Successfully balancing academics and athletics is no easy feat. However, if you look at the lengthy list of accomplishments that our student-athletes achieved in the last year, you may think otherwise.
Hard Work Pays Off During the 2018-19 Academic Year
Since the fall of 2016, Endicott College has held the top spot on the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Fall and Spring Academic All-Conference lists for its student-athletes’ academic achievements—setting a new school record with 107 student-athletes named to the spring list.
Mutually-Beneficial Partnership with the Division of Academic Success
In order to set student-athletes up for success, Endicott’s Division of Academic Success closely collaborates with coaches to facilitate a relationship where student-athletes make academics their top priority and are familiar with the resources that are available to help them succeed.
“The Division of Academic Success has been invaluable for my team. The players know to ask for help when they need it and have learned time-management skills which are essential for being a NCAA Division III athlete.”
—Paul McGonagle, Endicott football head coach
“Our services are essential to student-athletes as they navigate through their courses by aiming to manage their time, as well as think critically about the content within their major. We support student-athletes through our energetic staff members who create an environment that communicates that balance is possible,” shares Director of the Tutoring Center, Brittany Potter ’16 M’17.
Not only do student-athletes utilize the resources that the Division of Academic Success provides, but 33 percent of peer tutors in the Tutoring & Writing Centers are in fact student-athletes.
As a former Endicott women’s tennis student-athlete, Potter recognizes the tough balance of being an athlete, a student, and a member of the College community. “We provide our student-athlete peer tutors with flexibility surrounding their hours. If they have practice or a tournament to attend, they are able to reschedule their tutoring hours for another day.” These accommodations are communicated to all peer tutors who take time out of their busy schedules to help classmates, not just student-athletes.
Head Football Coach, Paul McGonagle, is a big advocate for student support services after seeing the positive effects they had on his team. “The Division of Academic Success has been invaluable for my team,” he says. “The players know to ask for help when they need it and have learned time-management skills which are essential for being a NCAA Division III athlete.”
In the 2018-19 academic year, the Tutoring & Writing Centers had a record-breaking 10,000 visits. Potter attributes these numbers to the center’s welcoming environment, where the stigma that once surrounded tutoring is no longer present.