Putting the Student in Student-Athletes
Fabia McDonald is one of six members of the 2015 Ole Miss Track and Field Team who has received All-Academic recognition from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Photo by Joshua McCoy/Ole Miss Athletics
October 19, 2015 — Oxford, Miss.
The day begins with a healthy breakfast and rush to class. She wears a white athletic shirt that reads “Ole Miss Track” with her team issued tennis shoes and athletic shorts. After a morning filled with class, she grabs a quick snack and heads to practice in the afternoon. Following practice, she goes to her tutor, grabs a bite to eat for dinner and then heads home for an evening filled with finishing homework. This is what a normal day looks like for junior Callie Watson, member of the Ole Miss track team.
Although student athletes undergo a strenuous daily schedule and sometimes two-a-day practices, the expectations in the classroom are still set high. Here at Ole Miss, the FedEx Student Athlete Support Center is the place to go.
Ole Miss student-athletes have benefitted tremendously from their first-class on-campus learning environment. Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Sports Photo Gallery
A few of the resources that are offered to students include tutorial sessions, life skills, time management and making sure they are in compliance with University, NCAA and SEC guidelines at all times.
Political science major and pole vaulter, Watson especially utilizes the tutors that are in place for the student athletes. “I’m always there,” Watson says of the FedEx Center. “I have tutors for three of my four classes.”
The tutors that are used can be any Ole Miss student who has previously taken and done well in the class. Usually tutors are assigned by appointment at the beginning of the semester, and the students go to them weekly until the end of the semester.
Another outlet that benefits student-athletes are weekly academic advisor meetings, Watson said. Watson takes her homework, assignments and recent grades to show her advisor, and he makes sure she is on track as well as responsbile for her work. “If we do make a bad grade, he keeps us accountable for it,” Watson says.
The advisors also send e-mails or text reminders to the athletes when he/she has a test, quiz or tutoring session that week.
The 22,500-square-foot building that is the FedEx Center is home to the Office of Student-Athlete Academic Support. Within the complex there are offices, conference rooms, 20 large and small group tutoring rooms, a large study area, a multi-media classroom, computer lab and 150-seat high-tech auditorium. The $5 million project was completed in May 2007.
Derek Cowherd is the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development, which encompasses academics and life skills for the athletes.
“The best part of our day is getting to know they students on a one-on-one basis,” Cowherd says. “Seeing what makes them tick keeps us going.”
Student athletes live under the microscope. Not only do they represent themselves, but a university and an athletic program. The pressure that rides on them to juggle school, sports and at some point a community is often overlooked by the public eye.
“I see nothing but amazing potential when I’m standing in front of a lecture hall full of students,” Cathy Grace, well known and loved Geology professor here at Ole Miss, says. Grace teaches a couple of different courses that are necessary for most students, so she has a lot of student athletes come through her class.
Grace also says she likes teaching student-athletes because of the support through the FedEx Center. “I can contact them when I realize a student is struggling. I wish that were the case with all of my students,” Grace says.