Balancing academics and athletics has been a long-standing challenge for many intercollegiate student-athletes. On Wednesday, May 10, Golden West College’s Athletic Department held its third annual All-Star Achievement Awards to honor student-athletes for academic excellence as well as athletic ability.
The coaches and their outstanding academic student-athletes were recognized by Albert Gasparian, Athletic Director, who spoke about the dual roles and dual responsibilities of GWC student-athletes who must succeed in athletics and academics: In the pool, in the gym, on the field, and in the classroom.
To be considered to be a Student-Athlete Academic All-Star, athletes must have earned a CUM GPA of 3.0 or above. This year 102 athletes were honored, which is up from 60 athletes last year. An impressive one-third of GWC athletes qualify, with 13 students earning a perfect 4.0 GPA.
“The credit for the increase in qualifying students is a direct result of the Student-Athlete Success Program and our strong coaching staff,” said Albert Gasparian, Athletic Director. The program’s monitored center offers math tutoring and mentoring by university graduates who are also former athletes. Gayle Fenton, the coordinator of the program, introduced the staff stating, “These young professional men and women, former intercollegiate athletes ARE the GWC Student-Athlete Success Program. By their dedication to the success of our student-athletes, in the classroom and in their sport; they are all leading by example.”
Golden West College President Wes Bryan congratulated the students for a job well done and thanked the coaches, “You learn on a team from coaches, things you just don’t learn in a classroom,” he said.
As each coach honored their team’s academic all-stars, they thanked Gayle Fenton and the Student Athlete Success Program’s staff for the exceptional work they do to help student-athletes achieve academic success.
