Join ORU Athletics every Friday in a weekly series featuring interviews with coaches and staff members.
10 Questions with Scott Williams, Senior Associate Athletic Director at Oral Roberts University:
- What was like to work from home, especially with four children?
It was great. We never experienced a dull moment. Between work obligations and helping the kids navigate the world of remote education, it was always hopping at our house. One thing Tammy and I learned is we are not going to home school our kids anytime soon. I grew up in a home with a mom as an educator so I have always had an appreciation for teachers. It was simply reinforced as I realized how little of my elementary and middle school education I have retained.
- How challenging is it to keep up with NCAA policies that change almost daily due to coronavirus precautions?
It hasn't been too crazy. Although we have experienced several changes, the NCAA's decision to shut down the off-campus recruiting process and limit on-campus activities for student-athletes provided a pause that allowed everyone to digest the changes and distribute them to coaches and student-athletes in a useful manner.
- What are the biggest challenges you are facing today?
The biggest challenge all of us are facing is the uncertainty that the pandemic has created. In this business, as I am sure it is in most businesses, things operate on a pretty standard calendar. What you did last June is what you do every June for the most part. The pandemic has created an element of the unknown that we have not had to deal with in our industry in recent memory. Will we have competition this fall? What will the financial impact be as we move forward, both short term and long term? Will we start and have to stop again? But the biggest challenge moving forward will be how to best serve our student-athletes in light of all this uncertainty.
- As it stands today, what are the parameters of student-athletes returning to campus?
Last week, the NCAA Council announced that student-athletes may return to campus this week (June 1) for voluntary activities. This means they can use our weight room to train and use our practice and competition facilities to work on the skills necessary to be successful in their sport. Coaches are not allowed to observe student-athlete participation in voluntary activities, other than strength coaches who may monitor the use of the weight room to ensure the safety and welfare of the student-athletes using the facility. The NCAA does permit football and basketball to conduct limited practice activities during the summer; however, they have suspended this activity until at least July 1.
- Soccer and volleyball will be first up in August. What visible changes do you see as it relates to the student-athlete experience?
At this point all I can provide is speculation, but I think the biggest changes the student-athletes will experience this fall will not occur on the practice fields or in competition itself. It will be what happens before and after these activities to ensure the safest environment for our student-athletes and their families, friends and fans that come out to support them. Will we have fans in the stands? If we do, how much will we have to limit capacity to maintain social distancing? When we travel, will we have to isolate ourselves at the hotel and limit some of the movement of our student-athletes on the road? What types of procedures will we have to put in place to clear student-athletes and officials for competition? These are just a few of the questions that everyone in our business are looking at and seeking advisement from experts in this area.
- Things are very unsettled in certain parts of the world. How might those conditions affect international student-athletes returning to campus?
This is a primary area of concern for our student-athletes and campus as a whole. Our campus enrollment is made up of approximately 20% international students and the percentage of our international student-athletes is even a little higher. If these students are not allowed to return to the United States to study and continue participation this upcoming semester and/or year it will have a significant impact on these students' educational progression, not to mention the impact it will have on our programs.
- When you hear schools that sponsor football are planning to kick off with full stadiums, does that inspire you or do you question those statements?
At this point I question any definitive statement made by individuals in our industry about these type of matters. As I mentioned earlier, there are too many unknowns. I believe that you have to plan for the various contingencies that may exist for fan experiences this fall, but no one, not even the experts, can say with certainty what this will look like come fall. We're still trying to determine if fall competition is going to occur.
- How much credit should go to our coaches for recruiting around all of the obstacles put in place by the pandemic?
I think they have done a fantastic job of adjusting to the changes that the pandemic has brought about. We learn a lot about ourselves when presented with challenges. I have been so impressed with the way ORU students, faculty, administration, staff and coaches have responded to the changes that were thrust upon us during spring break. Although I will say we are better prepared for this at ORU because of our emphasis on Spiritual Development that runs through the core of all that we do. When your house is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ you can withstand all that is thrown at you.
- What lasting changes do you foresee as it relates to NCAA compliance issues from the pandemic?
I don't know that the pandemic itself will create lasting change. We have already experienced significant changes in the last few years with a major emphasis on creating legislation that focuses on the welfare of student-athletes. These conversations will continue over the next several weeks and months as we frame discussions around allowing student-athletes to benefit from use of their Name, Image and Likeness or changes to transfer guidelines. I think the pandemic has been a good reminder for us that we are in the people business. This is what has to frame any and all of our discussions regarding NCAA issues moving forward.
- When things get tough, what Bible verse do you go to for encouragement?
I have used the example that Jesus shares in Luke 6:46-49 to encourage myself, my family, my 3rd grade Sunday School class, the HLSS faculty and some of our student-athletes during this pandemic. And I used it in the conclusion of my answer to question 8 above. Jesus promises that if our home is built on the solid foundation of Christ, no matter what challenge comes our way he will sustain us.
10 Questions with....
March 27, 2020 – Mike Carter
April 3, 2020 – Ryan Bush
April 10, 2020 – Mark Milner
April 17, 2020 – Joe Dial
April 24, 2020 – Lance Watson
May 1, 2020 – Roger Bush
May 8, 2020 – Ashtin Meerpohl
May 15, 2020 – Tim Johnson
May 22, 2020 – Adam Hildebrandt
May 29, 2020 – Paul Mills
For the latest information on ORU Athletics, follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading two mobile apps, ORU Golden Eagles Live and ORU Front Row, available on the App Store and Google Play.
#GoldenStandard
