University of Iowa appoints new athletics rep

The University of Iowa has a new 'faculty athletics representative” to, among other things, advise the president on athletics issues, monitor compliance with student-athlete eligibility rules, and serve as the institution's voice at national meetings and conferences.

The university has two faculty members serving as athletics representatives, and David Drake, a microbiology professor in the UI College of Dentistry, will fill one of the spots being vacated with UI engineering professor Gene Parkin's retirement. Drake will join UI education professor Ellie Herman, who has been a UI athletics representative since 2011.

The NCAA requires member institutions to appoint at least one representative and outline duties. Some duties recommended by the national Faculty Athletics Representative Association include ensuring student-athletes meet eligibility requirements to practice, receive financial aid, and compete; arranging for statistical reports on student-athlete academic preparation and performance; and facilitating the development of a student-athlete advisory committee.

More broadly, the representatives advise the president, represent the university to the NCAA, interpret conference legislation to the university, and help the president and athletics director determine institutional positions on proposed NCAA and conference legislation.

'I'm very very much interested in the welfare of the student athletes in terms of their education and time commitment,” Drake told The Gazette. 'We call them student-athletes, but quite frankly they are students who happen to be athletes. We fully realize the constraints they are under, and we want to work on behalf of the faculty and administration to ensure the best potential education outcomes.”

The UI athletics department, according to its most recent academic achievement figures, boasts a 78 percent federal graduation rate - 12 points better than national peers. It also has a record NCAA graduation success rate of 89 percent, six points better than national peers. Seven UI sports teams have 100 percent graduation success rates, and 18 teams are better than their national peers.

Drake, who officially will take over for Parkin on July 1, said he's been transitioning into his new role by meeting with athletics officials and coaches.

'I can tell you I'm impressed with what I've seen from the many coaches I've interacted with on their level of devotion for the well-being of the students,” Drake said. 'We have a very very good system here at Iowa.”

The faculty athletics representatives at Iowa do not have limited terms, and Drake said the job does come with some compensation as it's a significant time commitment that comes with extensive travel. Specific levels of compensation for the position were not made available Friday.

Past representatives include Elizabeth Altmaier, a psychology professor who served in the role for more than a decade until 2011.

In a news release, outgoing UI President Sally Mason thanked Parkin for his service to the institution 'and his advocacy on behalf of our student athletes, academic programs, and our university.”

'Our ‘philosophy of win, graduate, and do it right' encapsulates what we expect from our student athletes in the classroom as well as on the field,” Mason said. 'This is why I am so pleased to have David Drake step into this important role with Ellie Herman.”

Drake has been at the university for nearly 28 years and has conducted research funded by the National Institutes of Health. His past service to the university is extensive, according to UI News Service, and he has served on various campus and national committees - including as Faculty Senate president from 2009 to 2010.

From 2011 to 2013, Drake served as senior associate to Mason and recently served as presiding officer of the Judicial Commission from 2013 to 2015.

'This is going to be some extra work, but I'm experienced at doing that,” Drake said.