This week's INTRODUCING ... feature promotes the efforts of Gallaudet Assistant Professor Andrew Brinks, who serves as coach and is trying to help rebuild the Bison men's and women's cross country programs.

While focusing primarily on the student-athletes that compete in the Capital Athletic Conference, the website's INTRODUCING ... feature also hopes to show fans and supporters the kind of dedicated individuals (coaches, administrators, support staff, alumni, etc.) that contribute to the growth and improvement of those student-athletes and the many successes within the CAC.

Mr. Brinks is a Certified Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Personal Trainer and has been teaching the Wellness course for the past two years.  He has been a physical educator for the past 24 years and is now writing his dissertation in the Special Education Administration Program at Gallaudet University.

He has extensive experience working with students and adults in health promotion and fitness programs. He has taught physiology of exercise, weight training, jogging, First Year Seminar (FYS) for the past 12 years, and is a certified personal trainer. He has also served as a Bridge Program and New Signers Program for the new incoming freshmen who need to polish up their English, math, and sign language skills before fall semester begins.

Brinks is also working to rebuild the GU cross country programs that were discontinued in the early part of this decade.  Several Bison runners competed in the 2008 CAC championship, and several others were members of the team throughout the season but were unable to compete at the CAC Championship.

What is your background in the sport you coach?  While an undergrad at Gallaudet in the late 1970's, I joined and participated in varsity tennis, cross country, and track. Also, I coached long distance events for the Maryland School for the Deaf and New York School for the Deaf.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spots on and off campus are the Washington Mall where I enjoy running and the weight room at Gallaudet. I enjoy interacting and chatting with people who love to exercise. This is where I get ideas for running and exercise tips.

Other than your team, what organization(s) do you participate in?  I serve on the Board of Directors for Camp Mark Seven. This camp is located in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York and offers an array of recreational, Educational, leadership and spiritual programs for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals of al ages.

What was your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?  My major in college was Physical Education and the most important thing I learned was how to be a great teacher and knowing how to teach and motivate all deaf and hard of hearing children and adults with knowledge, skills, and ongoing values with lots of enthusiasm to maintain healthy lifestyles for life.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  My favorite person is Art Monk, the former receiver for the Washington Redskins.  He set NFL records for most catches and most consecutive games with at least one reception.  I admire his persistence on the field with his wonderful attitude, especially when he got older.  The Redskins are my favorite team, and my family and I love watching them play.

Name someone, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?  My dad.  He died 23 years ago and I feel that I didn't know him enough before he died of cancer.  I found out after his death that he was a track star in Washington D.C. and received many awards.  He never told me or my siblings about his running achievements.

Since Gallaudet announced the return of cross country in the spring and there wasn't much time for recruiting, how have you dealt with the difficulties have you encountered as a coach of a first-year program?  I know cross country is not as popular a sport as other collegiate sports.  I was prepared for the fact that I may only have a few runners my first year.  I didn't mind having a few, since it meant they really wanted to run and benefit from this sport. When cross country was first announced to the student body, there was no interest.  However, I actively advertised the team via several avenues and I was able to recruit four female runners and two male runners.  The other challenge is that the majority of my runners have never competed in cross country meets.  Many deaf high schools do not offer cross country as a sport thus our runners are not prepared before entering Gallaudet.   Due to this, my runners need more time to adapt to a high mileage sport.

Your dual role, primarily as a campus professor (and part-time head coach) is different from many college coaches.  What advantages, or disadvantages, do you face compared to other collegiate coaches?  The advantage of my dual role is that I am always on Gallaudet University campus and my runners can see me anytime; which allows me to get to know them as individuals. Two of my runners are in one of my physical education major classes. Since I am a part-time coach, I am unable to go out and recruit runners; however, Gallaudet's track coach, Ryan Hite can help me in this regard.  I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be a cross country coach. I have faith that next year we will have a team and their skills will increase as time goes on.