By Dane Lyons \/\/ <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College Athletics has entered a new academic year with changes to its programs, staff initiatives and donor engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The summer every college student looks forward to means something different when you work in an athletics department. The 90 days of vacation, planning and relaxation most students get to enjoy are replaced with meetings, job interviews, and preparations for an intensive, competitive year of sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the addition of 154 student-athletes, including incoming first-year students, transfers and graduate assistants, making a good first impression is important to set the tone for the academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College Athletics kicked off the fall 2026 semester with its annual \u201cWelcome Back Night,\u201d hosting 25 staff members and all 400 student-athletes. The itinerary featured staff introductions and four guest speakers, including alumnus Jared Young \u201919 and Special Olympian Adam Hayes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All student-athletes and staff members attending the event received a Hood College Athletics T-shirt unique to that year. Director of Athletics Susan Kolb began the night by discussing the new design she created and how it represents the Hood College Blazer identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnlike the UC Santa Barbara banana slugs or the Stanford tree, having a Blazer as a mascot should really make you proud,\u201d Kolb said. \u201cI wanted to include a full image of the horse on the back of the shirt to show that all of us make up the Hood College athlete identity, every part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The theme for the night was \u201cHelp the Bear,\u201d a phrase coined by guest speaker Curtis Johnson, a disabled veteran and Frederick community member who has experienced lower-extremity paralysis for the past seven years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The phrase came from Johnson\u2019s support team, which helps him through his recovery and daily life. Johnson explained that if he were ever faced with a challenge comparable to battling a bear, his support network would be there to \u201chelp the bear,\u201d because the bear would be outnumbered in the fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johnson went on to discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with a network of people who are ready to fight for you, a mentality he said athletes can carry both on and off the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College Athletics, in partnership with new Director of Health and Wellness Samantha Capacillo, began a once-a-month series of discussions centered around student-athlete development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt gives us an opportunity to address important developmental opportunities, not just in the weight room,\u201d Kolb said. \u201cConcepts of time management, hydration, sleep and injury prevention, these are all things athletes need to be knowledgeable of in order to bridge the gap to the next level and be successful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first topic was presented by the JB27 Foundation. The foundation discussed the importance of community during times of change and how having a stable network of peers can help people feel less alone. More presentation dates will be announced as the semester continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Concluding the slate of changes to the athletics department was the renaming of the Hood College Athletics booster club from the \u201cBlue & Grey Club\u201d to \u201cThe Blazer Club,\u201d along with the announcement of a student-athlete campaign running throughout September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the implementation of new fiscal policies on July 1, recent alumni and donors to Hood College Athletics can choose a specific designation when donating to support a varsity team. The four categories are general, travel, special events and equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe felt with a fresh purpose and designation when donating, alums should be honored with a new club name, and different donation status rankings,\u201d Kolb said. \u201cOur hope is to have a greater impact on fan engagement and season partnerships with alumni.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The student-athlete campaign for donations began with the first home games of the fall season Tuesday, Sept. 1. An event was held in the hospitality suite to host donors, introduce them to the benefits of their donation level and honor them for their support of the institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event set the foundation for upcoming partnerships and events that Hood College Athletics hopes will strengthen its relationship with donors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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