The Leader in Small College Athletics Professional Development
Blog Post
Collected Wisdom - Sharief Hashim
Jim Abbott • Dec 01, 2020
Insights from Small College Athletic Administrators - Interviewed November, 2020
Collected Wisdom is a series of interviews that features insights from prominent Small College Athletic Administrators around the country. Our thanks to Sharief Hashim, Athletic Director at Susquehanna University for sharing his thoughts and insights this week.
How did you get started in College Athletics?
I spent fourteen years coaching high school basketball in Montgomery County, MD., just outside of Washington, D.C. I spent a few years as an assistant coach at Walt Whitman HS where I coached Dan Engelstad, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Mount St. Mary’s University. Spring 2013, Dan was hired as the Head Coach at Southern Vermont College in Bennington, Vermont. I was the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Wheaton HS (MD) at the time and Dan called me looking for players from the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia). I rented a van and drove up 9 recruits, including a couple of my players. Proud to say five of the guys who made that trip attended and graduated from the college, including one of my former players. A year after the van trip, I was hired as the Head Men’s JV Basketball Coach, Athletics Liaison and Admissions Counselor at the college. We won a ton of games and I recruited athletes and non-athletes for the admissions department. I was hired as the interim AD in 2016. The administration removed the interim tag in June 2017.
You started your position as Athletic Director at Susquehanna in the midst of the COVID 19 Pandemic? What was that like and how did you go about getting to know your staff and getting integrated on campus?
The pandemic has been challenging for everyone as we’ve grown accustomed to quarantine and virtual life. I was actually interviewing with Susquehanna (SU) and another university the same week, totaling 18 hours of zoom meetings over three days in addition to my work schedule. I tried to have fun with it and thankfully landed at SU.
Physically moving my furniture, etc., from Potsdam, NY went well and settling in central Pennsylvania has been great. Everyone I’ve met throughout the campus community has been very welcoming! As I was unloading the U-Haul (I’m temporarily living on campus) multiple staff including President Green stopped by to offer their help or give me a welcome gift.
As we know in college athletics, the first 100 days are essential in transitioning to a new role or new institution. Obviously, the pandemic created challenges in meeting staff and faculty. I was able to meet individually via zoom with the athletics staff but once we were allowed to work on campus, the relationship building improved.
We had a staggered start to the fall. First year students, seniors and lastly, sophomores and juniors were allowed to arrive to campus over the first month of the semester. The lack of athletics events and the staggered arrival hasn’t allowed me to interact with student athletes consistently but I feel I’ve connected well with our coaches, staff and a few individual students.
Lastly, I’ve built relationships with other faculty and staff. Our Chief of Diversity & Inclusion, Michael Dixon and Vice President of Enrollment Management, DJ Menifee have been here a year or less as well. They’ve been great friends and we’ve leaned on each other through our shared experiences.
Talk about your experience in general of leading an athletic department during a pandemic? What challenges have you faced and what have become your top priorities?
Control what we can control. Stoicism is important to leading a department during a pandemic. There’s no blueprint for what we’re enduring in college athletics and as a country. It’s important to stay as balanced as possible emotionally. I think it’s important we remain resilient and empathetic to the needs of our staff and student athletes.
In July, our conference (Landmark), announced we wouldn’t have fall sports. Students were understandably upset but in my opinion they’ve dealt well with the adversity.
We’ve facilitated in-person instruction all semester. Eighty percent of our students chose to live on campus, including eighty-five percent of our student athletes. The staggered return allowed our campus community to ease into the new normal. We were able to maintain a full supply of PPE, tests and spaces for quarantined students. Our positive numbers remained on the low end thru the end of October at 14 cases for the semester. Like much of the country, we saw an uptick after Halloween but it’s taught us some valuable lessons moving into next semester.
We’ve worked hard to plan athletically related workouts and essentially develop a new curriculum for practice planning. Our coaches and staff have also led the testing procedures for our campus community. Athletic trainers administer the Covid19 tests and coaches and staff have completed data entry and social distancing efforts for our testing procedures. Coaches and staff have also worked temperature check stations as part of their work schedules. I’m very proud of the togetherness and spirit our coaches have staff have shown in supporting our students and the campus community. I’m blessed to be working with such a committed group of professionals!
Top priorities have included facilities management and working with conference AD’s and the commissioner to plan winter sports.
The potential for the second wave of the pandemic this winter presents a significant challenge for our conference and winter sports programs. I remain optimistic we’ll find a way to allow our student athletes to compete!
You have worked at both state institutions and private institutions. What are the primary differences between the two?
Great question. The perception that you can get things done quickly at a private institution, as opposed to a public institution can be true. Private institutions may have less bureaucracy and often enough it takes one person to approve a purchase requisition or new initiative. The chain of command mindset and unionized culture at public institutions is are significant differences between the two types of organizations.
I’ve found that employees at private institutions are more willing to volunteer to take on new tasks and responsibilities during or outside their working hours. While unionized employees may be equally hard working, they may also be a bit hesitant to take on a task outside their specific job description. Fortunately, I’ve had the pleasure of working with committed coaches and athletics staff at institutions that have great traditions and excellent student athletes.
You have worked in a wide variety of roles in your past. Talk about how being versatile has shaped your experience and the need in general for versatility in small college athletics.
Thank you… I think my background has provided me the experience to work with anyone. I’ve worked in high school class rooms as a special education assistant, and coached high school and college basketball. I’ve also held various roles in college admissions which has shaped my athletics recruiting and enrollment management perspective. However, working as a recreation specialist for a local municipality outside of Washington, D.C., allowed me to develop problem solving, programming and mediation skills that have translated well to college athletics administration. Building relationships with teachers, administrators, law enforcement and county officials helped me build professional confidence and management skills.
Not counting COVID 19, what are the biggest challenges that you face as a small college athletic administrator?
Fortunately, our administration has made excellent fiscal decisions over the years. We’re in a good place despite the pandemic. I’m relatively new to the university but there are a few challenges I’m hoping to address in the short and long term. We want to enhance the student athlete experience by upgrading locker rooms and facility spaces. Additionally, assistant coaching salaries and head coach secondary duties are areas of concern that we would like to enhance.
As AD, I’m also part of the student affairs team. Administering club sports, recreation and intramurals are part of my responsibilities. It’s challenging but I would like to address branding, marketing and recruiting prospective students to these programs. Generally, supporting these programs can enrich wellness, fitness and mental health opportunities for students in our campus community.
Many schools are relying more on athletics to positively contribute to campus enrollment. What are the expectations for your department at Susquehanna in terms of enrollment and how do you manage this?
Athletics is integral to enrollment management at SU. We work closely with admissions staff to provide a great experience to recruits visiting the campus and considering the university.
Twenty-five percent of our students are student athletes. Depending on the year, student athletes make up thirty-five to forty percent of our Sigmund Weis School of Business students. Our retention and graduation rates are above average and students enjoy a premium experience attending Susquehanna.
We have a group of talented and hardworking coaches who do a great job recruiting regionally. I believe our excellent academics, beautiful campus, and strong athletics programs make us very marketable to prospective student athletes. As I continue to learn more about our programs, I anticipate assessing strategic recruiting, specifically out-of-state. I believe in giving coaches the space and reasonable expectations to recruit effectively. I’ll be supportive in exploring new recruiting regions or improving the talent level of specific athletic programs when necessary.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy supporting student athletes, specifically watching them compete. Not being able to attend games has been tough. Until this year, I hadn’t had a semester without competing as a coach or athletic director in years. Cheering for student athletes during competition is something I enjoy greatly.
However, leadership development is a favorite part of my job. I’ve tried to work closely with the student athletes advisory committee (SAAC) at my institutions. I’m very impressed by the SAAC executive committee hear at Susquehanna. I’ve had opportunities to also build relationships with SGA, and a few student athletes. At previous institutions I’ve led workshops on social justice issues, principles of leadership and group dynamics. I’ve also sat in on a couple of academic classes, which is always fun.
You have participated in both the D3 Administrative Advancement program and the Business of Small College Athletics. Talk about these professional development opportunities and your view on professional development in general.
When I was appointed to interim AD at Southern Vermont in 2014, I was confident that I understood general management principles but I believed I had to work quickly to learn more about college athletics administration. I believe programs like BOSCA and the D3 Administrative Institute have helped to accelerate the learning curve.
These and similar professional development programs have allowed me to network and meet people in the business. “All good coaches borrow ideas!” I’ve asked questions and shared ideas with friends and colleagues I respect greatly. Previously, I’ve been able to tap into my network when I’ve posted job opportunities. It feels good to know I can reach out to administrators I trust. I’ve been able to improve the diversity and talent of the search pool, for a few vacant coaching positions I’ve filled over the years. BOSCA specifically, has also helped me grow as an athletics fundraiser.
What advice do you have for young people that are looking to start a career in college athletics?
Treat people the way you want to be treated. Pursue all professional opportunities, whether you believe you’re qualified or not. The only shot you miss is the shot you don’t take. Don’t be afraid to move to rural or less diverse areas of the country for a job opportunity. Getting outside on your comfort zone can help your personal and professional development. Stay humble and ask questions. Favorite quote… “To See What is Right and Not Do it; is Lack of Courage” -Confucius
You are a member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA). How does your involvement with MOAA contribute to your career in Athletic Administration?
I’ve held positions in rural areas where I’ve been the only ethnic minority in most spaces. Obviously, I’ve had some successes professionally and enjoyed each university I’ve worked for and the places I’ve lived. MOAA has offered opportunities to build relationships with administrators who can relate well to my experiences as an administrator of color. MOAA has also offered general professional development opportunities and helped me grow as a leader. Currently, I’m a member of the MOAA Awards committee which has been a great experience.
What are your keys for managing your time? What do you enjoy away from the office?
Time management is something I’ve had to work on over the years. Organizing my calendar; keeping a journal, and writing to do lists are all good habits that have helped me greatly. Going to bed earlier, getting sufficient sleep and eating well have also helped my time management and self-care. I’m also pursuing a Doctorate of Education degree (EDD), so I have to maintain consistency to complete tasks effectively and manage my time well.
Spending time with my daughter and family in the DC area is something I enjoy away from work. The pandemic has presented some challenges but I’ve been able to travel to see family consistently. I enjoy shooting baskets, weight training and cardio to stay in relatively average shape My favorite hobby is cooking. I’m nowhere near an expert but I think I can burn a solid meal. I’m house hunting and looking forward to buying my first legitimate grill!
Thanks again for the opportunity to share a bit about myself. I appreciate BOSCA more than you know and will continue to support BOSCA programs and initiatives!