Student athletes see above-average graduation rates compared to other schools, general student body
A strong work ethic and academic resources offered by the Herbst Academic Center may explain high graduation rates among CU student athletes.
Many CU student athletes spend nearly twice as much time satisfying their sport’s demands as they do sitting inside of a classroom. They are also graduating at higher rates than the general student body. Suddenly the phrase “dumb jock” seems mildly unfitting.
One might assume that student athletes with demanding schedules and conflicting priorities should experience trouble completing their degrees at rates comparable to non-athlete students. But, last year’s results showed an 81 percent graduation rate for all athletes that entered as freshmen and a 66 percent rate for non-athletes that entered as freshmen. With these findings CU student athletes appear to be just as dedicated off the field as they are on.
After an accomplished 22 seasons as the CU women’s basketball coach, Ceal Barry is now the Associate Athletic Director of Student Services. One of her many responsibilities is maintaining a strong academic support program for student athletes at CU. Barry has a few reasons in mind as to why athletes are graduating at such high rates.
“I think our athletes succeed because for the most part, to participate, you have to be fairly mature and disciplined,” Barry said. “They can’t be out on Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night and really expect to wake up early on Monday.”
Barry believes that one of the reasons athletes stay focused is because their busy schedules don’t leave any room for slacking off.
“They’ve got two full time jobs. They’re going to school 12 to 15 hours (a week), and they’re probably putting 20 to 30 hours a week in their sport,” Barry said.
The Herbst Academic Center in the Dal Ward Athletic Facility offers many academic resources that cater to athletes’ specific needs. The associate director for academics and admissions, Kris Livingston, oversees many of these resource programs. One privilege available to athletes is their ability to register for classes one day before the rest of the student body.
“The priority registration allows them to take classes built around their practice schedule and to keep on track towards their degree,” Livingston said. “That’s been a very big help in that manner.”
Every student athlete is also assigned an academic coordinator. Schedule advising is left to the academic advisors throughout the university, while coordinators help the athletes with all their academic needs.
“This person coordinates their study time and helps them when they are traveling and missing classes,” Livingston said. “They would help them if they need to secure a tutor and look at academic eligibility as well.”
Livingston noted that tutors are available for any subject that is needed. Computer labs and study rooms are available for athlete use in the Herbst Academic Center.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer James Friendly Nicholson at Kyle.McDaniel@thecampuspress.com