Dr. Vic McCracken is going “FAR” in his involvement with ACU. McCracken was appointed by Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, last spring to be the new Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) succeeding Dr. Jonathan Stewart.
In addition to this, he is a professor of ethics and theology in the College of Biblical Studies and has served on the faculty at ACU since 2008. McCracken also served on the leadership team of the Faculty Senate from 2018-2022, as the onsite faculty for Study Abroad program in Oxford in 2012 and 2022, and Leipzig in 2015, and as the faculty sponsor for the Chess Club and ACU’s International Justice Mission chapter.
“I love our student athletes,” McCracken said. “I have so many positive experiences with student athletes in my classes, and as one who has attended a lot of ACU sports events in the last 15 years, I am excited to be in a role where I get to serve these students.”
A Faculty Athletics Representative is a member of the faculty at the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). They have been designated by the institution to serve as a liaison between the institution and the athletic department. They also serve as a representative of the institution in conferences and NCAA affairs.
Zack Lassiter, the vice president for athletics, said the FAR serves in many ways.
“The FAR serves as chair of the ACU Faculty Athletics Committee, serves as an advisor to the ACU athletic department, serves on the conference FAR committee, and ensures compliance with NCAA and university policies related to academic integrity, student-athlete welfare and other pertinent areas,” Lassiter said.
Stewart, the previous FAR, served for six years, and his term ended in May of 2023. Stewart is a professor of finance, and his department recently received a generous gift from the Dukes family. Stewart said that due to this, it was time for him to focus all of his attention back in the College of Business Administration.
“This is creating many new opportunities for the Dukes School of Finance,” Stewart said. “Therefore, I notified Dr. Schubert that someone else would be needed to serve as FAR at the end of my term last May.”
McCracken has many plans and ideas for his time in this position. McCracken said he is looking forward to getting to know the student athletes more personally and growing those relationships.
“In many ways, I want to build on the stellar work that our previous FAR, Jonathan Stewart, has done to build a positive relationship between our athletics department and the colleges that are the academic arm of the university,” McCracken said.
McCracken has already started growing these relationships with those he will work alongside, such as Lassiter.
“I’m excited about Dr. McCracken’s passion for student athlete success and the mission of ACU,” Lassiter said. “I believe he will be an ideal partner to ensure that our student athletes have a great experience.”
McCracken said that as students step into this new academic year he wants them to know that the professors are rooting for their success in all that they do.
“I want all of our students to know that ACU faculty value you not merely for your abilities on the field or in our classrooms,” McCracken said. “We want you to grow as men and women who see your lives as part of a bigger story of God’s work in this world. Keep your eyes and ears open for the ways God is changing your life in the months ahead.”
