Forget what you may remember of high school athletes who got away with skipping and failing classes. In the college world, the “dumb jock” myth is just that – a myth.
While athletes must remain in good academic standing to stay on the team, many go beyond the required 2.0 GPA.
“The term ‘student-athlete’ definitely applies to UW-Eau Claire,” said Tim Petermann, the interim director of athletics.
“We want to do everything first class – academics, games and community.” –Tonja Englund Women’s basketball coach |
Last year, 40 percent of the athletes made the conference scholastic honor roll. The average GPA for Eau Claire athletes is 3.02, which ranks second in the WIAC, Petermann said.
Senior football player Austin Crow, who has earned academic distinction, said the stereotype of unintelligent athletes should be the other way around.
“Physical ability might actually be second to intellectual ability on the field,” he said. “You need intelligence to play well.”
Sophomore Molly Menard, who holds a 3.8 GPA and plays for the volleyball and basketball teams, said the “stupid jock” myth is stupid in itself.
“It’s not true in college,” she said. “It takes brainpower to balance your time.”
Coaches stress to their players the importance of academics. Todd Hoffner, the head coach of the Blugold football team, sets a pecking order for priorities.
Family and spiritual matters are first on the the list, followed by academics. Athletics come in third, he said.
“They have to balance the effort they put into the sport and the effort they put into school,” Hoffner said.
Women’s basketball coach Tonja Englund said doing well academically is a matter of pride for the team.
“I tell the players that we don’t get a second chance to make a good impression,” Englund said. “When they walk into a classroom, they have the opportunity to show that athletes can excel in many areas.”
Because Eau Claire is a Div. III university, athletes do not receive athletic scholarships. However, there are other awards athletes can receive.
Last year, the athletic department received one of three Community Service awards presented nationally to outstanding Div. III universities, Petermann said.
“There’s so much more to the team than what people see on the court,” Englund said. “We want to do everything first class – academics, games and community.”
Englund mentioned community programs such as Blugold Buddies and Kids’ Night Out, which give local children the chance to play ball with Eau Claire athletes. The athletes also get the chance to mentor students.
Players also are involved with reading programs, playground supervision and food pantries.
Despite interest in volunteering, school remains the main focus for athletes.
“We are here because we desire success and the opportunity to test our limits,” said senior Jeff Burkart. Burkart runs for the track and cross country teams, holds down two jobs and maintains a 3.5 GPA.
Senior Laura Tamm, a 3.9 GPA student and athlete on the women’s basketball and track and field teams, said her priorities lie in academics.
“Classes come first,” she said. “Athletics is a big chunk of time, but I would say my friends and family come in second. Athletics are important, but they’re not my life.”
Aside from the desire to do well, excellent time management skills help athletes do well academically.
While playing on the women’s basketball team, senior Becca Spaeth, who has a 3.9 GPA, said the season actually improves her academic performance.
“I do 10 times better during the season,” she said. “You just get into a routine, and studying is part of that.”
Menard agrees that routine is one aspect of studying. “When you have to set your schedule, you get more organized.
“I get in busy mode,” she said.
Doing well academically helps athletes in another way, too.
“Some kids on campus sit around on campus, bored, with nothing to do,” Hoffner said. “Our athletes are never bored.”