I do it, you watch; then
We do it together; then
You do it, I watch; then
You do it alone.

Goals

• To provide student-athletes with leadership development opportunities.
• To assist freshmen student-athletes with the acclimation process at the University of Tennessee.
• To build and strengthen relationships within each team.
• To encourage and promote diversity within the peer mentoring program.

Parties Involved

• Mentors - Chosen by coaches, academic counselors and possibly team captains.
• Mentees - All incoming freshmen.
• Coaches - Support the program and motivate the student-athletes.
• SAAC - Organize the mentor training and curriculum.
• Academic Counselors - Participate in mentor training and encourage and promote the program.

• April - Coaches, academic counselors and team captains organize names of mentors.
• July - Receive names of incoming freshmen student-athletes from coaches.
• August - Day before classes - Mentor training
• Once a month - Mentor meetings with additional training

• Mentor Training -> Student Assistant Fund
• Mentor Meetings -> Student Assistant Fund
• Incentives -> Incentives and Awards Subcommittee
• Printing materials

• The subcommittee decided on sport specific mentors because…
• -Relationships will be forged between teammates that very well may never have developed.
• -Many issues facing student-athletes are going to be sport specific (ie..dealing with coaches, travel schedule, practices, etc..)
• -You will have similar perspectives on what it took to become a Vol/Lady Vol in the specific sport (ie…high school level competition, club competition, preparation, recruiting, etc....)
• The mentoring training could use resources on campus, such as the staffs of the SEE Center, Safe Haven, Office of Equity and Diversity, Dr. Joy DeSensi, the Sports Psychology Department, Center for Leadership Development and current Thornton Center staff members. Training and education could periodically be supplemented with off campus speakers and programs
• This program could easily be adapted into the point system and incentives could be given to each mentor.

• Assume leadership role
• Make a difference in the lives of friends, teammates and peers
• Receive professional training
• Build credentials and enhance career marketability

• Create a safe, healthy atmosphere for teammates
• Provide leadership outside of team captaincy
• Promote alcohol-drug abuse prevention and education
• Teach coping strategies and problem solving
• Improve interpersonal relationships
• Help Teammates with problems before they get out of control
• Provide extra support for first year teammates
• Facilitate communication between coaches and student-athletes