Strategies to Support Student Athletes

Date of session: 1-31-2025

Presented by:

• Anna Carmon, IU Columbus
• McKenzie Cooper, IU Columbus
• Zach McClellan, IU Columbus

Strategies to Support Student Athletes is part of the IU Columbus Center for Teaching and Learning 2024-2025 Student Success Series.

The goal for this session is to enhance faculty and staff awareness around the unique challenges and circumstances of our student athletes. This session offers an opportunity to build positive and supportive relationships.

Athletics programme overview

Zach McClellan – Director of Athletics:

• IU Columbus athletics were introduced approximately 3 years ago as a means to stabilize enrollment following the pandemic and to enhance diversity
• NAIA membership was a more affordable option and more attainable than NCAA membership
  • Today, there are 13 IU Columbus teams playing in the River States Conference
• Athletics enables IU Columbus to recruit student athletes beyond our region
• Athletics has created a positive culture and a sense of community spirit
• The community can support athletics by welcoming student athletes and helping them feel a sense of belonging
• Athletes are brand ambassadors for IU Columbus – they work here, live and learn here, and volunteer here

McKenzie Cooper – Athletics Operations Coordinator/SID:

• IU Columbus student athletes are here to get a degree – education is a priority
• Athletes are required to enroll in at least 12 credit hours; 9 for graduate students
• Athletes must be familiar with expectations outlined in the Player Handbook
  • Athletes must sign a Player Contract agreeing to follow handbook criteria
• Student athletes participate in Study Tables for at least one semester (5 hours/week for freshmen; 3 hours/week for transfers)
  • Additional Study Table hours may be required if GPA drops below 2.5
• Student athletes are required to volunteer in the community (e.g., event setup)
  • 3,000 volunteer hours already during 2024-2025 academic year
• 64 student athletes were on the fall 2024-2025 Dean’s List

Anna Carmon – Faculty Athletic Representative:

• Represents athletics/student athletes in Faculty Senate regarding policies like class absences and Study Table requirements
• Monitors student athlete grades
• Recommend academic resources for coaches
• Answers faculty questions

Student Athlete Panel

Panel members:

• Lily Culp (Softball)
• Jada Day (Women’s Soccer)
• Nathan Pickett (Men’s Basketball)
• Tarron White (Baseball)

What is the best part of being a student and student athlete at IU Columbus?

• Continuing to be on a team playing the sports we love
• Getting a Big 10 degree
• Being welcomed on the campus and in the community
• Having a group of friends (teammates and other athletes) outside of class
• Small school environment where I get to know faculty members

What is the most challenging part of being a student and student athlete at IU Columbus?

• Conditions at the Annex are challenging – HVAC functioning improperly causing health/safety concerns
• Time management with practice, travel, and games – difficult to find the necessary time to study and meet due dates for assignments and exams
  • Use time on the bus to do homework
• Two-a-day practices while working part-time
• Expenses including food, gas, rent
• Routinely lean on friends and teammates to connect with resources, answers, and solutions
• There are many positives around being a student athlete, but also acknowledge the potential impact on one’s mental health
• Faculty experience frustration when athletes miss class
• Though I enjoy in-person classes, online classes offer more flexibility

What do you want faculty and staff to know about your experiences as a student – who also happens to be an athlete?

• Student athletes take pride in their respective sports AND in their education
• To understand/acknowledge how hard we work/how much we try to meet athletic and academic expectations
• Continue to extend grace toward student athletes and offer flexibility when/where possible
  • Offer help when classes are missed
• Understand the emotional toll of navigating wins, losses, fatigue, team dynamics
• Practices – in addition to travel and games – may overlap with classes
  • Students face difficult decisions about missing practice and the impact on playing time

Within reason, what are some ways faculty and staff can support you on your academic journey even as you also fulfill your commitment to your sport/your team?

• Meeting with advisors is very helpful – they advocate for students
• Student athletes can/should respectfully advocate for themselves
• Communication is KEY

General comments:

• Our student athletes are HUMANS – not simply “student athletes”
• Self-motivation and discipline can be challenging
• Accountability – for ourselves and each other – is critical
• Schedule academic advising early to arrange your class schedule (as much as possible) to accommodate practice and game times
• Some teammates don’t share their challenges/struggles
  • If we know, we can support one another
  • There is mental health counseling available
  • We often tutor and help teammates and other student athletes – study buddies
  • Encourage a goal to make the Dean’s List
• We have positive experiences connecting with non-athletes – like on group projects and having non-athlete roommates
• It takes time to build a healthy athletics culture
  • Veteran athletes serve as role models for newer athletes
  • Student athletes are expected to sit in the front row in class
• If not for athletics – some would not be attending college anywhere
• The strategic location of Columbus and the safe “feel” of the community are unique and appreciated
  • Everything is quite close around town
  • Not too much to do (which can help limit distractions and save gas), although there are more options than in some smaller home communities
  • Connections/outreach to local companies – e.g., Bowling Club
  • Some may choose to live/work here after graduation
• A welcoming attitude on campus and in the community helps with recruiting and retaining student athletes
• Encourage campus colleagues and community to attend events
• Expand community awareness and connections – students as IU Columbus “brand ambassadors” (e.g., swag)
• Due to the competitive nature – some student athletes may be extroverted in class
• IU Columbus students are mostly from Columbus, while student athletes come from all over
• Finances are challenging for student athletes and for athletic programs
  • $500 student scholarships
    • May earn tuition discount based on GPA
  • Many student athletes work 20-30 hours a week
  • Fundraising expectations for program sustainability and growth and to support student athletes
  • More athletic funding/budget support enables competitive recruitment as programs mature/evolve
  • Campus flexes scholarship and transfer scholarship deadlines to accommodate recruitment schedules/timelines
  • Ongoing need for adequate facilities, student athlete housing and scholarships