How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
Department Summary
Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) is a student-centered unit within the Division of Student Life whose work is guided by best-practice standards and interventions utilizing a multidimensional model of student well-being. SAAS oversees four key resources; Academic Support and Access Partnerships (ASAP), Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), Adaptive Sports and Fitness (ASF), & Testing Accommodation Centers, and is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility by providing support services, advocacy and academic accommodations to students with disabilities. SAAS is strongly committed to outreach services to the academic community at large, and promoting awareness of disability issues, and providing support for equal access for all students. SAAS is a partner to students, faculty, and staff in the pursuit of developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
The vision of Adaptive Sports & Fitness is to lead the state of Michigan and the nation in adaptive sport, fitness, and recreation by embracing diversity and inclusion and providing new opportunities to students and community members with and without disabilities. Adaptive Sports and Fitness is a multi-disciplinary recreational and competitive adaptive sports & fitness program that creates equitable opportunities for health and wellness for people with and without disabilities at the University of Michigan and in the greater Ann Arbor community. Adaptive Sports & Fitness aims to increase awareness, knowledge, access, and opportunity in relation to adaptive fitness, recreation, and sport for all members of the community. Established in 2018, the program has quickly become nationally recognized for its competitive adaptive sports programs and work in the community to support the growth and development of adaptive sports.
Job Summary
The Wheelchair Rugby Head Coach will provide leadership and oversight for the Wheelchair Rugby program. Develop and implement strategy, structure, and initiatives related to the wheelchair rugby program. Analyze, compare, review and evaluate program activities and outcomes. This role will lead all coaching and athlete development for the wheelchair rugby program. Represent the program with internal and external partners and stakeholders including serving on assigned committees to represent the department. This role will manage the budget allocated towards the wheelchair rugby program. The position will be responsible for staff, student, and student-athlete development within the wheelchair rugby program. This individual will provide a strategic approach for the wheelchair rugby program and its operations. This position will provide direct supervision of the Wheelchair Rugby program by creating and managing the budget, policies, procedures, and operations.
This is a 9-month seasonal position, from mid-August through mid-May each year.
Responsibilities*
Leadership and Program Oversight (40%):
- Work with the Associate Director and Assistant Director to create, implement, and assess the strategic plan for UM Adaptive Sports & Fitness, specifically focusing on wheelchair rugby.
- Develop, deliver, and provide learning opportunities for students and the University community.
- Support the Assistant Director to identify, establish, and steward donor, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities that support the growth of wheelchair rugby.
- Manage relationships with existing partners internally and externally to support the growth of wheelchair rugby (Existing ASF stakeholders include, but are not limited to - Department of Family
- Medicine, University Health and Counseling, School of Kinesiology, Procurement Services, Recreational Sports, Athletics, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, The Disability
- Network Washtenaw-Monroe-Livingston County, Underground Printing, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, United States Wheelchair Rugby Association, Therapeutic Riding, INC.).
- Manage the procurement of equipment, apparel, goods, and services for the wheelchair rugby program.
- Work with athletics to support program activities; including managing facility rental agreements for wheelchair rugby.
- Coordinate competitions for wheelchair rugby by establishing relationships with other collegiate adaptive sports programs, adaptive sports organizations, and sports governing bodies locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Coordinate and manage wheelchair rugby competitions for away and home competitions; including but not limited to transportation, accommodations, meals, officials, registrations, event sanctioning, and volunteer recruitment.
- Identify opportunities for external funding through grants or sponsored projects that align with the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program scope and support the Associate Director and Assistant
- Director in the application process.
- Ensure that risk management issues related to accommodations for fitness, recreation, and sports are addressed, including participation waivers; provide a safe, secure, and accessible environment for all scheduled activities and events.
- Ensure that all appropriate certifications and required safety training are based on industry standards and best practices.
- Provide leadership for the continued development of the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program.
- Lead student-athlete recruitment initiatives for wheelchair rugby including informational meetings with high school and prospective students, informational sessions with community-based adaptive sports programs, and on-site visits to local adaptive sports events and competitions.
- Serve on committees or work teams internal and external to the University of Michigan to support diversity, equity, and inclusion and the growth and development of the wheelchair rugby program.
- Participate in and lead workshops, seminars, clinics, panels, and other speaking engagements that support an increase in awareness and knowledge of adaptive sports and inclusive recreation, trends in the collegiate adaptive sports landscape, and Adaptive Sports & Fitness projects and initiatives.
- Collaborate with University colleagues to represent the Adaptive Sports & Fitness program.
- Support the Associate Director and Assistant Director in the competition and technical planning for ASF's annual wheelchair Rugby tournament, the Coupie Classic.
Coaching (45%):
- Attend and coach all wheelchair rugby practices (varsity and recreational) and competitions.
- Assess individual athlete strengths, weaknesses, and developmental needs to create individualized and team training goals, programs, and lessons.
- Identify practice plans and training programs that meet the learning methods and development needs of the athletes.
- Schedule and meet with each athlete regularly to review progress and evaluate their individual development
- Film practices and competitions to do video analysis and coaching with athletes.
- Meet regularly with the ASF Strength & Conditioning Coach, Head Athletic Trainer for Adaptive and Club Sports, and UHS Physical Therapist to ensure integration of athlete training and health; review individual athletes and overall training program, make adjustments to the training program
- Follow best practices as established by USA Wheelchair Rugby and other coaching and education leaders in the adaptive sports landscape.
Fiscal Oversight (10%):
- Manage the operating budgets of areas of oversight; ensure compliance of operations with Department, Division, and University policies. Purchase and maintain inventory of all equipment and gear as needed.
- Maintain inventory of all equipment and gear including supply orders.
Staff Oversight (5%):
- Provide supervision, direction, coaching, and mentoring of staff, temp staff, interns, and volunteers who fall within the purview of wheelchair rugby.
Other Expectations: Evening and weekend work responsibilities, as needed; be on-call to provide leadership during times programs and facilities are operating; attend professional development opportunities, as assigned; other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications*
- A Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Kinesiology, Sports Management, or a related field
- At least 2 years experience in coaching wheelchair rugby or rugby
- Current certifications in CPR, First Aid, and AED or ability to obtain within six months of hire
- Ability to attain required certifications by USA Wheelchair Rugby to serve as a wheelchair rugby coach within six months of hire.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Financial/Budgetary Responsibility
This role will be responsible for managing the budget allocated towards the wheelchair rugby program. This role will be responsible for managing the equipment and resource needs for the wheelchair rugby program.
Working conditions
Expected to work early morning, evening hours and/or weekends, travel to local events to represent the program, and travel with student-athletes to adaptive sports events. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary.
Physical requirements
Ability to support the needs of athletes and participants at practices and competitions, with reasonable accommodations as needed.
Direct reports
Temporary staff, student interns
Additional Information
Selected candidates whose start date is after 4/1/2024 or before 8/31/2024 will not be eligible for the university FY 24-25 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.
This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.
Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.
Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.
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Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
