Statement encourages athletes to succeed as students
Kristen Smith

Staff Writer

Student athletes at Missouri Southern can be assured the athletic program will encourage them to enhance their athletic ability in their chosen sport.

However, along with becoming a better athlete comes the responsibility to grow as a better student. The athletic department is striving to encourage student athletes to grow as students as they pursue athletic goals.

A Philosophy Statement geared toward student athletes can be found on the Southern athletics  Web page.

One part of the philosophy states:

"A truly effective athletic program produces student-athletes who succeed in their academic work as well as in their chosen sport, and who, following graduation, are a tribute to themselves, the College, and their communities."

Student athletes think they are encouraged by their coaches to excel as students.

"We always set a goal for a team grade-point average," said Emily Cassin, junior on the women's track team. "That always helped because the other teammates were always counting on you to help keep up your part."

Grade checks are done two times a semester, and any absences from classes are tracked and turned into the coaches. The football team holds study hall on Thursdays and Fridays for players who are making a grade below a C in any of their classes.

"I think it makes us better students because it keeps us on track," said Kyle Flood, freshman football player. "It sets up a time when I have to study."

Julie Wengert, women s tennis coach, said she holds individual conferences each semester with her players. She sits down with the players and helps them to set goals for their academics as well as goals on the court.

"We have Holley Goodnight in charge of the Student Athletic Success Program," Wengert said. "When grade checks are turned in, we are able to access the situation ourselves and talk with the students and find out how we can help."

Kim Mutert, junior volleyball player, said the program holds students more accountable to their academics.

"If you don't go to class, your teachers and your coaches know," Mutert said. "Every coach checks up on their players. When you see a success in the classroom, then it shows."

Cassin said if the coaches saw their athletes were struggling, then they would set appointments with the athletes and help get them into tutoring sessions.

"We initiated, two or three years ago, a grade-check system that gives us a much more authoritative feedback from the faculty members," said Sallie Beard, athletic director. "It gives us the opportunity to be much more focused in the kind of assistance that our student athletes may need if they find difficulty in a class."

Melissa Turner, sophomore, competes in the pole vault for Southern and said Patty Vavra, head coach, pushes the women to excel in class as well as to place academics before track.

"Sports in general has encouraged me to be a better athlete," Turner said. "It caries, over. If you're an athlete, then it encourages you to be a better student."

Beard said the graduation statistics showed the student athlete graduation rate at Southern was 60 percent.

The Philosophy Statement can be found on the athletics  home page at www.mssc.edu/athletics.