Vikings Athletics introduces the first-ever Vikings University Athletics Board to enrich the student-athlete experience at the University of Alberta's Augustana Campus.
In continuing to strive for excellence, Vikings Athletics is proud to announce the formation of a newly created University Athletics Board (UAB). Made up of student-athletes at the University of Alberta's Augustana Campus, the main goal of the UAB is to enrich the student-athlete experience. In other words, the UAB is all about "athletes supporting athletes."
The UAB will act as a liaison between Vikings student-athletes and Vikings Athletics, increasing communication and collaboration. Furthermore, the UAB will work to enhance the student-athlete experience at Augustana and expand the role of athletes within the Camrose community.
Third-year Vikings Nordic sports president and cross-country runner Nathanael Tabert will act as UAB president, as chosen by his fellow board members. Fourth-year Vikings volleyball captain Danielle Brockman will continue her role as the Vikes for Tykes Executive.
"Many athletes in the past, and especially this past year, have felt that they were not well informed of nor involved in decisions made by athletics. It has also been difficult for students to make their concerns surrounding these decisions known to athletics," says Tabert. "The UAB will help bridge this gap as it puts student-athletes in direct communication with athletics through student representatives from each program."
The inaugural board will serve for 18 months, with those set to graduate in June 2021 replaced by a new representative from their team.
"In addition, the UAB will provide an opportunity to build community across all athletic programs at Augustana as they work together to make Augustana athletics the very best that it can be! GO VIKINGS!" adds Tabert.
To help encourage the growth of the Vikings community, the board will work to help plan Colour Night and other events for student-athletes to connect with others within the Vikings family while taking on projects that are important to Vikings student-athlete success in all aspects of life.
"The establishment of a University Athletics Board (which is similar to the Board for Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics on the University of Alberta's North Campus) for Augustana student-athletes is another important step in engaging students and giving them an important voice in the future of Vikings Athletics," notes Ian Reade, Interim Athletic Director. "Vikings student-athletes have always been very engaged in faculty and community activities, so it is a natural process to give them a formalized opportunity to engage with faculty leadership on issues specific to athletics."
President & Nordic Sports Representative - Nathanael Tabert
Men's Basketball Representative - Nathan Bowie
Women's Basketball Representative - Hannah Mitchell
Curling Representative - Dustin Rupertus
Hockey Representative - Jarod Hovde
Soccer Representative - Cari Kilmartin
Men's Volleyball Representative - Treyl Ernst
Vikes For Tykes Executive & Women's Volleyball Representative - Danielle Brockman
Cross-Country Running - TBD with Nathanael Tabert acting as a temporary representative