A new Princeton University Department of Athletics program aims to create the right environment and educational platforms to help student-athletes reach peak performance in athletics, in academics and in life.
With a values-based, holistic approach, Princeton Tiger Performance (PTP) integrates strength and conditioning, athletic medicine, sports nutrition, sports psychology, sports science, leadership development, and supportive campus resources.
A unique feature of PTP, which launched this fall and is based in Jadwin Gymnasium, is the values integration at all levels, led by Ford Family Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan and her entire "Team around the Team."
"We believe that values shape behavior, behavior defines culture, and culture drives performance," Marcoux Samaan said. "PTP reflects our department’s core beliefs, bringing them to life with innovation and vigor."
PTP is preparing Princeton student-athletes to live out Athletics’ mission of education through athletics and competitive excellence and its motto of "Achieve, Serve, and Lead," she said.
For its 37 athletic teams, the program supports student-athletes and coaches to develop highly successful, positive team cultures centered around the Princeton Athletics core values. Princeton Athletics staff teaches what it takes to "be A TIGER" in all areas of students’ lives: to be Accountable and Team-oriented, to have Integrity, and to be Growth-minded, Engaged, and Respectful.
The new effort reinforces Athletics as a leader and resource for high performance for the larger campus community around health and wellbeing. PTP reflects Princeton’s commitment to students, faculty and staff taking care of the whole self and to providing dedicated resources to support physical, psychological, and emotional health and well-being.
"PTP brings together resources and partners all across this campus, making it possible for Princeton student-athletes to maximize their academic, athletic and social experience," said PTP Director Jason Gallucci. "Components of the program include state of the art functional movement and strength training; the use of sports science and technology; a nutritional fueling station as well as nutritional counseling and education; education around sleep hygiene and recovery; sports psychology; and ongoing leadership development training. PTP will create the environment and education platforms to help student-athletes optimize physiological and psychological health."
Princeton Athletics’ winning tradition (with the most Ivy League Titles earned) is grounded in its intentional adherence to aspirational values and culture, Marcoux Samaan said. Princeton University’s student-athletes have won one quarter of all of the championships in Ivy League history, and perform more than 4,000 hours of community service each year.