Jan. 30, 2007

~ By CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY, Albany Times Union Staff writer First published: Monday, Januaray 29, 2007

COLONIE -- Lisa Reilly moved 3,000 miles away from home to attend Siena College and play water polo.

The junior transfer student from California crams her week with six classes, four practice sessions in the pool, a few trips to the weight room and six hours of study hall that's required for all freshman athletes and transfer students.

"I was a little sleep deprived," Reilly said.

So she turned to her mentor for help.

As Siena recruiters reach farther across the country to find talented athletes, the college's retention rates have fallen, said Joyce Eggleston, associate athletic director. The students are far from home, adjusting to tougher classes and competing for a place on their team.

The basketball squad, in particular, lost a handful of players and dropped to an 81 percent retention rate, Eggleston said. Six of 18 sports still have 100 percent retention rates, but administrators were worried enough to do something.

This year, Siena launched a mentoring program for 30 freshman and transfer athletes to help them survive their first few semesters on campus.

"If you get them through the first year, you're likely to keep them," Eggleston said.

The mentors, all volunteers, are staff members and coaches from the athletic department. Thirty of the 90 incoming freshmen and transfer students participate in the program. All are on full or partial scholarships. Walk-on students were not considered for the program, because "they don't have as much at stake," Eggleston said.

Reilly's mentor, Jason Rich, the director of sports information, helped Reilly create a weekly schedule that allowed time for naps. He also questioned her about her classes, exams and any problem she wanted to discuss.

"He's objective and he has a different perspective on things," said Reilly, an English major from Mount San Antonio, Calif.

The mentors each oversee three students, and they meet with them every other week. The focus is on academics, but inevitably the conversations turn to other issues, like fights with roommates, feelings of homesickness or worries over how much playing time they will get on their team.

"I find it's a lot like being a parent," said Eggleston, who is a mentor. "You know there might be more information that you'd like to hear, but you don't want to be asking all the questions."

Ellen Howe, the assistant water polo coach and Life Skills coordinator, supervises the program. Howe played water polo at Villanova, where every incoming freshman is assigned a mentor.

The key for mentors, Howe said, is listening.

Steve Karbowski, head coach of the women's soccer team, keeps his door open so his students can stop by anytime. Karbowski recalls his first college experience at the University at Buffalo. The school was too big for him and he transferred to Siena.

The mentors are not psychologists, Karbowski said, but they can share their own experiences.