Tuesday, 31 January 2012 00:09

In Our Opinion: Student athletes hit mark in classroom

By The Daily Gamecock, viewpoints@dailygamecock.com
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Gamecock athletes have been making great strides both on and off the field recently.

University statistics show that athletes competing in sports and the classroom have been making marked improvements in their grade performance.

The all-athlete GPA now stands at a 3.2, marking the 10th consecutive semester that this statistic was above a 3.0. And while it’s important to note that there are certain sports and athletes that have noticeably better grades than others, overall, we’re impressed with the end result.

With that said, it’s important to point out that student athletes are graced with many free and complementary aids specifically tailored to their needs.

Perks ranging from tutors designated for athletes to a brand-new facility dedicated to athletic academics — the Dodie — athletes certainly have their fair, if not more than fair, share of tools at their disposal to succeed in the classroom.

It’s good to hear that these tools are being put to use and that athletes haven’t lost the true focus of college and realize that an education comes first. At the end of the day, most college students walk off the field and into an office building, utilizing their degree towards a career rather than their athletic abilities.

So, while sports statistics are usually the ones prone to scrutiny, whether it be the latest sack total on the field or drop-in time in the water, it’s refreshing to see continued improvement in the classroom as well.

With full rides and a $12.6 million facility backing them, we sure hope our athletes aren’t striking out in class.

Last modified on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 00:20

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Out of the following options being considered, which musical act would you most like to see Carolina Productions bring to campus next semester?

Goo Goo Dolls - 25.4%
Fun. - 17.7%
Ben Folds Five - 14.4%
Gavin DeGraw - 11.3%
Cobra Starship - 6%
Snow Patrol - 7.3%
Other/None of the Above - 17.9%

Total votes: 1952
The voting for this poll has ended on: 26 Apr 2012 - 13:08