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Student-athletes Achieve Academic SuccessJune 18, 2009 AUSTIN, Texas — For the spring 2009 semester, 235 student-athletes at The University of Texas at Austin-more than 60 percent-earned a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) or better, and 36 student-athletes earned perfect 4.0 GPAs. In addition, all but three men's and women's varsity programs earned team GPAs of 3.0 or better. "Our goal is to have all of our teams reach a 3.0 GPA or better each semester," said Dr. Randa Ryan, senior associate athletics director for student services. "This spring we were very close to achieving that goal, and this gives great value to all the hard work from our students, the academic staff and the coaches." More than 55 student-athletes will receive their degrees this spring and fall. In addition, the men's basketball and softball programs received public recognition awards from the NCAA for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR). Both teams posted multi-year APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in their sports. Football's Chris Ogbonnaya and soccer's Stephanie Logterman have been named recipients of the Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship. Ogbonnaya is the fifth member of the football team to receive such an honor since 2001. Logterman is the second soccer player in university history to earn the distinction. The NCAA Postgradute Scholarship was created in 1964 to promote and encourage postgraduate education. Athletics and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement and community service, are evaluated. "Stephanie Logterman has been one of our highest achieving students in the history of Texas athletics," Ryan said. "A postgraduate scholarship is just the exclamation point at the end of her career at the university, which she has represented so well." Brian Davis, associate athletics director for student services over football, said, "Chris Ogbonnaya's postgraduate scholarship is a testament to his hard work and great character. He is wise enough to know that, while he has a great opportunity to continue his career in the NFL, that career will only be a short time relative to the rest of his life. He will use this scholarship to obtain his law degree and pursue his 'second' career." For more information, contact: Nick Voinis, Intercollegiate Athletics, 512-471-2151. 17 Comments to "Student-athletes Achieve Academic Success"Student-athletes can take tests on the road, outside of the classroom. Therefore, they can use resources on tests that other students can't. They should all have at least 3.0s. How hard can a test be when you have multiple days to complete it and any resource you want? 2. Jen said on June 23, 2009 While student-athletes sometimes do need to take exams on the road, these exams are always proctored, and the professor's instructions are followed exactly. No extra resources or time are allowed. Please do the homework before blindly accepting a stereotype. 3. Navid said on June 25, 2009 While it's important to maintain good grades, this whole issue shouldn't just be about grade-point averages. The overall quality of the education and emphasis on taking challenging classes also needs to be emphasized. Athletes need to get a an education that actually prepares them for the real world outside of sports, not just an education that allows them to make the university look good on paper and the field. I'm not making an accusation, but rather saying we should look at other factors to measure academic success, such as job placement and graduate school admissions. 4. Mark said on June 29, 2009 An education is an education. Whether it be in business, education or communication, students with college degrees play an important role in society. It is up to each individual, athlete or not, what it is they will make of their own careers. Give student-athletes some credit for their hard work on and off the field. 5. Andrea said on July 1, 2009 Navid: This article wasn't focused on post-graduate success, but rather it was acknowledging student-athletes' academic accomplishments here at The University of Texas at Austin. My experience as a student-athlete in college was so much more than just succeeding academically. I learned how to work with a team, how to thrive under pressure and how to balance more than 20 hours of practice in addition to classes. Student-athletes are fantastic employees and excellent graduate students because they value collaboration, they have thick skin and they know how to work hard. The college experience is about learning valuable life skills, much of which is taught outside of the classroom. 6. Navid said on July 1, 2009 I totally agree that being a college athlete teaches one invaluable skills that can't be measured academically. These individuals work extremely hard to balance sports and academics. Also, I'm not saying that athletes make bad employees. I'm just concerned that quantifying educational success by looking only at grade-point average is not comprehensive enough to due the athletes justice. 7. Chris said on July 2, 2009 For those who made a 4.0, I say congratulations, but for the rest, are we really going to pat them on the back for making a 3.0? And only 60 percent? Does anybody realize that this means 40 percent of the athletes make under a 3.0? That's pathetic. I'm sorry, but I've seen the academic "help" athletes get way too many times throughout my college career. I know many student-athletes, and I have seen them get break after break, and even heard them brag about how professors help them out. I'm pretty sure Mack Brown has a lot more pull at this university than any parent does, so when it comes down to playing or not playing, we all know what will happen 95 percent of the time. What about students who work full-time and still get high grade-point averages? Who's congratulating them? Let's set the bar low for students who get a free education, free housing and free food on the other students' dime? Great idea, UT. 8. Dr. Jose Rios said on July 2, 2009 While I will give the student-athletes kudos for their academic success, it has always pained me to listen to the interviews from some of our football players. Someone in the department needs to develop a class on the proper way to respond to an interviewer using proper grammar and diction, exhibiting confidence, using first person instead of third person, etc. This would enhance the image of our football players. 9. Don said on July 2, 2009 My daughter was on the rowing team this year. I have learned a new respect for student-athletes. The time commitment is huge. But she stuck it out and managed a 3.6 grade-point average in the Business School. And she made some great friends and was really excited about being a UT athlete. Anybody making the grade in college should be commended, especially those who manage to do it while spending all that extra time being involved or working. And I was quite impressed by Chris Ogbonnaya at the academic banquet. Very impressive young man. Just like all the UT student-athletes I've met. 10. Russell Painton said on July 2, 2009 This is all good stuff, but the real meat lies in knowing just what percentage of all athletes at the university did this well...and in what majors. 11. Austin said on July 2, 2009 This is UT propaganda. Mark Twain said, "There are three types of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." 12. Matthew said on July 2, 2009 Dr. Jose, I understand what you're trying to say about some of the football players here at The University of Texas at Austin. They could use a little help with their speech, true. But couldn't we all improve in this area? Let the football students learn and grow up the best way they know how without all the chastising. We know nothing about certain factors and how some of these football players have grown up. One last note to Chris, about the free food and housing that the student-athletes are receiving. We all have to eat and sleep somewhere, don't we? Cheers. 13. Ron Harder said on July 2, 2009 Chris, understand that with you being a student working full-time and maintaining good grades, it really does nothing for the institution. However, bring Colt McCoy or a guy like Vince Young into the equation, and the university, as well as students, will reap the benefits! For example, revenue increase, higher spending budget, better facilities for students and the athletes. Now, although I share the same sentiment as you, Chris, because the university isn't doing anything for you at the moment, it doesn't mean we should lash out at the athletes or the athletics department. My advice is to work hard, get an education and then go seek out a job. Being mad at athletes won't help you as an individual climb the ladder any faster. Best, 14. Jason said on July 3, 2009 Congratulations to all the student-athletes and their academic achievements. Wow, 60 percent at a 3.0 grade-point average or better, that is awesome. For the 40 percent who are below that 3.0 mark, just keep with it. For those who are not or have not been student-athletes at the NCAA Division 1 level, you are not expected to fully grasp this achievement. Just know that it truly is a great success for these students who work so hard on and off the field on a daily basis. The beauty of having student-athletes as employees is that they understand that they can always do better, and they do not compare themselves to the person working next to them, but to the person who is the best in their field of work. Aside from the academics, it's great for these young people to be out in the community giving their time to various organizations, not to mention traveling internationally and giving their time. What starts here changes the world. Hook 'em, Horns! 15. Jerry Herring said on July 4, 2009 I was head cheerleader from 1958 to 1960. We received no compensation for travel, nothing out of state. Our uniforms were handmade by a lady on San Jacinto Street. We had no scholarships or meal plans. We practiced every day during football and basketball seasons. We received a letter sweater at the end of the year. I have no complaints about student-athletes' compensation. Just pass around the gravy to others. I feel all cheerleaders should be elected into the letterman's association with all benefits. This should be made retroactive to Harley Clark's years. 16. Alan Thomson said on July 7, 2009 In life there are so many things to feel good about and anyone associated with The University of Texas at Austin should totally celebrate the achievements of everybody at the university, athletic, academic, administration and general support. It is a truly great place to be and as a non-Texan you really feel the pride when you visit Austin. So, to the naysayers, I say get over yourselves, focus on the positives, spend some time on the "Last Lecture" and start to enjoy life. It's a better place to be. 17. Mark said on July 14, 2009 Congratulations to these athletes who also kept up with their academic requirements and "made the grade." For those "concerned" about percentages it would be interesting to compare these to the students who are not athletes and see what percentage made a 3.0 or better. Also, there are so many other factors involved when the students are involved in athletics or other activities, such as band, cheerleading, work, etc. that take them away from study time. It seems to produce a more "well-rounded" individual in the end. And isn't that what we want? Post a comment» Student-athletes Achieve Academic Success |
1. Stephen said on June 18, 2009