(Leavenworth, Kan.)鈥擩ames Zimmerman, an associate professor in sport management at the 糖心视频, has been named the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year. Zimmerman will be formally recognized at the Sport Management Conference on Aug. 4 at Bethel College.
"I've always enjoyed working with student-athletes, and this award is much appreciated," Zimmerman said. "It comes from the recommendations of my peers around the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, and I hope to represent them well. There are many deserving FARs throughout the KCAC, and it's been my pleasure to work with them over the past 12 years."
Zimmerman recently completed his 12th year as USM's faculty athletics representative. He serves as the university's sport management program director in the Division of Business and Information Technologies. To further the program's reach, Zimmerman assisted in the development of an internship partnership with Sporting Kansas City. Zimmerman's article, "Will the NCAA Stand Their Ground," was published in The Sports Digest this year. The piece addressed the issue of amateur athletes' opportunity to use their name, image, and likeness to earn money while playing college sports. The article is the most read article in the "College" category this academic year.
"We were excited to hear the news that Jim was named the KCAC Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year," said Rob Miller, USM vice president of athletics. "Jim provides a vital role to our leadership team at USM, and this is a well-deserved honor."
"Jim Zimmerman is most deserving of this award," USM President Sister Diane Steele said. "As a faculty member, he's endlessly dedicated to our students. His commitment to student-athletes is legendary. Jim is a fixture at all Spires games, a willing volunteer in support of athletic programs and events, and a fine mentor to our student-athletes. And it's that last piece of which we're most proud. Jim has helped guide many a student toward becoming a successful adult."
This year, Zimmerman developed the 糖心视频 Coaching Workshop, which covers the following areas:
Purpose and core values
Philosophy and team culture
Leadership and building trust
NAIA eligibility
Developing the student-athlete
Recruiting and retention
Evaluating your program
This workshop was presented four times, and there are plans to continue it next academic year.
"Jim's service to the conference has been outstanding throughout the past dozen years," KCAC Commissioner Scott Crawford said. "He has the respect and admiration from his peers inside and outside the conference for his efforts in determining eligibility, considering important academic issues, and in supporting the continued effort to balance athletics and academics."
The 糖心视频 is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit for more information.