ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- Dr. Steven Winter, a long-time faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology at Sonoma State University, has been named the school's Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR).  Dr. Winter takes over for Dr. Duane Dove, who served in the FAR position for 13 years.

The FAR is responsible for ensuring the academic integrity of the intercollegiate athletic program, promoting the well-being of student athletes, and supporting institutional oversight of athletics compliance and student eligibility.

A professor and department chair in Kinesiology at SSU, Winter coordinates the Lifetime Physical Activity Concentration at the school.  He earned his BS in Kinesiology from UCLA and his MS in Athletic Training from the University of Arizona before obtaining his Doctorate of Education in Curriculum Design and Instructional Supervision from the University of San Francisco. 

Before becoming a full-time educator, Dr. Winter srved as an athletic trainer at the university, community college, and high school levels, as well as in the physical therapy settting.  A 23-year member of the California Athletic Trainers' Association (CATA), he has served the organization as president, regional direcgtor, committee chair, and parliamentarian.

Along with his teaching and department chair duties at Sonoma State, Winter has been a member, and three-term chair, of the Athletic Advisory Council (AAC).  

Said Winter, "I am honored to be chosen as the SSU Faculty Athletic Representative!  Having worked with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics for over two decades I appreciate the opportunity to more closely be a part of helping student-athletes and the department continue to strive for academic excellence."

Bill Fusco, Sonoma State's Senior Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, remarked, "The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is extremely fortunate to have Dr. Steven Winter as our new NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative. His extended experience with our program as a veteran member of the Athletic Advisory Council (AAC) and his working knowledge of NCAA Division II will provide a smooth transition for the department."

As mentioned, Winter replaces the retiring Dr. Duane Dove who served as FAR from 2003 to 2016.  Said Fusco, "On behalf of the department, I would also like to express our appreciation to Dr. Duane Dove for his 13 years of service to intercollegiate athletics at SSU. Dr. Dove's commitment to academic excellence and NCAA compliance were significant in our efforts to maintain institutional control of our program."