The
Yale Athletics Academic Liaison Program (ALP) was established to support the mission and values of Yale Athletics in collaboration with the Yale College Dean’s Office.
Academic Liaisons are members of Yale’s faculty and academic administration dedicated to enhancing the student-athlete experience and reinforcing the
University’s educational mission. Each Academic Liaison is affiliated with a specific team and coaching staff, working to strengthen the connection between academic and athletic pursuits. Academic Liaisons serve as resources for student-athletes, helping them achieve excellence in both the classroom and on their team, and preparing them for success beyond Yale. They can also be a resource to coaches, helping them to understand Yale’s academic culture and supporting recruiting efforts by meeting with prospective players and their families.
Learn more about our Academic Liaisons and their team affiliations
here.
Mission and Values
The Yale Athletics Academic Liaison Program (ALP) is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the student-athlete experience at Yale while reinforcing the
University’s educational mission. Academic Liaison are members of Yale’s faculty and academic administration who work closely with specific teams and coaches, acting as supporters, informal advisers, and mentors. By doing so, they help create a vibrant and inclusive community that bridges Yale Athletics and Yale College.
The ALP fosters education and mentoring by:
- Building relationships founded on mutual respect for excellence in both academics and athletics
- Enriching connections between student-athletes, staff, and faculty
- Preparing student-athletes to achieve, serve, lead, and make positive contributions at Yale and beyond
- Strengthening student-athletes’ sense of belonging within the larger Yale community.
Requirements for the ALP Role:
- A member of Yale’s faculty or academic administration
- A commitment to supporting Yale Athletics’ mission of education and mentoring
- A willingness to be a resource that enhances the student-athlete experience at Yale, both academically and personally.
- A commitment to attend some home contests each season and availability to meet with the team and individual student-athletes or recruits upon request, as scheduling allows.
The frequency and types of interaction between an Academic Liaison and a team are flexible and are determined in consultation with the head coach. Below are some common types of engagement:
- Games: Academic Liaisons are strongly encouraged to attend home games and are welcome to invite family and friends to join. If the team they are affiliated requires tickets for games, Academic Liaisons will receive four complimentary tickets. Upon a coach’s invitation, Academic Liaisons may also join the team for local away games.
- Practices: Academic Liaisons can attend practices but, in accordance with NCAA guidelines, they should not participate in any coaching activities (such as strategic advice, demonstrating skills, team drills, skills instruction, etc.).
- Recruiting: At a coach’s request, Academic Liaisons may meet with prospective student-athletes and their families on campus or speak about their role during recruitment events. In accordance with NCAA policies, Academic Liaisons may not provide recruits with any tangible benefits or items.
- Community Service: Academic Liaisons occasionally participate in community service activities with teams.
- Meals: At a coach’s invitation Academic Liaisons may occasionally attend team meals.
FAQs
What may Academic Liaisons do?
- Attend games and practices to support the team
- Participate in team roundtables or meetings upon coaches’ request
- Connect student-athletes with campus resources
- Host meals for the team or individual student-athletes
- Occasionally travel with the team for games, tournaments, or service outings upon a coach’s request
- Meet with prospective student-athletes during official recruiting visits upon a coach’s request
- Be featured in the team roster
- Share experiences and insights that may benefit student-athletes
What can student-athletes gain?
- Insights into Yale’s academic and campus resources
- Guidance on navigating life at Yale and beyond
- Enthusiastic fans of athletic pursuits
- Encouragement to explore academic and extracurricular opportunities
- An extra resource during challenges, in addition to college deans and other advisors on campus
- Friendships and a stronger support network around the team
What can coaches gain?
- An ally on the faculty or academic administration who understands the challenges that coaches and student-athletes face at an institution like Yale that strives for both academic and athletic excellence.
- An academic point-of-contact for recruits and their families
- Friendships and a stronger support network around the team
What benefits do Academic Liaisons receive?
- The satisfaction of positively impacting the academic and personal development of student-athletes
- A deeper understanding of the balance between academics and athletics
- Friendships with coaches and student-athletes
- A piece of Yale Athletics apparel to show support for your team
What else is important to know about the program?
- Being an Academic Liaison is a voluntary role with flexible involvement
- There’s no single way to be a great liaison — each relationship is unique
- Academic Liaison and student-athlete relationships are built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellence both in academics and athletics.
- To allow more faculty and academic administrators to participate in the program, and to minimize the obligation, Academic Liaisons serve a renewable three-year term.
