Sears ranks student athletes second
Erin Piroutek
Sports Writer
Although fall sports teams are just beginning to amass victories, Notre DameÕs student-athletes have already earned academic honors. Among the top 25 athletic programs according to the Sears Directors Cup which ranks overall success of athletic programs based on a point system for all sports, Notre DameÕs 88 percent student-athlete graduation rate is the second highest. Duke leads the rankings with a 91 pecent graduation rate, according to NCAA data.
Since the early 60s, Academic Services for Student-Athletes has taken responsiblitiy for guiding athletes to graduation in four years.
ÒWe monitor very carefully all student-athletes,Ó said Kate Halischak, director of Academic Services for Student-Athletes.
Notre DameÕs system is different than that at other major institutions, said assistant athletic directory John Heisler.
ÒIs a unique entity because it isnÕt part of the athletic department. Actually they report to the provostÕs office,Ó said Heisler.
Although student-athletes receive separate advising and tutoring services, they still have to meet the same academic standards as non-athletes.
ÒExpectations of the student-athlete at Notre Dame arenÕt going to be any different than for any other student,Ó Heisler said.
Additionally, the general atmosphere at Notre Dame is focused on progress towards graduation Ñ unlike many schools where students often take five or six years to graduate.
ÒThe vast majority of people who are admitted here will graduate here, athletes or non-athlete, and theyÕll graduate in four years,Ó Heisler said.
Success at graduation begins before the athletes even set foot on campus.
Notre Dame makes an effort to recruit student-athletes who will thrive in Notre DameÕs challenging academic program.
ÒWhen coaches go out and recruit, they all Ñ regardless of the sport Ñ make a genuine effort to bring people here who can be successful,Ó Halischak said. ÒThey go out and recruit students who want to be here.Ó
Halischak noted that statistics donÕt completely illustrate the success of Notre Dame student-athletes, since the NCAA statistics only reflect scholarship athletes. For example, the menÕs lacrosse program, which doesnÕt offer scholarships, isnÕt included in the figures.
HalischakÕs research suggests that when non-scholarship athletes are also included, the athletesÕ academic profile is similar to the student body in general.
ÒWhen you look at all of our student-athletes we are very similar [in graduation rate] to the University average,Ó Halischak said.
Notre Dame has consistently been a national leader in athlete graduation rates.
ÒThis isnÕt something that just started,Ó Heisler said.
Since 1962, when records begin, 98.6 percent of scholarship football players who stayed here for at least four years have graduated.
MenÕs basketball boasts a 100 percent graduation rate since 1962. All 107 scholarship players who stayed four years graduated.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, August 24, 2000
