MURFREESBORO, N.C. - In August of 2020 the Chowan University athletic department formed a small working committee with the end goal of engaging the Chowan campus community in a safe and positive way during  the often stressful and ever-changing environment that the COVID-19 pandemic has created. The committee, which has held two working meetings to this point, is made up of athletic department administration, coaches, and student-athletes and have rolled out two campus-wide initiatives to this point. 

"The COVID-19 pandemic has touched all corners of collegiate athletics, including how athletic teams workout, practice, hold meetings, and play games," stated Meredith Long, Deputy Athletic Director at Chowan.  "The committee started out of a thought that nothing that we knew as student-athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators would be normal for some time but that engaging our students couldn't stop in that. It (engagement) became even more important because of the current challenges we are facing in college athletics." 

The committee polled both student-athletes and coaches to address the biggest concerns that student-athletes faced on campus. The results from that poll yielded concerns in the hybrid learning environment, student mental health, and areas of professional and career development. The committee also thought that keeping some fun in the planning would go a long ways with students in this stressful time. 

The committee rolled out a six-week virtual forum that began October 7th in which panelists are invited to address the campus community in the top three poll results. The first two weeks of the weekly virtual panel will touch on the hybrid learning model at Chowan while the second two weekly sessions will focus on mental health. The final two weeks will feature panelists that will discuss professional development and career opportunities. The campus community can log on weekly to participate in the interactive sessions. The first week's panel featured nearly 90 participants and six panelists representing academics and athletics. 

"It was great to see the number of students we had participate in the first week's session," stated Patrick Mashuda, Vice President for Athletics. "The students were engaged and the panelists gave thoughtful, incitement information as it related to navigating the hybrid learning model here at Chowan. It was an outstanding opportunity to meet the students where they are and assist them in working through the challenges that they are currently facing." 

The committee also released a team lip sync battle that will begin October 12th. Teams will go head to head in a single-elimination lip sync tournament that will be aired on Instagram TV (cuhawks). CLICK HERE to see the lip sync team battle bracket! The championship battle will be on 11/11/2020 and the winning team will be presented with a trophy and championship tshirts. 
 

Song Selections for Lip Sync Battle Bracket 

Round 1: Songs about Love (10/12-10/23)

Round 2: Disney Theme (10/28-10/29)

Round 3: 90's Music (11/4)

Round 4: Campus Choice (11/11) 

Members of the student-athlete engagement committee are:
Meredith Long, Deputy Athletic Director
Alexis Avery, Associate Atheltic Director for Compliance
Evann Carpenter, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
Chris Whalley, Head Men's Soccer Coach 
Jocelyn Richardson, Assistant Athletic Trainer
Hayley Nejman, Head Acrobatics & Tumbling Coach 
Josh Seese, Head Men's Lacrosse Coach 
Ashley Gustafson, Head Softball Coach 
John Wheeler, Assistant Football Coach 
Monae Moore, SAAC Co-President
Justin Lough, SAAC Co-President