Performing well academically is an expectation of student-athletes who wear the Buccaneer uniform. Not only aretime management skills and self-discipline musts, but also dedication and commitment are needed from each individual student to maintain eligibility and progress toward graduation. ETSU Athletics provides many resources to assist the student-athlete in becoming the “total person.” The staff not only advises students in scheduling classes and academic progress, but also in the areas of group and individual tutoring, community service, career and personal counseling and life skill programming.

In the spring of 2003, the new Bill G. Humphreys CHAMPS Life Skills Center opened on the second floor of the Memorial Center. Student-athletes have access to a state-of-the-art computer center and classroom that features Dell flat-screen and Macintosh G4 computers. In addition, the center utilizes wireless Internet technology and has full multimedia capability.

ETSU is an active participant in the NCAA CHAMPS program. Through this model, seminars are offered to help students maneuver their way through the maze of college life. Student-athletes are required to attend an array of educational seminars, including alcohol abuse awareness, study skills, career planning, leadership development, eating disorders, domestic violence and sexual assault prevention. Many of these sessions are developed “in-house” through the Academic Services and Life Skills program office, but the emphasis has been on building connections across campus. The goal of the entire campus network is to make sure that student-athletes are aware and utilize the resources and programs that are available to them.

ETSU’s Director of Academic Services, Bob Baker, has developed several programs that help Buccaneer athletes adjust to the rigors of college life. One of those programs is Buccaneer Basics, a series of seminars that explores common issues that affect today’s student-athlete.

“We focus on the entire student-athlete,” said Baker. “We look at things such as nutrition, time management, financial management and career planning. We are giving the student the tools to succeed in college and in life.”

The seminars are designed by consulting with school administration, coaching staffs, professional staff and the student-athletes to identify problems that face Buccaneer athletes.

The Humphreys Center for student-athletes is the home of our academic support services. Programming and services include:

• Academic Advising
• Individual and Group Tutoring
• Academic Mentoring
• Life Skills Instruction
• Full-time Learning Specialist for special needs students
• College Adjustment courses for new student-athletes
• Professional Development and Career Preparation seminars for upperclass student-athletes
• Priority Class Registration
• Two Study Hall facilities including a state of the art computer lab

ETSU student–athletes consistently rank higher academically than the regular ETSU student body in terms of GPA and graduation rates. The ETSU coaching staff and entire athletic department are committed to assisting our students in achieving academic excellence and in paving the road to bright futures.
Bob Baker, Director of Academic Services Maya McCoy, Learning Specialist Jeannie Dillman, Learning Consultant

Learning Specialist	Director of Academic Services

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