Having a world-class athletic program is a luxury that few higher education institutions enjoy. This can be a great source of pride for a president and his or her institution, and can galvanize current students and alumni alike. As I began to conduct background research for this interview, the first question that I had was, “What is the president’s role in their institution’s athletic program?” In order to get an answer to this question, among others, I sat down with Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University in upstate New York, near Buffalo.
Q: As college president, what is your level of involvement the university’s athletic program?
A: I am very involved. Our director of athletics, Simon Gray, reports directly to me and sits as a member of the president’s cabinet. As president, I review regularly all areas of the terrain of athletics, academic development, student welfare, civic and mission engagement. When I am on campus I try to attend as many of the competitions and possible. As well, I do meet regularly with our student-athlete advisory council.
Q: How does Niagara athletics contribute to the greater institution?
A: Our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff are great ambassadors for our university. They are great supporters of both our Vincentian mission of service to the marginalized. In addition, they are very fine and dedicated students, many of whom are engaged in the highest level of undergraduate scholarship and research with our faculty. They are a great help to our efforts to recruit and enroll students and student athletes to Niagara University.
Q: The country and the world, for that matter, are still feeling the effects of our most recent economic crisis. How will this impact Niagara?
