Bio

Rhys Edwards was named the Assistant Athletic Director - NCAA Compliance and Student-Athlete Academic Success in May 2020. He was initially hired as the Director of NCAA Compliance and Student-Athlete Services in December 2016.

Edwards creates, implements, and monitors a comprehensive NCAA rules compliance program for the athletic department's 14 NCAA varsity programs and varsity Esports program. Edwards is responsible for monitoring student-athlete eligibility, athletics financial aid, recruiting activities, playing and practice seasons, and student-athlete awards and benefits. Additionally, he conducts varied rules education sessions, provides rules interpretations, and submits waiver requests through the NCAA’s LSDBi, RSRO, CAi, and Eligibility Center applications.

He is also responsible for assisting student-athletes to achieve academic success by developing and coordinating academic support programs that enable student-athletes to receive appropriate and timely academic assistance. He also develops academic schedules, assists in making career/academic choices, and assists at-risk student-athletes, as appropriate.

He is the SAAC Advisor, assisting SAAC in planning and conducting various community service, ‘Huskies Lend A Paw’ charitable fundraising, and student-athlete recognition events.

Edwards joined the Athletic Department from Michigan Tech’s Office of Academic and Community Conduct where he was the coordinator for three years. In that position Edwards administered the Student Code of Community Conduct and other policies and procedures as they pertain to students’ rights and responsibilities; providing due process and educational outcomes that promote the quality of student life and community; and in fostering students’ personal, academic, and ethical development. He is also the current State Coordinator for the Michigan Association of Student Conduct Administrators.

During his time at Michigan Tech Edwards has developed strong relationships, collaboration, and partnership with many on-campus departments and many community resources. Edwards is a member of the President’s Council on Health and Wellness and Title IX committee.

Edwards is an accomplished public speaker and NCAA approved health and safety speaker, with an expertise in creating curriculums and programming on such topics as dating violence, bullying/hazing prevention, sexual violence prevention, and substance abuse prevention.

He is certified in NCAA ‘Step Up’ bystander training and has created and presented to many groups on campus already, including student-athletes and student orgs. He is also an instructor in UN1000, UN1010, and UN1011.

Prior to coming to Tech, Edwards worked for Dial Help Community Outreach and Support Center in Houghton. While there he developed, coordinated, and implemented Sexual Violence Prevention/substance abuse prevention programming in a four-county area, (500+ square miles). And served on the Michigan State Prevention Steering Committee (SPSC). He has also worked for Finlandia University as a Disability Student Services Academic Mentor.

Edwards was born in Wales, in the United Kingdom and graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2001 and the University of Wales in 2003. He resides in Chassell with his wife Dawn and their three children.