ATHLETICS REVIEW
Life U Athletics Announces More Than an Athlete Programming Series
The Life University Department of Athletics announced the introduction of the More Than an Athlete programming series in September , which will span the full 2020-21 academic school year .
This series engages the student-athlete population beyond just the sports they play and the classes they attend . Through this series , Life U student-athletes are afforded the opportunity to engage with speakers , activities and challenges aimed at developing the whole person so that each member of the department can leave campus as “ more than an athlete .” every student-athlete will have an opportunity to grow from , preparing them for success in their first career from the moment they leave our institution with their degree .”
Here are the highlights :
• A different main theme for each month , highlighted by a guest keynote speaker .
• Further enrichment of the theme through two ongoing sub-tracks : Leadership and Personal & Professional Development .
• Various engagement opportunities through workshops , social media challenges , mental health awareness activities and more .
“ I ’ m so excited to get our More Than an Athlete programming series off the ground ! We all know that playing collegiate sports can help develop skills that will be used long after our student-athletes leave campus ,” Director of Academic Support & Student-Athlete Services Alaina Smith Walker stated . “ The More Than an Athlete series will add an even more in-depth set of experiences that
• Opportunities to connect with and learn from members all over campus , in the greater community , and other student-athletes .
Dominic Demeritte Tabbed to
Lead Men ’ s Cross Country and Track & Field Program
Director of Athletics Jayme Pendergast announced in September that the leader of the newly restored Life University Men ’ s Cross Country and Men ’ s Track & Field program would be Dominic Demeritte .
“ The candidate pool for this position was incredibly talented ,” Pendergast mentioned . “ Dominic presented the greatest breadth of planning for the Men ’ s XC / Track program at Life University , and his work with our women ’ s program has proven his ability to execute the plan . He has a great track résumé and has all the right skills and contacts to bring this program back to national prominence .
Additionally , he was really able to articulate a plan that supported a mutually beneficial collaboration with Coach Stuart and the women ’ s program . With enhanced facilities and our coaching staffs , I ’ m excited to see men ’ s and women ’ s track programs excel nationally .”
Demeritte will oversee a program that has quite the storied past and look to turn the Running Eagles into a powerhouse program once more . As an athlete , he competed in two Olympic Games ( 2000 and 2004 ) and a combined seven outdoor and indoor World Championships . He was the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Champion in the 200 meters . From a coach perspective , he has led individuals to an Olympic silver medal in the 4x100 at the 2016 Olympics and a bronze medal in the 2017 World Championships .
“ I am truly honored and humbled to be named the Men ’ s Track & Field / Cross Country head coach at Life University ,” Demeritte Stated . “ I would like to thank Jayme Pendergast and the hiring committee for having the confidence in me to build and lead one of the most storied programs in NAIA history . I am super excited to hit the ground running and am looking forward to recruiting and mentoring the next champions of character , the Mid South Conference and the NAIA .”
Recruiting for the program has already begun , as the Running Eagles are slated to begin their first season of competition in the 2021 / 2022 year . Any interest can be emailed to
Dominic . Demeritte @ LIFE . edu .
Alumni . LIFE . edu | 2020
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