Chancellor Calls for Nominations for New Faculty Athletic Representative

Chancellor Kent Syverud is accepting nominations from faculty interested in serving as the faculty athletic representative (FAR) beginning July 1, 2022. The FAR plays a critical role in upholding the University’s commitment to academic excellence, graduation success and the overall well-being of student-athletes.

“The responsibilities of this position are vital to maintaining the reputation of Syracuse University as one of the best places in the nation to pursue a passion for both academic rigor and athletic performance,” says Chancellor Syverud. “I look forward to reviewing the applicants for this position and working closely with the faculty member selected to fill this important role.”

“We take tremendous pride in the consistently excellent performance of our student-athletes both on and off the field,” says Director of Athletics John Wildhack. “The faculty member who fills the role of FAR shares in the responsibility for ensuring that our athletics program understands and supports the unique needs of the student-athletes to excel in the classroom and in their sport of choice.”

The FAR, who is appointed by the Chancellor, acts as the Chancellor’s and Provost’s advisor on all matters involving the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), including providing input on potential NCAA and ACC legislation and policies. The FAR represents Syracuse University as the voting delegate to the annual NCAA convention and may serve as a delegate at any other NCAA or ACC meetings as directed by the Chancellor.

The FAR also acts as liaison between athletics and academics, periodically reporting to the faculty and administration on the academic well-being of student-athletes. The FAR has responsibility, in consultation with the assistant provost for student-athlete academic development and associate athletics director for compliance, to ensure that student-athletes meet all NCAA, conference and Syracuse University requirements for eligibility to participate in team activities, benefit from financial aid and participate in intercollegiate competition as a representative of Syracuse University.

The FAR also bears responsibility for the development of statistical reports on the academic preparation and performance of student-athletes for each sports team and providing them to the Chancellor, Provost, Board of Trustees, Athletics Compliance Committee, appropriate Faculty Senate Committees, Athletics administration and head coaches, and chairs the Faculty Oversight Committee.

Rick Burton, the David B. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, has served as the University’s FAR since 2014. “Rick has brought extraordinary insight and a wealth of experience in sports marketing and management to the position of FAR and we are deeply grateful for the years he devoted to serving our student-athletes,” says Wildhack. Burton began his own career as a sportswriter in Syracuse and continues to publish scholarly research and commentary while teaching in the Renée Crown Honors Program on sports and culture. He is the former commissioner of Australia’s National Basketball League and served as the chief marketing officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.

Individuals interested in applying for this position must be a member of the Syracuse University faculty or an administrator who holds faculty rank. The FAR cannot hold an administrative or coaching position in the athletics department. The FAR handbook is an excellent resource for prospective candidates.

Individuals interested in applying for the position should submit a letter of interest by Friday, April 29, to nomination@syr.edu.