With 11 semesters under their belt, the athletic department is celebrating one of their longest win streaks ever – this time it’s in the classroom.
Student-athletes earned a cumulative 3.25 GPA across 10 teams. Volleyball led the way with a 3.74 GPA, followed by beach volleyball at 3.73.
Athletic director Collin Pregliasco attributed the department’s success to priority registration, grade checks and faculty support.
“What we do is make sure that student-athletes have everything they can to be successful,” Pregliasco said. “But ultimately, it’s up to the athlete to be held accountable to meet the standard we set up.”
Athletic counselor Matthew Wohl said these levels of support are intended to provide students with a positive environment that makes it difficult for anyone to slip through the cracks. Since student-athletes must compete with other potential recruits, Wohl said a good education makes a big difference.
Priority registration allows students to plan around games and practices, while grade checks identify those who are struggling, Wohl said. Students are also required to attend mandatory study hall hours.
Miyah Quinn, who plays for the soccer team, said that faculty members like Wohl play a crucial role in supporting students.
“One of our mantras is ‘student before athlete,’ and so our coach really strives to push us to do well in the classroom,” Quinn said.
Quinn, a 19-year-old kinesiology major, is one of 38 student-athletes who earned a 4.0 GPA during the spring semester. The athletic department awarded women’s soccer in May for having the most improved team GPA, according to the department’s website.
Pregliasco said that in addition to using awards as incentives, changes in faculty organization have helped establish accountability and responsibility among staff. Academic coaches are assigned to teams, allowing them to build one-on-one relationships with student-athletes.
“None of this works without the support of the faculty,” Pregliasco said. “Them willing to be supportive of our student-athletes and their academic success is really what makes us all go.”