2019 Annual Report - 7

Supporting
Students Through
ATHLETICS
Providing Opportunities to Participate, Collaborate and Compete
Sports can be a big part of campus life for many college students.
Athletics programs provide measurable impact on a college's mission,
they can increase enrollment and retention, and support ongoing
educational and athletic opportunities.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology believes in the value of a wellrounded
college experience, including athletics. " We reach students
because of athletics. We teach students because of athletics, " explained
Dr. Chris Metzler, Thaddeus Stevens College Athletic Director and Dean
of Student Services. " Some students won't go on to college unless they
have an opportunity to play a sport. "
Upwards of 120 student athletes participate in Thaddeus Stevens
Bulldogs sports programs. Like all students at the College, participants
have minimum GPA requirements.
The College participates in five league sports: football, which is part of
an independent league, basketball, wrestling, track and field and cross
country, all of which are part of the National Junior College Athletic
Association (NJCAA). Female students compete in the College's cross
country program. Additional women's sports team are in the planning
stages to meet the increasing number of women who attend Thaddeus
Stevens College.
Athletics programming, both the collegiate leagues and the intramural
activities such as volleyball, dodgeball and basketball, are integral to the
College's mission. " Thaddeus Stevens College provides under-resourced
individuals the opportunity to attend our college and to earn a degree
that results in a family-sustaining career, " explained Dr. Metzler. " Many
high school athletes want to continue to play at a collegiate level, but
may be concerned about the cost of college. While Stevens College
does not offer athletic scholarships, our mission provides for the Stevens
Grant, offering all Pell-eligible students aid that includes tuition, room
and board, books and tools. Last year, 54 percent of our students
qualified for this grant, " he concluded.
" Thaddeus Stevens College measures its success by the success of
our students when they graduate, " said Metzler. " Our coaching staff
plays a central role in supporting our students, from emotional support
to monitoring and encouraging our students' academic success. The
synergy between the locker room and classroom translates to the overall
advancement of the College's mission. "
Dr. Christopher Metzler
Graduated from:
Elizabethtown Area High School
Clemson University
Bachelor - Economics;
Masters - Guidance and
Counseling Services
Northcentral University (AZ) PhD
- Education, Exceptional Student
Education
Experience:
Sports information with Clemson
University; Sports marketing
with Carolina Panthers and
Philadelphia Eagles;
Lehigh University - Career
Counselor;
Thaddeus Stevens College -
2003, Counseling services, then to
student services (director);
2016 Dean of Student Services
and Athletic Director.
7
2019 Annual Report

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2019 Annual Report
