Student-Athlete Mentors
The student-athlete mentors organize the annual WC Games, a friendly competition among student-athletes and athletic staff. Click here to view photos from the 2007 event!
The SAM Program
at Washington College
The Athletics Department at Washington
College recognizes that in addition to the physical and academic demands
placed on collegiate student-athletes, there may be social, emotional,
and psychological pressures. In 1993 Washington College implemented
a program of peer support for student-athletes, named the Student-Athlete-Mentor
(SAM) Program.
SAM Program Goal
The goal of the SAM program is "to create a safer and more positive
environment that reduces social hazards for student athletes."
To achieve this goal and to help educate their teammates, the
SAMs at Washington College have organized a number of guest speakers
on topics such as substance abuse, motivation, nutrition, date
rape, and eating disorders. SAMs select topics based on the concerns
of their individual teams and address issues that can affect the
entire campus community.
Who are the SAMs?
SAMs are student-athletes elected by their teammates. Team members
are encouraged to choose a SAM who can be helpful in a wide
variety of situations and exemplifies some of the following
characteristics: confidentiality, open-mindedness, and resourcefullness.
SAMs are available to their teammates both on and off the playing
venue, and they have resources and referral information at their
disposal.
SAM Training
There are several SAM training sessions throughout the school
year. This training includes seminars by experts in the areas
of substance abuse, battering and partner abuse, health issues,
nutrition and weight concerns, sexual assault, and emotional
problems. There are also training sessions and clinics by college
staff in a wide variety of other areas. In the past several
years, topics for SAM training have included: supporting a victim
of date rape, alcoholism in college students, sexual orientation,
and sexually transmitted diseases.
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What is a SAM?
What does the SAM Program mean to Washington College? |
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"As a team SAM, I am able to reach
out to my teammates and help them deal with the issues they
face as student-athletes. They see me as a leader, a role model
and another resource when problems arise.”
Mary McAuliffe, Women’s Rowing
SAM
“The SAMs help not only to bring
a single team together, but also to integrate all the sports
into a powerful unit that provides positive experiences for
student-athletes in the college community. It is a great opportunity
for athletes from different sports to come together and work
towards achieving common goals.”
Alex Kuhn, Men’s Swimming
SAM
“The SAM program gives me the opportunity
to get more involved with the college community in fun and helpful
ways. I have been able to volunteer as an elementary student
mentor and participate in various off-campus service activities.”
Julie Bahus, Softball SAM
“The SAM program provides an opportunity
for athletes to become involved in the campus and Chestertown
community. As a SAM, my teammates come to me for advice, encouragement
and information. Being there for my teammates is a great experience.”
Beka Beckett, Volleyball SAM
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“As a SAM, my teammates
can come to me with their concerns, whether it be personal,
academic, athletic, or any other strains they may face as
student-athletes. The SAM program encourages open communication
between athletes, provides training in a variety of areas,
and reaches out to the community.”
Amy Milauskas, Volleyball SAM
“As SAMs,we try to
create an atmosphere that is safe for Washington College student-athletes.
The SAM program encourages us to get involved as leaders for
our teams in areas outside of just the playing field.”
Michael Dyal, Men’s Lacrosse SAM
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