{"id":19976,"date":"2026-03-12T11:17:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T15:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=19976"},"modified":"2026-03-12T15:22:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T19:22:33","slug":"wilmu-one-on-one-dr-matt-wilson-discusses-leading-the-ncaas-faculty-athletics-representatives-association","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/12\/wilmu-one-on-one-dr-matt-wilson-discusses-leading-the-ncaas-faculty-athletics-representatives-association\/","title":{"rendered":"WilmU\u00a0One-on-One:\u00a0Dr. Matt Wilson\u00a0Discusses Leading\u00a0the\u00a0NCAA\u2019s\u00a0Faculty Athletics Representatives Association\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19976_ceccf5-e1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84\"]{font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:500;font-style:italic;font-family:proxima-nova;color:#808080;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84 wu-subheading wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19976_a913f2-84\"><strong>Dr. Matt Wilson&#8217;s<\/strong> commitment to student-athletes extends beyond Wilmington University <em>\u2014<\/em> as president of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaafara.org\/\">Faculty Athletics Representatives Association<\/a> within the NCAA, he&#8217;s an advocate on the national stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Dr. Wilson serves as a director and professor in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/education\/indexe.aspx\">College of Education and Liberal Arts<\/a> and holds an Ed.D in Higher Education leadership and Innovation from the University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. Congratulations on your new role! Can you tell us what leading the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association entails and what it means to you personally?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Serving as&nbsp;president of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA) is both an honor and a responsibility. Our organization&nbsp;represents&nbsp;Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) from institutions across the country who work at the intersection of academics,&nbsp;athletics&nbsp;and student well-being. In this role, I help guide national conversations with the NCAA about academic integrity, student-athlete welfare,&nbsp;eligibility&nbsp;and the evolving landscape of college sports.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Personally, it means advocating for the idea that athletics is part of higher education,&nbsp;not separate from it. My career has always centered on students first, and this role allows me to help shape policies and initiatives that ensure student-athletes graduate prepared for life after competition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. How do FARs help bridge academics and athletics, and how does&nbsp;WilmU&nbsp;strike that balance for its&nbsp;student-athletes?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>FARs are translators between two cultures that sometimes&nbsp;operate&nbsp;at different speeds \u2014 the classroom and the competition schedule. We make sure academic standards are upheld,&nbsp;monitor&nbsp;eligibility, support academic&nbsp;progress&nbsp;and advocate for reasonable demands on student-athletes\u2019 time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Wilmington University, that balance works because flexibility is built into the institutional culture. Many of our students are already working professionals, parents or military&nbsp;affiliated, so supporting student-athletes fits naturally into our model. Coaches,&nbsp;faculty&nbsp;and athletic advisors communicate regularly. The message is consistent:&nbsp;Your jersey matters, but your degree and life goals matter more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q.&nbsp;What is the biggest challenge student-athletes face today, and how do FARs help them navigate it?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of our biggest challenges is managing identity in a rapidly changing collegiate athletics environment. Opportunities include transfer rules, social media pressures and time demands. Student-athletes are competitors, students, brand managers and young adults planning careers all at once. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>FARs provide&nbsp;perspective. We help students understand long-term implications, prioritize&nbsp;academics&nbsp;and connect them with campus resources. Sometimes our most&nbsp;important role&nbsp;is simply being the biggest cheerleader,&nbsp;not just&nbsp;on&nbsp;the field or classroom but in their lives.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q.&nbsp;Given the increasing complexity of college sports, how is the FAR role evolving?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Historically, FARs focused heavily on eligibility certification and academic oversight. Today the role is much broader: compliance education, mental health advocacy, NIL&nbsp;(name,&nbsp;image&nbsp;and&nbsp;likeness)&nbsp;and transfer guidance, helping coaches understand academic expectations, and policy consultation with the NCAA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re&nbsp;becoming campus stewards and student advocates in addition to academic representatives. As college athletics grows more complex, the FAR\u2019s job is to keep decision-making grounded in educational values, student&nbsp;development&nbsp;and long-term success beyond competition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd{margin-top:0em;margin-bottom:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd{border-top:1px solid #db1313;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd{border-top:1px solid #db1313;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id19976_cb3927-bd alignnone FULL wu-blockquote-row wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);}.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19976_c41b5e-39 kb-section-dir-vertical\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote wu-blockquote-simple wp-container-content-9cfa9a5a is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<p>We\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0just talk about access and\u00a0opportunity. We live it and provide it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 Dr. Matt Wilson<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q.&nbsp;How are&nbsp;WilmU&nbsp;student-athletes&nbsp;engaged in the community?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the defining characteristics of Wilmington University&nbsp;student-athletes&nbsp;is that many are already actively building their careers. They are working jobs, completing&nbsp;internships&nbsp;and gaining entry-level professional experience while competing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many are also involved in service activities and campus initiatives, which help them build empathy, collaboration&nbsp;skills&nbsp;and an understanding of diverse perspectives. Our teams&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in youth clinics, local community visits (like&nbsp;Nemours Children\u2019s Hospital), food&nbsp;drives&nbsp;and community partnerships throughout the state.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through those experiences, combined with their academic coursework and athletic participation, they develop durable career skills that employers consistently value. In the workplace, they learn accountability, communication and professionalism. In the classroom, they strengthen critical thinking, problem-solving and technical knowledge within their fields of study. As student-athletes, they practice teamwork, leadership, resilience and performing under pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;just learn in the classroom or in their&nbsp;sport;&nbsp;they learn by contributing to the communities they are part of, understanding that professional growth and caring for others go hand in hand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q. What exciting things can&nbsp;WilmU&nbsp;Athletics fans look forward to this spring?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Spring is one of the most energetic seasons for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/wildcats.athletics.wilmu.edu\/landing\/index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WilmU&nbsp;Athletics<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 baseball, lacrosse,&nbsp;track&nbsp;and softball seasons&nbsp;underway;&nbsp;tennis and golf continue competing;&nbsp;all pushing toward conference championships and national tournament appearances. Our&nbsp;student-athletes&nbsp;compete intensely while&nbsp;representing&nbsp;the&nbsp;University with integrity and professionalism.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;an environment where you can watch great&nbsp;competition&nbsp;and feel proud of how the game is played.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Q.&nbsp;What do you love about&nbsp;WilmU?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WilmU&nbsp;meets students&nbsp;where they&nbsp;are&nbsp;academically and personally. Our students are&nbsp;determined, often balancing careers,&nbsp;families&nbsp;and education, and that creates a culture of respect and purpose.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What I love most is authenticity. We&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;just talk about access and&nbsp;opportunity. We live it and provide it. And athletics&nbsp;fits&nbsp;perfectly within that mission: helping students grow,&nbsp;graduate&nbsp;and succeed long after the final competition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id19976_1a5884-4a{margin-top:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id19976_1a5884-4a > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id19976_1a5884-4a > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id19976_1a5884-4a > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:0em;padding-right:0em;padding-bottom:0em;padding-left:0em;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id19976_1a5884-4a{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid 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.kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);}.kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}.kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 figure.image-is-svg {-webkit-margin-after: 1em;  margin-block-end: 1em;}img[src$=\".svg\"] {  max-width: 220px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19976_0dfe6f-70 kb-section-dir-horizontal wu-img-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image19976_2751d8-b6:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image19976_2751d8-b6.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-image19976_2751d8-b6 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image19976_2751d8-b6 image-is-svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/wilmu-cta-logo-wu.svg\" alt=\"Wilm U post footer logo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-17727\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column19976_5df753-4a{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#eeeeee;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column19976_5df753-4a{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column19976_5df753-4a{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}.kt-row-column-wrap &gt; .wp-block-kadence-column {align-self: stretch;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a &gt; div {  padding-block: 1em;}.kadence-column19976_5df753-4a p:last-of-type {  -webkit-margin-after: 0;  margin-block-end: 0;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19976_5df753-4a kb-section-dir-vertical wu-text-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p style=\"font-size:1rem\"><em>At&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/wildcats.athletics.wilmu.edu\/landing\/index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>WilmU Athletics<\/em><\/a><em>,&nbsp;you can learn more about the University&#8217;s 16 NCAA Division II teams,&nbsp;read&nbsp;sports news, and find schedules and rosters.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Matt Wilson&#8217;s commitment to student-athletes extends beyond Wilmington University \u2014 as president of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association within the NCAA, he&#8217;s an advocate&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":19982,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[163,143],"tags":[98,187,14,15,988],"class_list":["post-19976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifewilmu","category-sports","tag-athletics","tag-college-of-education-and-liberal-arts","tag-wilmington-university","tag-wilmu","tag-wilmu-one-on-one"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":163,"label":"LIFE@WILMU"},{"value":143,"label":"SPORTS"}],"post_tag":[{"value":98,"label":"Athletics"},{"value":187,"label":"College 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