UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 32, Page 3
May 20, 1993
For student athletes; Counseling programs deals with special concerns

     Making the academic grade  sometimes takes a backseat when students
have to deal with such problems and pressures as strained relationships,
parental breakups, roommate problems, fears of pregnancy or personal
rejection.
     For college athletes, additional concerns over making the team or
maintaining a starting position can contribute a significant amount of
tension and frustration.
     Counselor Janice Jordan has heard it all. In her office, located in a
quiet corner of Delaware Field House, the director of the Student Services
for Athletes program attempts to address issues that may be troubling any
of Delaware's student athletes.
     Started in 1987, the program placed Jordan in the athletic complex
area on the south campus to assist athletes, supplementing existing
counseling facilities located on the main campus--in the Perkins Student
Center and in Laurel Hall, home of Student Health Services.
     During the last five years, the program has grown in both staff and in
the number of students it assists. Currently, Jordan said, there are three
other staff members, a part-time program coordinator, a graduate assistant
and a graduate intern.
     She said approximatley 300 students are helped in some way each year.
     The Student Services for Athletes program includes several components
and serves student athletes through counseling, academic monitoring,
workshops and programs, consultation, teaching, publications and research.
     When a student athlete needs outside help in a certain subject, the
program staff will help the individual find a tutor. Students also are
referred to academic assistance units and given information on college
advisment centers and other established campus units, which provide
appropriate assistance.
     The objective, said Jordan,  is to be present to respond to student
needs at the earliest possible stage.
     Jordan said she often will stand in a gym or practice area to make
herself available to students for quick questions--like finding out the
procedure or deadline for dropping a course, or helping somone locate a
certain building or department. While some athletes seek her advice on
their own, others are directed to her when a problem is identified by a
coach.
     Athletes have some special concerns, Jordan explained. She gave the
example of the high school superstar, who has played every game for four
years, but now must adjust to a spot on the bench in the first year in
college. "
     It's hard to be on the sidelines when you're used to being out there
playing," Jordan said.
     Dealing with an injury can be a serious setback for a student athlete.
But while temporary injuries are difficult to address, career-ending
injuries can be a devastating blow. These could require a major adjustment
in a young person's lifestyle.
     "In such a case," Jordan explained, "athletics has been so much a part
of a student's daily life. Yet, they have to learn how to mourn for the
loss of that part of themselves and then learn how to move on."
     Each individual presents a different scenario, she said. If a one-or
two-session conversation doesn't help solve a particular problem, Jordan
may recommend ongoing counseling and refer the student to the counseling
center.
     Active participation and recommendations by members of the coaching
staff have helped make the program successful, Jordan said. She said she
believes the coaches respect the counselors' judgment and ability, and that
is relayed to the student-athletes.
     To Jordan, working in a relaxed, casual way is one of the best parts
of her job. It's a less formal setting then her work as associate director
of the Center for Counseling and Student Development.
     When asked to recall her most satisfying experience, Jordan
immediately told a young man who was having academic difficulties. He tried
everything the staff recommended--went for tutoring, studied extra
hard--but nothing seemed to help.
     Eventually, he was sent to be tested for learning disabilities, and it
was discovered that he had dyslexia. It had gone undetected until he was 20
years old.
     "As soon as he found out," Jordan said, "he came to see me and had
this smile on his face, announcing to me that he had dyslexia. Then he
said, 'I was really starting to believe I was stupid.' He was relieved when
he realized he could be treated. To me, it was worth everything, knowing
that he was getting help and was learning how to deal with his problem."
                                        -Ed Okonowicz