Give Me a "P"!: Good Sports, College Presidents Inspire School Spirit

      Just a year ago, Wheelock College athletic director Diana Cutaia and Southern Vermont College president Karen Gross met at an event in New York City and hatched an idea:  What if the college presidents from their newly formed conference (New England Collegiate Conference) visited each other on their playing fields to show support?  
     On a wintry January Saturday, Wheelock College President Jackie Jenkins-Scott and her husband, Jim, made the three hour trek to Bennington Vermont to join Southern Vermont College President Karen Gross and her husband, Stephen Cooper, for a Division III intercollegiate, men's and women's basketball double header featuring their schools. The visiting President and her spouse were announced over the loud speaker before the start of the games, and both presidents watched from the stands and cheered on each other's team.
    A seemingly inconsequential event, this sent an important message about student athletics and good sportspersonship and triggered multiple, unanticipated opportunities. Before the game, the Presidents had a chance to meet privately; students and coaches from both teams got to meet a President from an opponent college; Wheelock President Jenkins-Scott had an opportunity to talk with students on her campus before the event. Visiting team players expressed surprise and pride that their President would consider travelling for an athletic event. "I cannot think of a more powerful message than having a conference initiative that brings college presidents' to campuses as an example of sportsmanship," said Cutaia.  
     During the game, President Jenkins-Scott met faculty and staff from Southern Vermont College as well as members of the Bennington community. Importantly, the visiting President had a chance to greet a few Wheelock parents who travelled to support their team. Following the game, President Gross gave President Jenkins-Scott a tour of the SVC campus and hosted a dinner with SVC faculty and community residents. A private brunch on Sunday provided the Presidents a chance to assess the day and consider other ways the two institutions could work together prospectively - in the realm of athletics and importantly, academics.
     It was a busy but productive twenty-four hours for both Presidents. Plans are underway for President Gross and her spouse to travel for a fall sporting event at Wheelock College in Boston. In addition, co-curriculum and academic exchanges are actively being pursued, with a possible summer weekend visit for Wheelock students at SVC. "We hope that this presidential exchange will become part of how our new conference operates," said Del Malloy, NECC Commissioner, who confirmed that at least one additional college president in the conference has expressed interest in participating.  
     "Increasing presidential involvement within the DIII conference is a win-win," said Gross. "It not only creates an important academic and cultural exchange but role models good sportspersonship for our students." Both presidents also agreed that the exchange was a completely congenial and pleasant experience. "In these times, it is hard for the head of an institution to take ‘time out' to learn from and relax with one's peers," Jenkins-Scott added. "This was an important visit and also just plain fun."