LINCOLN
UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC VISION
STATEMENT
By Rob Knox '96
Department
Philosophy
Athletics is
that part of the educational experience that strives to produce a tradition of
excellence-an education of the whole person in spirit, mind and body. This tradition
is particulary evident in the broad spectrum of accomoplishments of our student-athletes
on the court, on the field, on the track and in the classroom. Lincoln athletes
continue their ever-growing presence in sport after graduation, from high school
coaching to Olympic athletics. Participation in Lincoln athletics helps prepare
our student-athletes for these leadership positions in the field of sport and,
indeed, all other career positions.
Overview
Lincoln University's athletic teams compete at the
NCAA Division III intercollegiate level and sponsors 15 varsity sports - 7 for
men (baseball, basketball, cross-country, indoor track, outdoor track, soccer
and tennis) and 8 for women (basketball, cross-country, indoor track, outdoor
track, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball).
Currently,
Lincoln University competes as an independent and is not a member of any Division
III conference in all sports except for men's soccer, which belongs to the Eastern
States Soccer League. Lincoln is, however, a member of the ECAC, which sponsors
post-season championships in 26 sports.
In accordance with
the NCAA, Division III affiliation Lincoln University, athletics focus is upon
the participants (student-athletes) rather than upon the spectators (fellow students,
alumni and the general public).
As a NCAA Division III member,
Lincoln awards financial aid based on need only and does not award athletic scholarships.
Lincoln does offer, however, academic scholarships and urges all applicants to
visit the Financial Aid office early in the application process to take advantage
of all funding possibilities. Student-athletes receive the same privileges in
the areas of admission, academic advising, course selection, living, dining accommodations
and financial aid as other students on campus.
All sports
are given equal emphasis and enjoy suitable competition. To be eligible for a
particular sport, all student-athletes must earn a minimum grade point average
of 2.0. This grade is a cumulative one. First-semester freshmen and first-semester
transfer students are exempt from this policy.
Goals
The goal of the Lincoln University athletic department
is to provide a stimulating environment conducive to the athlete's total development
through a well-rounded program of experiences - to produce people with physical
prowess, moral integrity and intellectual competency.
Lincoln
University also supports the NCAA's goals of promoting student-athletes and college
sports through public awareness, protecting student-athletes through standards
of fairness and integrity, preparing student-athletes for lifetime leadership
and providing student-athletes and college sports with the necessary support to
be successful.
Through a dedicated commitment to educational
interests, competitive athletic programs and integrity in all areas, the student-athletes,
coaches and staff strive to bring credit and positive recognition to Lincoln University.
Through its athletic programs, Lincoln University seeks to
unite students, faculty, staff, alumni and the immediate community in a common
and shared experience. The Department seeks to contribute to the diversity of
the University by offering opportunities for enhanced racial, ethic, cultural
and geographic representation.
Mission
The
mission of the Department is to sponsor a broad-based athletic program that provides
educational and athletic opportunities for young men and young women to grow and
develop and to serve the interests of the University by complementing and enhancing
its diversity and quality of life. Coaches, as educators, are instrumental in
this process. In keeping with the University's mission to offer programs of regional
and national acclaim, the Department's athletic programs strive for competitive
excellence with other similar institutions.
The pride of the
Department is reflected in a coaching staff that pursues a commitment to excellence
and encourages student-athletes to reach high levels of performance. While primary
emphasis is given to in-season competition, exceptional teams and individuals
are given every opportunity to qualify and excel in postseason playoffs and tournaments.
Lincoln University is committed to the development and maintenance
of an outstanding athletics program. To that end, the Department plans to embrace
the following principles of operation:
1. The growth and development
of the student-athletes in all aspects of college life is of primary importance.
The Department will initiate and maintain support programs that will focus on
the total development of its student-athletes.
2. The Department
will support students who are committed to obtaining a degree from the institution
and it will provide the necessary resources and institute and maintain policies
and procedures that will encourage the fullest development of academic potential
for student-athletes.
3. The University will support a strong,
broad-based athletic program providing a wide-range of competitive opportunities
for men and women.
4. The policies and direction of the Department
will encourage good sportsmanship among student-athletes, coaching staff, administration
and the university community.
5. The Department will employ
the highest caliber staff, which is committed to the integrity and excellence
of the total program.
6. The Department will work with the
appropriate constituencies within the University to insure the proper balance
of athletic and academic interests.
Athletic
History
Lincoln University has a solid athletic tradition
as evidenced by the 15 NCAA Division III National Championships won by the men's
and women's track team since 1985.
With success only matched
by the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, the Lincoln men have won six outdoor
national championships (1985, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2000) and five indoor
national titles (1990, 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2000). The Lincoln women have won
three outdoor national crowns (1993, 1999 and 2000) and one indoor national title
(1993).
Lincoln's six national outdoor titles ranks the Lions
second behind UW-LaCrosse, who have won nine outdoor titles. In addition to the
championships, the Lincoln men have also finished as national runner-ups 11 times
(1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2001, and 2003).
In
addition to all of the team success, Lincoln University has produced over 300
All-American track athletes.
The success has not been limited
to track and field. The men's basketball team has won three ECAC Southern Region
championships (1993, 1994 and 1996) and have finished runner-up once (1997). One
of the greatest players in Division III men's basketball history, Darrel Lewis,
stared for Lincoln from 1996-1999. Lewis, a two-time first team Division III All-America,
finished his career with 2,294 points, becoming only the 11th male basketball
player in Division III history to finish his career with more than 2,000 points.
Tarron Richardson (1995-99) is the only player in school history to finish his
career with over 1,000 points and rebounds. He finished with 1,512 points and
1,208 rebounds. The 1998-99 men's basketball season included a school-record 14
game-winning streak during the season.
During the 1970s, the
men's soccer team consistently finished with winning records. The women's basketball
team has averaged 10 wins a season for the last eight years and has produced some
outstanding players. In the last 10 years, three Lincoln females have scored over
1,000 points (Naneka Brathwaite, Tehma Smith, and LaShanda Maxwell). Smith is
the second leading basketball scorer in Lincoln history with 1,663 points. The
baseball team established a school record for wins last spring and the volleyball
team is enjoying a nice resurgence.
The men's soccer team
has won consecutive league titles and has averaged 12 victories in each of the
last two seasons.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Each
student-athlete will be required to sign a Lincoln University contract prior to
the beginning of the first practice in that sport that states they support the
Department's "zero tolerance" policy on alcohol and drugs and that they are aware
of the consequences of their actions. Student-athletes, in accordance with the
NCAA, will also have to sign forms that they are aware of the NCAA drug-testing
program.
The Lincoln University athletic department has a
"zero tolerance" policy for athletes who consume, possess and/or purchase alcoholic
beverages and illegal, non-prescribed drugs. Abstention from alcohol and illegal,
non-prescribed drugs refers to both on-campus and off-campus venues. Furthermore,
this abstention from alcohol refers to all student-athletes regardless of age,
i.e., persons who are 21 years or older are also under contract to abstain from
alcohol consumption, possession and purchase.
Failure to comply
with the "zero tolerance" policy for illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia and controlled
substances prescribed by law and alcohol consumption, possession and/or purchase
will result in the immediate expulsion of the offender from the team for that
academic year. Written reports of said violations from the Offices of Public Safety,
Housing, Student Activities and or HPER/Athletics shall constitute substantiation.
There are no appeals.
Failure to comply with the "zero tolerance"
policy for illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia and controlled substances prescribed
by law and alcohol consumption, possession and/or purchase after the specific
season has ended will result in the student's forfeiting 50 percent of next year's
season (practice and games). The Director of Athletics in consultation with the
University's NCAA Faculty Representative will make the specific dates and games
explicit.
Furthermore, underage use or possession of alcoholic
beverages by persons under 21 is illegal and is strictly prohibited. Use, possession,
or sale of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia and controlled substances prescribed
by law is strictly prohibited on University property.
Both
on and off campus resources are readily available for all students who have an
alcohol and other drug problem, e.g. Student Health Services, Women's Health Center,
Counseling Center, and Chester County Health Department.
For
specific information on any athletic team at Lincoln visit the website: www.lincoln.edu
and click on the link to that sport.
