2013 Peak Performance Brochure

History of the Peak Performance Plan Established in 2001 by former Director of Athletics Susan Bassett, the Peak Performance Plan was designed to help student-athletes attain peak performance in the classroom, in the athletics arena, and in their personal lives. The program addressed all aspects of wellness with an emphasis on preventing, through education, eating disorders. The Peak Performance Plan created an environment that valued physical and intellectual excellence by women and was divided into four main components:

1) Student-athlete assessment/education 2) Core 20 peer facilitators 3) Sport specific training 4) Staff professional development

“The current plan is built on the same four components and now includes expanded student-athlete leadership groups and an enhanced life skills development program,�

Deb Steward Director of William Smith Athletics 2005-present

Peak Perfor Student-Athlete Assessment and Evaluation

Sport Specific

Physicals

Strength and Conditioning

The Core Workshops

Rising Stars Workshops

StudentAthlete Advisory Committee

Time Management

Injury Prevention

Mental Training

Vocal Leadership Curriculum

Leadership by Example Curriculum

Monthly Committee Meetings

Social Networking

Compliance

Communication

Career Planning

Goal Setting

Civic Engagement

Life Skill Development

Leadership

Wellness

Nutrition

Alcohol and Other Drugs

Self-Defense

mance Plan Coach Assistant Coach Workshops

HWS Engagement

Professional Development

Breakfast Seminars

Guest Speakers

Conferences

Coach’s Playbook Topics

Collaboration

Conventions

Civic Engagement

Certifications

Peak Performance Plan Today’s Peak Performance Plan is a comprehensive educational initiative to enhance the lives of Heron student-athletes and coaches.

The curriculum includes personal and athletic development through the education and empowerment of women and coaches of female student-athletes. Currently funded by the Heron Society, the Peak Performance Plan emphasizes leadership and life skills development of our student-athletes.

Leadership Leadership Groups Rising Stars Consists of high potential first-year and sophomore leaders. The program provides future leaders with insights, strategies and skills necessary to become effective leaders. Leadership by example is emphasized.

The Core Comprised of proven veteran leaders who have completed Rising Stars or are in their junior or senior year. The program provides these leaders with critical skills and insights necessary to be responsible and respected leaders. Vocal leadership is emphasized.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) The purpose of the advisory committee is to provide a mechanism for communication and to promote activity between student-athletes, the athletics department, and the campus community. The SAAC serves as the voice of William Smith student-athletes at the institutional, conference, and national levels.

Leadership Curriculum The Core and Rising Stars leadership curriculum is comprised of five sessions with Sport Psychologist Dr. Tiffany Jones ’99, and covers the following topics: Confidence Communication Accountability Commitment Ignition

“Our leadership program here at William Smith has taken leadership expectations to the next level. The Peak Performance Plan pushes William Smith athletes to achieve their full potential in terms of teammate and coach relationships, work ethic, and academic achievements. Any athlete who begins the program timid and inexperienced will emerge a confident and vocal leader for her team and our College.”

Olivia Zitoli ’14 William Smith Soccer

Life Skill Development Over the course of four years, Heron student-athletes will attend workshops and seminars covering the following topics: The First Year Walk of Champions Think Before You Post: The Game of Social Media Time Management The Sophomore Year Pathways: A Career Development Plan Self Defense The Junior Year Marketing Your Athletic Career Fierce Conversations The Senior Year Life Out of the Nest Health Success = Life Success: Performance for the Working Athlete Additional Topics Financial Planning Nutrition Pure Performance – drug and alcohol awareness Diversity – LGBTQ, Race, Social, Religion Goal Setting and Teamwork Stress Management Communication Developing Mental Toughness Title IX Hazing Using Sports for Positive Social Change

“I remember beginning my time as a Heron as a wide-eyed first-year on the Walk of Champions tour; to now emerging from the Heron’s Nest as a well-rounded senior. I value all the workshops from the Peak Performance Plan, particularly the Core 20 leadership group of which I was a member for two years. Every meeting with Dr. Jones challenged me to become a better leader not only on my team, but in other areas of my life. I am grateful to have participated in the dynamic Peak Performance Plan, and will take these skills to future jobs and relations.”

Marissa Potter ’13 William Smith Lacrosse

Teammates William Smith student-athletes and coaches are fortunate to learn and interact with professionals from various fields including athletics, business, sport psychology, nutrition, and higher education. Recent guests include: Herman Boone – Former Football Coach at T. C. Williams High School, Alexandria, Va., whose story was portrayed in the film Remember the Titans Azure Davey – SUNYAC Commissioner Tina Felice – Geneva Martial Arts, 6 Degree Black Belt Kendall Fletcher – Professional Soccer Player, NCAA Champion 2003, University of North Carolina Amy Forbes – Associate Director, Centennial Center for Leadership, Hobart and William Smith Colleges Pat Griffin – Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Founding Director of Changing the Game, former Director of It Takes A Team!

Amy Hoover ’95 – Senior Account Manager, Express Scripts Dr. Tiffany Jones ’99 – Sport Psychologist, President of X-Factor Performance Consulting Dr. James B. Maas – Internationally recognized authority on sleep and performance, Author of Sleep to Win, Retired Cornell University Professor Bob Murphy – Vice President of Enrollment, Dean of Admissions, Hobart and William Smith Colleges Meghan Musnicki – USA Women’s Rowing London 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Briana Scurry – Goalkeeper, US Women’s National Soccer Team, 1996 & 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, 1999 World Cup Champion Dr. Greg Shelley – Sport Psychologist, Associate Professor, Ithaca College Susan Scott ’67 – Author of Fierce Conversations and Fierce Leadership, Founder and CEO of Fierce, Inc. Dr. Cindy Oyler Teerlinck ’93 – Family Practice Physician and Business Owner Dr. John Underwood – President and Founder of American Athletic Institute Dr. Mike Vorozilchak - Finger Lakes Family Chiropractic & Wellness Tim Wierman – President of Nutrition Education Services Inc., Creator and Key Speaker for Eat To Compete: The Athlete’s Sport Nutrition Program

“Every day at practice, I was very fortunate to be supported by the familiarity and love of my teammates.

It was the Peak Performance Plan that provided me with the opportunity to break out of my comfort zone, collaborate with unfamiliar faces, and form enduring friendships with a wide variety of William Smith athletes. Attending organized events led by deeply passionate, experienced leaders such as author Susan Scott, challenged me to develop new relationships by making every conversation fierce – “one in which we come out from behind ourselves, into the conversation, and make it real.” By actively practicing leadership among a group of dynamic student-athletes, I have learned that I must engage my head, personality, and heart in order to generate a lasting impact on my team and greater community.”

Emily D’Addario ’13 William Smith Cross Country

Professional Development Dr. Tiffany Jones ’99 Development Professional Sport Psychologist, X-Factor Performance Consulting Dr. Tiffany Jones ’99 Dr. Jones plays an integral partPerformance in student-athlete leadership development and Sport Psychologist, X-Factor Consulting team growth. She teaches The Core and Rising Stars leadership curriculum.

Working of our teams, athletes and coaches, Dr. Jonesas well Dr. Joneswith playseach an integral part in individual student-athlete leadership development also advises on a number of team and individual specific topics including but as team growth and development. She leads Rising Stars and Core 20 sessions, not limited to: motivation, mental toughness, managing emotions and anxiety, following a leadership curriculum. Also working with each of our eleven teams, improving team dynamics, and developing effective communication strategies. individual athletes and coaches, Dr. Jones covers a number of team and individual specific topics including but not limited to: motivation, mental toughness, managing emotions and anxiety, improving team dynamics, and developing Coaches Professional Development effective communication strategies.

The Peak Performance Plan supports professional development for our coaching staff and provides coaches with continuing education resources. Keeping William Coaches Professional Development: Smith Athletics on the cutting edge, coaches follow a “playbook” with Dr. Jones covering including butsupports not limited to: The Peaktopics Performance Plan professional development for our coaching staff and provides coaches with continuing education resources. Dr. Tiffany Jones ’99Coaching conductsPhilosophy Breakfast Seminars with our coaching staff on each of her five visits in Leadership to Confidence campus. Keeping William Smith Athletics on the cutting edge, coaches follow Communication a “playbook” with Dr. Jones covering topics including but not limited to: Commitment Coaching Philosophy Ignition in Leadership Confidence Communication Assistant coaches meet as a group with Dr. Jones to share ideas, enhance the Commitment relationship between athlete and head coach, and prepare them for their coaching Ignition career.

Assistant coaches meet as a group with Dr. Jones during her visits to share ideas, In addition working with Dr. Jones, ourand staff meets with speakers enhance thetorelationship between athlete head coach andguest prepare our assistant throughout year to discuss best practices and implement strategies to coaches for the a future in coaching. strengthen the William Smith Athletic Department.

In addition to working with Dr. Jones, our staff has the good fortune to meet with guest speakers throughout the year to discuss best practices and implement

“William Smith Athletics Peak Performance Plan is an incredible initiative that not only prepares student-athletes for life beyond sports but reveals the true commitment that the coaches and administration have for developing the entire person. In an arena that often promotes win-at-all-cost mentality, William Smith Athletics is really breaking the mold by implementing a plan that will allow ALL student-athletes to reach their excellence on and off the field of play.”

Dr. Tiffany Jones ’99, Sport Psychologist William Smith Soccer

William Smith College Athletics Mission William Smith College Department of Athletics strives to provide a challenging, competitive and meaningful experience for student-athletes through the development of physical, mental, social and life skills. The Department accomplishes this mission by serving as teachers, counselors, leaders and representatives of the College. In addition, we are committed to offering quality instruction, services and athletic facilities, while promoting a high level of sportslike behavior and competition. Heron teams include: Basketball Cross Country Field Hockey Golf Ice Hockey Lacrosse

Rowing Soccer Sailing Squash Swimming and Diving Tennis

Heron Society The Heron Society was founded in 1983 to advance the William Smith College athletics program and enhance the experience of William Smith student-athletes.

Over the years, the generosity of Heron Society members has provided meaningful financial support for the William Smith athletics program, increased visibility for William Smith athletics and promoted camaraderie among alumnae, Hobart alumni, parents and friends.

Heron Society members support the athletics program broadly, helping to fund the Peak Performance Plan, team training trips, the purchase of practice apparel, a recruiting web-based program, digital editing equipment, and much more.

“The Peak Performance Plan has been the most beneficial program for me, both athletically and educationally, throughout my four years as a William Smith student-athlete. Each element of the program from being a member of Rising Stars and Core 20 leadership groups, to participating in individual and team building sessions with Dr. Jones, to attending seminars focused on selfdefense and using athletics in the work force, has been a key piece in shaping me into the athlete, student, and person I have become today. Above all else however, the program has developed and nurtured my ability not only to be a great leader, but more importantly, to empower others to be leaders both on and off the athletic field. I feel honored to have had the chance to be a part of this program because I know I will be able to use the ideas and skills I have learned from it for the rest of my life.�

Jaimie Rubin ’13 William Smith Basketball

Peak Performance Plan Made Possible By

For more information please contact: Deb Steward Director of William Smith Athletics 315-781-3500 www.HWSAthletics.com