University of Massachusets Athletics

Academic Success & The Student-Athlete

Academic Success & The Student-Athlete



Recognizing that the "student" in student-athlete is the most vital element, the University of Massachusetts Athletic Department goes to great lengths in order to ensure that success in the classroom goes hand-in-hand with success in sports.

With a staff of five academic resource coordinators, seven graduate assistants and approximately 90-100 tutors, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services Mike Jenkins oversees a group of devoted educators whose aim is to help the student-athlete in every way possible, from the choice of courses through the completion of a degree.

A $50,000 gift from Amherst Process Instruments (Trent Poole, UMass '73, API Vice President) made possible the opening of the UMass Athletic Academic Enhancement Center in May of 1996. The facility, located on the second floor of Boyden Building, provides a work study room complete with 12 Macintosh computers, three LaserWriter printers and 15 study tables which can accomodate 50 student-athletes at one time.

In spring 1997, a similar facility was opened in the study room of the William D. Mullins Center with eight Macintosh computers and two LaserWriter printers.

The Alumni Association further enhanced the academic facilities available to student-athletes this fall with a $30,000 donation that provided for a computer study room in the football facility building as well as portable computers for student-athletes use on the road. T

he results in the classroom for UMass student-athletes have been as eye-opening as those on the field of competition. During the 1998-99 academic year, UMass had a league-high 31 Academic All-Conference selections, well ahead of runner-up Duquesne (25). This marked the fifth consecutive year UMass has posted the highest number of student athletes chosen for the Atlantic 10 All-Academic team. In the 1996-97 year, Massachusetts placed a league-record 35 student-athletes on the Atlantic 10 All-Academic squad. UMass had a school-record 308 student athletes (44.25%) who reached the 3.0 plateau in the spring 1999 semester. This is the seventh time in the last ten semesters UMass student-athletes have set a new record.

UMass student-athletes are making their academic mark on the national scene, as well. Last year, Massachusetts posted a total of 24 Academic All-Americans. The school also had 10 of its own earn a spot on the GTE/CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors Association of America) Academic All-District I team during the 1998-99 year. The goal at UMass is simple. On and off the field, provide our student-athletes the tools they need to succeed.

GTE / CoSIDA Academic All-America (two selections)

  • Gabriel Marrero fall/winter at-large, men's water polo (1st team)
  • Mike Wynne, football (2nd team)

GTE / CoSIDA Academic All-District (10 selections)

  • Travis Veracka, baseball
  • Sarah Hirsch fall/winter at-large, cross country (2nd team)
  • Brian Smith, football
  • Mike Wynne, football
  • Jeff LaVallee fall/winter at-large, men's gymnastics
  • Steven Pryor fall/winter at-large, men's gymnastics (2nd team)
  • Mandy Mosby fall/winter at-large, women's gymnastics
  • Ben Baraldi spring at-large, men's track & field(2nd team)
  • Vic Morency spring at-large, men's track & field(2nd team)
  • Gabriel Marrero fall/winter at-large, men's water polo

Coaches Academic All-America (24 selections)

  • Francesca Beaudoin, women's crew
  • Gwen Callahan, women's crew
  • Sara Pragluski, women's crew
  • Lucy Koch, field hockey
  • Chrissy Milbauer, field hockey
  • Patty Robinson, field hockey
  • J.J. Hershey, men's gymnastics
  • Jeff LaVallee, men's gymnastics
  • Bryan McNulty, men's gymnastics
  • Matt Plumser, men's gymnastics
  • Stephen Pryor, men's gymnastics
  • Dan Young, men's gymnastics
  • Amy Caputo, women's gymnastics
  • Betsy Colucci, women's gymnastics
  • Jobi Goldberg, women's gymnastics
  • Mary Moore, women's gymnastics
  • Mandy Mosby, women's gymnastics
  • Thomas Holden, men's skiing
  • Sophie Lecot, women's soccer
  • Chad Filiault, men's water polo
  • Gabriel Marrero, men's water polo
  • Laurie Edwards, women's water polo
  • Marci Hupp, women's water polo
  • Sarah Newall, women's water polo
  • Katie Mayer, women's water polo