University of Florida Student-Athletes

by Keith Carodine, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Athletics Director-Academic

Student-athletes are a diverse and unique student population. They have extensive time demands due to practice and competition in addition to their class and study schedules. Unlike their non- athlete counterparts, they can be subject to severe public scrutiny if they do not perform well in their athletic contests.

Despite their time demands, UF student-athletes have excelled academically and have been committed to community service. In Fall 2010, students in all sports combined accumulated a composite 3.01 GPA. During the 2009-10 academic year, student-athletes completed 4,447 hours of community service. The fall semester was highlighted with Gemma Spofforth (women’s swimming) and Ashley Kerr (gymnastics) being recognized as the University of Florida Outstanding Graduating Senior Female Students at commencement.

Communication between the Office of Student Life (OSL) academic counselors and college advisors is essential to the continued academic success UF’s student-athletes. OSL academic counselors and college advisors must work in collaboration to ensure that student-athletes meet university and NCAA progress toward degree requirements. In addition to college tracking and pre-professional requirements, student-athletes must complete the following minimum requirements at the end of each year to remain eligible to practice, compete, and in some instances receive scholarship assistance:

• 1st year: 24 credits towards designated degree, with 18 earned during fall and spring terms
• 2nd year: 40% of their degree requirements
• 3rd year: 60% of their degree requirements
• 4th year: 80% of their degree requirements

The OSL academic counselors maintain very detailed information about each student-athlete’s learning style and academic strengths and weaknesses, data which can impact class schedules and academic performance. The OSL staff works to communicate this information to college advisors in order to assist in the development of a graduation plan that fits each student-athlete’s needs, meets NCAA academic standards, and fulfills college degree requirements. NCAA progress toward degree rules are very restrictive in terms of allowing student-athletes to change their majors. If student-athletes attempt to change their major, they put themselves at risk of not meeting the correct percentage of completed course requirements listed above and potentially becoming ineligible to compete.

The OSL staff values the working relationship we have with various college advisors and looks forward to continued collaboration to ensure the academic success of UF’s student-athletes. The patience and resourcefulness you have demonstrated has been an invaluable asset to us as we assist student-athletes to complete their college education through to graduation. Questions about issues related to student-athletes should directed to me, Keith Carodine, at 352-375-4683 ext. 5825.