Fort Lewis College Athletics

Fort Lewis College athletics would like to thank Mammoth Sports Consulting for its diligent efforts and guidance in the creation of our strategic plan.

A Message from Director of Athletics Travis Whipple

A new era of Fort Lewis College Athletics has begun. One dedicated to honoring a proud past while building a program of excellence for the future. A program committed to GRIT or Greatness, Respect, Innovation, and Tradition with a mission of graduating champions. 

Our program will always put the student-athlete experience at the center while preparing those involved to be successful in life. That means in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. 

Over the past year, we have worked diligently with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, institution, partners, supporters, and fans to develop our way forward. We invite you to review our plans and become fully immersed in the excitement of Fort Lewis College Athletics. 

I firmly believe that now is the time. The time to strategically take the program to new heights. To strive to be the best we can be, emphasizing continuous improvement. To serve as a rallying point and area of pride for all constituents while soaring TO THE TOP! 

Go Skyhawks!

Travis Whipple

Director of Athletics, Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College Athletics is dedicated to graduating champions with GRIT while mentoring, supporting, and helping develop educated, caring, well-rounded, productive citizens who are highly employable and equipped to succeed in life. 

The Skyhawks are committed to GRIT or the ability to preserve, overcome and move forward in spite of challenges or obstacles that might arise. GRIT also breaks down into a set of core values for the department - Greatness, Respect, Innovation, and Tradition. 

Fort Lewis College also seeks to build a program of excellence that takes the Skyhawks #ToTheTop. FLC Athletics will serve as a rallying point and area of pride for all constituents creating a vibrant campus experience. The Skyhawks will accomplish this by instilling the following areas of focus.

1. STUDENT-ATHLETES AT THE CENTER

The Skyhawks will support the College mission by putting student-athletes at the center and continuing to enhance the experience for all involved. This portion of the plan will include key areas such as: 

• Continued offerings of a robust Life Skills program
• Understanding the student-athlete experience through dialogue and surveys
• Placing an emphasis on GPA, retention, and graduation rates
• Focusing on being a leader in wellness, sports medicine, performance, mental health, and nutrition
• Establishing a network for internships, career readiness, and job placement
• Continuing transportation initiatives
• Providing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) education
• Promoting the success of the program
• Providing programming to attract indigenous students and Tribal Nations to athletic events
• Continuing to improve the competitiveness of teams

2. CONTRIBUTIONS TO GROWTH AND STABILITY OF THE COLLEGE

The Skyhawks will continue to grow enrollment and be a key campus partner while putting an emphasis on competitive excellence. This includes:

• Managing student-athlete enrollment and roster goals
• Enhancing facilities to enable and promote enrollment growth
• Producing increases in scholarship offerings
• Continuing to evaluate and consider growth opportunities
• Regularly discuss the plans in this section with Cabinet and key leaders to gain input and achieve continual support

3. COMPETITIVENESS AND IMPACT

The Skyhawks will compete annually for championships while enhancing the student-athlete experience. A key element of this section is orchestrating facility enhancements and a master facility plan that aligns with the overall College plan. This area of focus will also include:  

• Win percentage and RMAC All-Sports Cup goals
• Operating budgets
• Multi-year scholarship plans
• Retention and hiring of high-caliber talent
• Professional development
• Improved outreach to Durango and the Four Corners region
• Enhanced fundraising and community connections
• Alumni relations with an emphasis on former student-athletes

4. OPTIMAL DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS 

The Skyhawks strive to be a program of excellence that remains in alignment with the College while creating an enhanced athletics culture, school spirit, and traditions. Key initiatives in this section include:

• Advancing and supporting FLC's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Innovative solutions for personnel growth
• Departmental policies and procedures
• Student-athlete code of conduct
• Industry standards in compliance
• Enhanced campus integration