout, Women's National Team Programs) – our honorary co-chairs for the Athletics Leadership Fund.

Community pride and involvement, health and wellness benefits, volunteerism, friendship and mentorship – Jablonski says he could go on and on about the ways sport enhances lives. “Athletics create leadership skills in young people and teach invaluable life lessons. Some of my greatest lessons in life came from sport and from excellent coaches along the way. At the end of the day, it’s all about community.”

For more information on RDC’s Athletics Leadership Fund, phone 403.342.3320 or email bctl@rdc.ab.ca.