The Edward Hitchcock Fellowship

“This fellowship, established by the late Mrs. Frank L. Babbott of Brooklyn, N.Y., is available for study in the Department of Physical Education.  Its object is to make the student familiar with the best methods of physical training, both in the gymnasium and on the field.  The appointment is made by the Faculty upon the recommendation of the Department of Physical Education and Athletics.”  (Amherst College Catalog)

Philosophy of Position: 
The Hitchcock Fellowship will be awarded to an Amherst College senior (to begin the fall following graduation) who is interested in pursuing a career in teaching and coaching or another sports-related field.  The intent of the award is to provide the Fellow an opportunity to gain practical experience in the daily operations of a Division III department of physical education and athletics. 

Date of Employment:   
To be determined by intercollegiate schedule in consultation with the Senior Woman Administrator.

Salary:
The Hitchcock Fellow receives a weekly salary, as well as a stipend; the latter is distributed in two installments by the Dean of Faculty’s Office.  As a member of the Faculty, the Fellow also receives full benefits, including health and dental.  Further questions about the allocation of payment and benefits can be discussed during the application process with the Senior Woman Administrator.

Hours/Vacation Time:
Hours and vacation time will be determined on a season to season basis by consulting the head coach of the in-season sport and/or the Fellow’s primary sports program.
           
Requirements:
            All applicants must be seniors (graduating in May) at Amherst College.
           
Job Responsibilities:

• Assistant Coach 2-3 seasons
• Director of Intramural Sports Program (including publicity/campus announcements, worker hiring, website updates, game scheduling, coordinating field/gym space)
• Active member of the Athletic Department, including but not limited to, attendance at Department and sub-committee meetings, as well as assisting in the general intercollegiate administrative process
• Physical Education Class Teacher (may teach class of his/her choice), one class in each of 4 units
• Member of Amherst Faculty, may attend and vote at all Faculty meetings
• Organizer of Athletic Department Holiday Party
• Participator to an exit interview, along with the Athletic Director, the Senior Woman Administrator, and the Fellow’s Head Coaches, aiding in the general evaluation and improvement of the Hitchcock Fellowship

Resources:

• $1500 Professional Development and Travel Budget - To be used for conventions, lectures, training courses, scouting trips. Budget can cover transportation, meals, registration fees, etc.  See Business Manager and/or Comptroller for details.

• $200 Entertainment Budget - To be used for entertaining student/athletes including team dinners, parent or alumni functions, going to a pro or other college game, or special team events hosted by you.

• Computer and printer with U-drive and I-drive access, individual phone line with voice mail, desk and chair in (shared) office, all standard office supplies. (See Business Manager and Administrative Assistant to Athletic Director for details)
• 24-hour access to gym and office, faculty parking permit

All applicants are encouraged to discuss with coaches during the interview process what role he/she would play within that program.  These discussions are intended to clarify, for the coaches and the applicant, the anticipated role of the applicant if selected as Hitchcock Fellow. (See below for possible responsibilities the applicants and coaches may wish to address.) The applicant should also feel free to inquire about a coach’s philosophy regarding college athletics, game strategy, team dynamics, etc. to better evaluate his/her future participation in a program.  Once selected, the Hitchcock Fellow will then arrange a follow up meeting with each of the head coaches whom he/she wishes to assist.  The head coach will then lay out in much more detail the duties and expectations of the Hitchcock Fellow within this coaching assignment, as well as field any questions/concerns/requests from the Fellow.  

 Duties and responsibilities may include:

• recruiting tasks; such as responding to prospective players’ communications, organizing campus visits, making calls, contacting coaches
• leading certain drills or sections of practice
• planning certain drills or sections of practice
• scouting
• video breakdown
• administrative details such as picking up issue food, confirming travel plans, game or practice scheduling, communications with the team
• organizing fundraising
• coordinating team “gear” orders
• equipment set up, clean up, or maintenance

Coaches are also encouraged to address issues such as:

• expected work hours during the season
• vacation time and/or what is an acceptable excuse for missing a practice/game
• proper work attire
• a general outline of how practices are conducted, and the coaches’ expectations from players and/or other coaches during practice
• game etiquette as dictated by the rules of the sport and by the head coach
• a general explanation of the head coach’s personal coaching philosophy

Also, this meeting will be a time for the Hitchcock Fellow to address any special interests or areas in which he/she is especially hoping to learn or develop.

Hitchcock Fellowship Application Process

• Interested students may arrange a meeting with the Senior Woman Administrator before submitting a cover letter and resume to find out more about the position and/or details of application process.  Also, students may contact the current Hitchcock Fellow with any questions.

• Application Timeline:
1. Job announcement posted in first college notes of December
2. Submit cover letter, resume, and three preferred interview dates to Senior Woman Administrator by the second Friday of February
3. Applicant Departmental interviews deadline second Friday in March
4. Department decision and notification Wednesday before spring break 

• Senior Woman Administrator will contact applicant after receiving application to arrange a meeting.  In this meeting, she will outline the application process, including an explanation of the voting procedure; and answer any questions the applicant may have about the position or application process. The Senior Woman Administrator will have a checklist of important topics to cover (insuring that all applicants are given the same information), as well as handouts detailing the application process and position.
• The applicant will then submit his/her cover letter, resume, and three preferred interview dates to all the voting members of the Athletic Department, either in person or through campus mail. (The applicant may also hand deliver the information to coaches’ mail boxes. See Athletic Dept. Front Office for details)

• The interview process: The applicant will attend three interview sessions, arranged according to the dates he/she has previously submitted, with various members of the Department.  During these sessions (approximately one half hour each), the Senior Woman Administrator will act as a moderator, and the applicant will field questions posed by Department members.  Coaches may attend only one of the three sessions.  If a coach is unable to attend any of the sessions, they may submit a request for an excused absence to the Senior Woman Administrator.  The Senior Woman Administrator will keep attendance and provide the applicant with a list of members who may not be available to attend one of the three sessions.  In such a case, the applicant is expected to arrange individual meetings with the absent members.  The applicant should approach these interviews with the professionalism expected of a job interview.  Please dress accordingly. The applicant is also encouraged to use these interviews as a time to explore what his/her role would be within a program that he/she would like to assist the following year. 

• After a decision is made, the chosen applicant will be notified immediately and given 24 hours to accept the position of Hitchcock Fellow. Applicants not chosen will be notified by mail within 24 hours of the selected applicant’s decision.