IVCC monitoring academic progress of athletes
By Clay Coss
Apache Staff
IVCC is trying to see that athletes succeed, not just on the playing fields, but in classes. The system for monitoring the academic progress of student athletes has been upgraded this semester.
On the recommendation of a Student Athlete Success Committee, athletes have to contact each of their instructors every three weeks and have the instructor complete a progress report. The athlete's coach is then supposed to review the reports right after they are submitted.
The Student Athlete Success Committee recommendation says the coach is "responsible for monitoring and communicating with his/her respective athletes." If athletes fail to submit the reports, the coach is "to review each incident and take the appropriate actions to deal with each situation."
Athletic Director Mike Riley said the committee spent a lot of time over the summer working out the new policy.
"We're really expecting things to work out well," he said. "We're hoping our new system is going to benefit both the student-athlete and the faculty. It should also let coaches know where their athletes stand as far as eligibility goes."
In addition to the academic progress reports, student athletes have to fulfill specific responsibilities set by their coaches. Some coaches require athletes to attend study sessions for three or more hours a week.
About the study sessions, baseball co-captain Billy Corrigan said: "At first, it's all a little overwhelming. But as you settle down, you come to realize it's for your own good.
"It helps you learn how to manage your time and gives you a chance to get something done," he continued. "Of course, it's not something you're excited about, but you have to do it, and it's beneficial."
In addition to progress reports and study sessions, a mentoring program has been reinstated after a four-year absence.
Organized by nursing instructor Kim Abel, the mentoring program is designed to help out of district student athletes adjust to IVCC.
An off-shoot of the academic monitoring system, mentoring pairs an athlete with a staff member who has volunteered to help. The extent of the relationship is decided by the two people.
"When we had the program in the past, it worked wonderfully," Abel said. "It gives these children, who are pulled into this setting from wherever, at least one person on campus who cares for them -- not just whether or not they can throw a ball through a hoop or hit a baseball a mile, but also academically and as a person."