Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Names Calvin Symons Associate Athletics Director for NCAA Compliance and Student Services
11/13/2007 7:00:00 AM | General
Nov. 13, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Calvin Symons, who had served as the director of the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse since 1993 and the author of that organization's widespread database, has been named Bucknell's next associate athletics director for NCAA compliance and student services, director of athletics and recreation John Hardt announced today.
Symons has been involved in amateur athletics for more than 20 years, including a stint with the United States Olympic Committee, and through his 14-year association with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse, he has gained expertise in the area of NCAA rules compliance.
"As someone who has dedicated his professional life to the welfare of the student-athlete, Calvin will be natural and welcome addition to the Bison Athletics family," said Hardt. "Seven years ago Bucknell committed to having a full-time administrator on board to address the needs of our student-athletes and to oversee the vital area of rules compliance, and I am extremely proud of the progress we have made in these critical areas. This position is charged with oversight of many of our department's top priorities, and to have someone with Calvin's experience and reputation at the helm is very assuring."
At Bucknell, Symons will direct the department of athletics' compliance and rules education program for coaches, student-athletes, departmental staff, boosters and university offices, as well as coordinate and monitor the certification of student-athletes' eligibility and financial aid.
"I am pleased and proud to be offered this opportunity to come to an institution with the reputation, environment and history of Bucknell University," said Symons. "I hope to contribute to the development of a group of `student-athletes' who truly warrant that descriptor. I believe I can add to the rich Bucknell tradition by bringing my experience and background to an already highly motivated and committed staff under John Hardt's leadership."
Symons is credited with designing and implementing the original database for the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse, which processes more than 150,000 student-athletes each year. He oversaw the Clearinghouse operation grow from a staff of seven at its inception in 1993 to an operation of more than 100 employees. As Clearinghouse director, Symons gained a thorough understanding of the NCAA's structure, philosophy, programs and policies. He served in an advisory capacity to several NCAA committees and represented the Clearinghouse at national educational seminars and presentations to state and national high school groups and college associations across the country.
Symons, who has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a pair of master's degrees in public administration and sports administration from Penn State University, worked with the U.S. Olympic Committee as a project manager and operations manager from 1985-89. He was responsible for planning and logistics for the U.S. Olympic Festival and was a member of the operations staff for the Pan American Games in 1987 and the Olympic Games in 1988.
Later Symons worked with the State of Maryland, authoring a feasibility study and bid document for the state to host a U.S. Olympic Festival. He also consulted with the Carnegie-Mellon University athletics department and the Colorado Amateur Sports Corporation on athletic administration affairs.
Symons' initial work specific to NCAA rules compliance came with the Syracuse University athletics department, where he helped create an innovative adaptation of an NCAA Compliance Manual.
From 1978-84, Symons served as coordinator of programs in the department of student affairs at Penn State. In that capacity he supervised 15 resident assistants and designed programs and workshops to foster community building and conflict resolution.
Bucknell is a highly-selective, privately endowed liberal arts institution with an enrollment of approximately 3,400 undergraduate students. Bucknell competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Patriot League and has full membership along with American, Army, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh and Navy. Bucknell has won the Presidents' Cup, signifying the Patriot League's all-sports champion, in 13 of 17 years.
Bucknell annually ranks among the national leaders in graduation rate of its student athletes. In addition, Bucknell ranks fifth in Division I in the total number of ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America selections, with 114 national honorees since 1970.
