Hawks Play Well in the Classroom

SUNY New Paltz student-athletes redefining “jock”

Adjusting to college is difficult for some students. For most, it is their first time away from their home and parents. The first few weeks of school are usually spent trying to make friends and fit in while learning the ropes and finding out how often you really need to attend class.

Student athletes start college life off a little differently. They immediately have a group of friends - their teammates. Their peers want them to fit in and feel comfortable because, for the most part, they will need them when their seasons start to help them succeed.

Most people don't realize, though, that student athletes have a lot on their plates. They have to be enrolled in 12 credits and maintain a 2.0 GPA to participate in their sport of choice. But, as most know, it takes more than 12 credits a semester to graduate in the expected four years and many find themselves taking 15 to18 credits a semester. Their schedules include not only classes, but practices and competitions, not to mention team events that all of the athletic teams are required to do, such as community leaf-raking .

Students athletes are first and foremost students. Though student athletes do carry extra baggage with their added responsibilities to their sport, they are attending college to get a degree; athletics should be secondary. To help keep it that way and avoid students missing classes for practices or competition, SUNY New Paltz has allowed student athletes to pre-register for classes.

"New Paltz student athletes shatter the stereotype as to academic performance,"
said Stuart Robinson.

Pre- registration began in the mid 90’s when Debra Miller became the registrar. It takes place two weeks before normal registration and allows for student athletes to plan their classes around practice times that have been set by coaches before pre-registration begins. This has proven to be effective since athletes are able to get the classes they need to graduate and the times that fit in best with their practice schedules.

If students do need to miss classes for competition they are given written permission from the athletic department which they give to their professors.

“Most faculty is understanding as long as the student does not miss more than three classes,” said Stuart Robinson, SUNY New Paltz athletic director. “When we spoke to some faculty a few years ago, they said that three classes was the threshold where one’s attendance jeopardizes success.”

Some students who are not athletes feel this process of pre-registration is an unfair advantage for classes. Students claim that they have jobs and obligations as well. Michelle Coombs, a student athlete at SUNY New Paltz feels that these objections are not unjustified.

“Students with jobs only have to worry about their schedule,” said Coombs. “It’s much easier to plan one person’s classes around a work schedule than 23 different people’s schedules with different requirements around practice.”

Coombs believes that pre-registration for athletes is necessary in order to have a successful team. Katie Becofsky, another student athlete at New Paltz agrees.

Becofsky’s grades show that she does about the same in season and out of season but if she had to choose which she felt better about, she would choose in season.

“I have to time manage a lot,” said Becofsky. “I can’t leave things to the last minute. I have to prioritize and really think about what I need to get done.”

Becofsky also has a job in addition to classes and participating in athletics. She works at the Athletic and Wellness Center on campus. She enjoys the job because when there is downtime she is able to get some work done. Also her supervisors and co-workers know her obligations. Many athletes are employed at the gym, and because of that there is usually not a problem finding someone to cover your shift if you have a competition because fellow student athletes understand, and of course when they have a conflict, they hope the favor will be returned.

Robinson believes that this process has been successful. Female student athletes' grade point averages tend to be higher than average while men fall right around the campus average which is a 3.0.

“In the time that I have been here at New Paltz, student athletes have gradually improved as students in the classroom,” said Robinson. “New Paltz student athletes shatter the stereotype as to academic performance. Coupled with the standards for athletic participation that we have, I am pleased with the performance of our student athletes."

A student’s time is precious, yet it is easily wasted. College is not just a time for students to learn and develop but for them to socialize and have a good time. Athletes should not be left out from the perks of college just because they choose to be on a sports team. Besides, staying active keeps students more happy and healthy. Student athletes do get the benefit of choosing classes early but they have a lot of responsibilities to consider when making their schedules.