Last Look: Suggestions and Recommendations

Before I finally set sail to another unknown venture; allow me share some points on how we can become a power house in sports. Given that our institution has excelled in academics and in other priority areas like Community Extension Services and Research, there is a need now to give chance to sports. I hope this could be of help to the next person who will spearhead the program of the institution.

1. Alumni Support- we have established to a certain degree a good relationship with some alumni of the institution. But there are still lots of things to be done until the alumni association fully supports the sports program of Sacred Heart College. The presence of the alumni association in the field of sports has been proven vital in order to achieve supremacy. Take for example the a true to life movie entitled "The Blind Side." (watch it for yourself, I will not be giving a gist). They can be of help by simply sending some funds to sustain whatever we have stored or planned for our athletes. They can provide our institution with manpower needed to beef-up our roster of athletes. They can also assist us with necessary aid such as but not limited to sports equipment, trainers and coaches and necessary linkages. All we need to do is draw out a plan to involve our alumni because they are very much willing to work. All they need is a little encouragement. A good example of a program is the Hermana Fausta Cup "Alumni Basketball Cup" which has been running for two straight consecutive years despite odds. The next person to spearhead the program should now include other indoor games which can be played during off season.
2. A Person and an Office- I was just wondering, we want to excel in sports but we do not have an office and an appointed person who will really oversee the implementation of the program. In almost all Colleges and Universities in Manila, a specific office/officer takes care of the concern of athletes. Without a point person, we cannot just blame anyone if our program fails. Do not be afraid to spare some money for honorarium, there are lots of personnel in our institution who are very dedicated in/to SPORTS. They can thrive without the honorarium. But of course, an honorarium for the work done is advisable.
3. Support from the Administration-I think everybody understands the reason why I included it in the list of things one should do. Without the support and even understanding of the administration, everything else will crumble. Nothing will happen without their willingness and conviction that sports can also bring enrollees to our institution. Convince the administration that sports is important and then after convincing them lead them to help you achieve the goals one set for the institution.
4. Inform the Parents- I have seen the power and influence of the Parents' Association. They will do everything for their children. Ask for their help and they will surely come to help us. Parents like the alumni association can be the differentiating force that will determine whether our institution can excel in sports.
5. Orient the teachers on their role-to excel in sports, we cannot simply put the whole task to a single/group of persons. Not even all PE teachers can do it. We need a more dynamic role coming from the teachers. A little encouragement from teachers/professors can bring out the best among our athletes. A little understanding from them would spell much to our athletes. I still dream of this.
6. Allot funds for scholarship- a balance between academic life and sports in our institution can spell a big difference. However, since many promising athletes came from towns which are shall I say very far from our institution, assistance to these would-be athletes in the form of scholarship and allowance grants can bring more promising athletes in the College Department.
7. Evaluate the Program- A program has been created and finalized by the committee. We now need to implement and evaluate the program and propose changes as needs arise

There are still lots of things that we need to do. But for now, we can just focus on these areas. Good Luck.