Fresno State Athletics
New Academic Standard Announced For Athletics
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July 24, 2003
FRESNO, Calif.- Fresno State Athletics Director Scott Johnson announced two actions designed to improve the academic success of the university's student-athletes and improve graduation rates.
The Fresno State Athletics Department now has a new reporting line for its athletics Academic Services unit. Beginning this fall the unit will report jointly to the Athletics Director's Office and the Office of the Provost. The provost is the chief academic official of the university, second only to the university president. Previously the athletics Academic Services unit reported solely to the athletics director.
Also, in the past, some had criticized the university for signing academically non-qualifying high school students. Effective immediately that practice will end.
Last year only eight non-qualifiers were admitted to Fresno State. Non-qualifiers represented only 1.2 percent of all Fresno State student-athletes.
"These two measures clearly strengthen our academic program," said Johnson. "Our athletics department and university are committed to the highest standards. We will always strive for ways to help our student-athletes to succeed in the classroom and, with that success, improve our graduation rates."
Fresno State's athletics Academic Services unit will be strengthened with a new link to the Provost's office, specifically in the areas of tutoring and academic advising.
Academic support services will continue to be available to student-athletes. Fresno State already has gained national attention for its "Academic Game Plan," which provides personal and academic accountability strategies to help student-athletes succeed in the classroom. The program, developed by assistant football coach John Baxter, has been adopted and put into practice at a number of other universities across the country.
"We are making a strong statement about the importance of academic standards at Fresno State and I know this policy will enhance our academic success and graduation rates," said Johnson. "Our coaches have done an admirable job in the past with non-qualified students and worked very hard to see that they have had every opportunity to succeed. At this time, however, it's in our best interest as a university and athletics department to adopt this new policy."
Academic non-qualifiers, commonly referred to as "Prop 48" or "props," are students who do not meet the minimum academic requirements set by the NCAA to be eligible for scholarship or competition as true freshmen. Non-qualifiers are not allowed to participate or receive athletic aid in their first year of college. After satisfactorily meeting requirements in their first year, they are eligible to receive athletic scholarships and join teams in their second year.
Johnson said he consulted with a variety of faculty, coaching staff members and athletics department staff in the development of the new policy, noting that there is broad support for the changes.