Learning Outcomes

Hello!

I wanted to spend time on this posting discussing the different learning outcomes I gained by doing research and talking to experts in the field. I would like to thank Dr. Carla Winters for steering me in the right direction on this topic. Compliance should be a priority to all who are in academic advising of athletes because failure to do so could damage the image and reputation of a college athletics department. NCAA and other governing bodies of athletics have policies in place to ensure the student is protected.

 It became evident to me that the student-athlete is under more supervision that the average student does not get. For example, if a student-athlete is failing a course, tutoring is require for them to attend. It is almost as if every aspect of their life is policed, so where does the opportunity for growth and development, their whole collegiate experience is scheduled? I would love to see more of a student life perspective develop within athletics.

Appreciating diversity is also a very important aspect in realizing within athletics. Dr. Winters told me that athletics are the most diverse group of students at OU. People from various socio-economic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations are all represented. Inclusive programming aimed at accepting diversity could be a way to develop more of a student life within athletics.

I would love to continue doing more research on how specific academic advising in athletics is in contrast to more traditional academic advising. Maybe even develop a compare and contrast chart that others could use in deciding which area of advising would be more satisfying to an individual.

Current Events in Athletics

 

Hello,

I wanted to spend some time discussing other issues that are having an impact on Athletics in general, and ultimately have impacts on student-athletes. I do know there is current debate on a number of issues dealing with athletics, such as pay for play. The idea that universities are profiting millions of dollars on star athletes, but the students themselves are not allowed to get paid. That makes me question the idea of a type of slavery within the realm of athletics. There are a number of students in colleges across the country who play sports. Sports is their motivation and may be their only way to a college education. Many of these stellar athletes and not even on a full scholarship, but partial.  They risk their health and bodies with no promise of making it to the professional leagues. I believe that if universities are not going to physically pay athletes for their performances, could they at least pay their full tuition because of all the time it takes to be an athlete. In many situations, athletics is a student's entire life. They are not able to assimilate into a normal campus culture because their sport rules their life. I believe it also dampens their development into becoming global citizens.  What can we as student affairs professionals do to assist athletes in their development outside of the classroom and off the field?? What are your thoughts on this debate?


More readings on the topic:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130927/jim-delany-comments-ncaa-accountability-act/

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/pay-for-play-not-in-plans-for-big-ten-commissioner-jim-delany-ncaa-092613

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebasketball/story/jim-boeheim-idiotic-suggestion-pay-for-play-college-athletics-mike-krzyzewski-ncaa-100313-

Bylaw Article 14

According to Dr. Carla Winters, Bylaw, Article 14, Eligibility: Academic and General Requirements is one of the mandates that every Academic Advisor should be familiar with in Athletics. These rules remind us that athletes should be treated as students first, and then an athlete. They must be working toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree and maintain in a good academic standing to be eligible to play a sport.

 

14.01.04 Purpose of the Academic Performance Program. The central purpose of the academic performance program is to ensure that the Division I membership is dedicated to providing student-athletes with exemplary educational and intercollegiate-athletics experiences in an environment that recognizes and supports the primacy of the academic mission of its member institutions, while enhancing the ability of male and female student-athletes to earn a four-year degree. (Adopted: 4/29/04, Revised: 7/31/13)

 

Source: 2013-2014 NCAA Division 1 Manual (p. 105)



 

 

National Association

The National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) is the national association that assists academic athletic advisors. The mission statement:

The National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics is a diverse organization of service professionals who promote the integrity of their profession by providing guiding principles and quality services to support one another as they share information, resources and expertise in their efforts to empower student-athletes to become more productive individuals through educational and personal development.


They serve the following purposes for athletic academic advisors:

• Credentialing Office (You must be certified to advise athletes)
• Educate the body on current issues
• Job boards
• Professional Development Institute

Professional Expertise

I sat down with Dr. Carla Winters who serves as the Assistant Director for Athletics Academics & Student Life at The University of Oklahoma. She gave me many resources to assist in my research on the topic. I asked her, "What do you think are the top 5 issues in Athletic Academic Advising?" Her answers and my commentary to her top 5 issues are below:

1. Compliance
2. Working knowledge of academic disciplines
3. Athletic time restrictions
4. Media attention
5. Ethics in Athletics









If anyone wants to be successful as an Athletic Academic Advisor, one needs to be extremely knowledgeable of policies and procedures. The University of Oklahoma, for example, has to remain compliant with University rules, Conference (Big XII), and NCAA rules. Failure to be in compliance of all three could result in fines, sanctions, or even loss of credentials to be an academic advisor for athletics.

Staying current on all academic disciplines is also an important issue according to Dr. Winters. A large, research, doctoral granting institution such as OU has various disciplines. The academic advisors here need to have an understanding of all disciplines because athletes have different areas of study. It is different that in a traditional setting. For example, it is easier for a school of business advisor to be aware of all disciplines and advise students according what is offered because they only have so many degree plans within the school. Athletic Advisor's knowledge of course offerings must be amplified university-wide in order to be of service to student-athletes. If they do not know, they must find someone who can assist them.

Time is of the essence for a student-athlete. Class, practice, homework, games, travel are all aspects in the life of a student-athlete. Often time, the majors selected by athletes are a lot less time intensive because of how much time is devoted to the sport he or she may play. In a 2008 article published by USA Today, "Some athletes say they have pursued — or have been steered to — degree programs that helped keep them eligible for sports but didn't prepare them for post-sports careers." This can be an issue to athletes that never reach the professional level, or athletes that reach the professional level, but career may end short and unexpectedly.

Source: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/2008-11-18-majors-cover_N.htm

















Media attention can definitely have an affect on student-athletes. Whether a star player makes the winning touchdown in a game or miss a 3-point shot in the final seconds and lose a game, overexposure can affect how they are treated in the classroom and can ultimately affect their academic performance. A 2010 article published by The OU Daily says, "Administrators should look out for the best options for their student-athlete and not take their athletic ability and making it a public spectrum, placing them on a king’s throne when they are just a pauper." It is important to treat students as people and not an objectified figure who is only good in whatever sport he or she may excel in.

Source: http://oudaily.com/news/2010/sep/02/column-young-athletes-over-exposed-society/

Ethics in Academic Advising is very important. Teaching our student-athletes ethics and proper decision making skills can assist in their development. Classes are being developed on this topic for student-athletes to ensure they are making the proper decisions during their undergraduate experience. The University of Tulsa has implemented  a course entitled "Ethics & Decision-Making: Critical Thinking Skills Development and Implementation."

Source: http://www.athleticmanagement.com/2011/10/23/spreading_ethics/index.php

Introduction

Hello,

My name is Russell L. Bouyer. I am a first year graduate student at The University of Oklahoma pursuing a Masters in Education in  Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs. I am a Graduate Assistant in Athletics under Conduct and Compliance where I assist and manage the academic labs for our student athletes.

Dr. Shara Hynes, my professor for the Leadership and Administration in Student Affairs course, charged the class with an assignment. We are to develop a project using social media which will inform and educate people about a certain aspect involving Student Affairs.

I decided to choose Academic Advising in Athletics because it is an area of interest of mine. I also decided on this topic because of the understanding I already had of how different advising is for the athlete than the non-athletic student. I am eager to find out more information regarding this topic and I will discuss examples from The University of Oklahoma as well as other current situations that other deal with the subject across the country.

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