Maritime Athletics

THROGS NECK, NY -- Maritime’s Special Teams Coordinator and Wide Receivers coach, Rich Mercado was recently invited by the NCAA to attend a three day Football Coaches Academy held in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Mercado was one of just 26 college football coaches selected from across the nation and was one of only two coaches selected from the NCAA Division III level. 

The Football Coaches Academy, which was established in 2004 to address minority hiring shortages, is administered by the NCAA Diversity and Inclusion Department.  This unique program is designed to reinforce various aspects of securing, managing and excelling in head football coaching positions at the intercollegiate level.   The participants are current football coaches at NCAA colleges and universities who have up to eight years of experience coaching football.

 “We’re bringing 26 coaches to Indianapolis to reinforce specific areas of expertise that we know athletics directors and head coaches believe are critical when advancing through the coaching ranks,” said Charlotte Westerhaus, NCAA vice president for Diversity and Inclusion.    “The coaches already have the Xs and Os under their belt and they are familiar with many of the skill sets we place emphasis on during the program.   We’re simply going to enhance their skills by providing them with information and feedback from some of the most successful coaches and athletics administrators from around the nation during the various program sessions.”