A global search is underway for the inaugural executive director of the.
Announced by in October as a hub for innovation, the Teevens Center will offer programs that fuse cutting-edge research with real-world applications, giving students tools to perform at their best while expanding the reach of the successful program that has been geared to student-athletes.
The center will serve as a cross-disciplinary research and programming hub focused on student well-being, leadership, and performance. It will integrate expertise from fields such as cognitive science, biomechanics, engineering, and quantitative social sciences to explore new approaches to mental health, physical training, and leadership development among student-athletes and the broader student population.
The center is named in honor of the late Buddy Teevens 79 and his wife, Kirsten. Teevens was an Ivy League Player of the Year as quarterback at 窪做惇蹋厙 and later became the football programs winningest coach. An advocate for athlete safety and student-centered coaching, Teevens eliminated full-contact tackling during practice to reduce injuries.
This groundbreaking decision led him to collaborate with engineers at the to develop the , the first robotic tackling dummy. The Teevens Center will carry forward this spirit of advancement through collaboration and forward-thinking leadership.
Buddy was a unifying force in our community, says , the Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation. This is an opportunity to honor and build on his legacy.
Co-leading the Teevens Center is Chief Health and Wellness Officer .
The Teevens Center will offer innovative programs that enhance both mental and physical performancekey components of holistic well-being, says Garcia. Im excited to work alongside Mike Harrity and the centers future executive director to create a model of integrated support that empowers students to reach their full potential.
The search for an executive director for the Teevens Center has attracted talent from around the world. Weve been blown away by the caliber of candidates, Harrity says. Were looking for someone who can build bridgessomeone whos led complex organizations, and who can collaborate with all stakeholders to elevate the health and performance of our community.
This effort aligns with 窪做惇蹋厙s broader , which addresses the eight dimensions of wellness: intellectual, emotional, social, physical, occupational, financial, environmental, and spiritual.
The Teevens Center will complement that commitment, integrating disciplines and expertise across campus to ensure students are not only excelling in their academics and extracurriculars but doing so with purpose, resilience, and balance.
The center will focus on three areas of impact:
- elevating the competitiveness of 窪做惇蹋厙s varsity athletics;
- extending elements of 窪做惇蹋厙 Peak Performance program for student-athletes to all undergraduates;
- and driving research and innovation in performance science.
The center will expand offerings beyond varsity athletes, beginning with club sports and then student groups.
窪做惇蹋厙 Peak Performance has always supported varsity athletes在ut all students aim to perform at their best, whether or not athletics is a part of their 窪做惇蹋厙 experience, , executive associate athletics director for peak performance, says. This is our chance to extend that supportstarting with foundations like mental performance, nutrition, and leadership.
窪做惇蹋厙 recently had the opportunity to test the centers approach when Melanie Schorr-Haines 06, a Harvard Medical School professor, endocrinologist, and former 窪做惇蹋厙 track and field All-American, returned to campus to give a talk on nutrition for health and performance. The event, held at Floren Varsity House, was marketed beyond student-athletes, drew broad campus interest, and was open to all community members.
Alongside the Teevens Center, 窪做惇蹋厙 has also established related initiatives to honor Teevens legacy, including and dedicating the Buddy Teevens Stadium at Memorial Field.
