Imagine taking a full 18-hour class schedule, coordinating school projects with classmates, working in order to pay bills, attending practices, and traveling away for games that can sometimes keep you from attending class. Now try to fit a social life, time with your family, time to cook and eat healthy meals into your schedule and it seems nearly impossible. This is an average lifestyle for student-athletes here at UNC-Wilmington, and this semester student-athletes proved nothing can stop them from achieving high grades in the classroom.   

This past fall semester proved to be an outstanding season not only on the field but in the classroom as well. Over 300 student-athletes accumulated a grade point average of 3.213, and 69 percent of the group received at least a 3.00 or higher GPA. Director of Athletics, Jimmy Bass, had nothing but positive words to say in regards to their high achievements.

“We’re extremely proud of the academic accomplishments of our dedicated student-athletes,” said Bass to UNCW Athletics. “These latest figures show that our student-athletes are not only serious about winning championships, they are truly dedicated to their academic pursuits and preparing for the future.”

The women’s golf team showed exceptional focus in their academic work as they recorded the highest team average with a 3.640 GPA, according to UNCW Athletics. Although group projects were among the more difficult of situations to get through, many used resources around campus to help them keep their grades up.

“The most difficult aspect of keeping up my grades as a student-athlete, for me, is coordinating times to meet with groups and work on projects,” said Meghan Theiss, member of the women’s golf team. “I utilize the Student-Athlete Support Services room as a great, convenient place to study, use computers, and print various things for class.”

Women’s cross country came in right behind the women’s golf team with the second highest team average of a 3.505 GPA. Head coach of the women’s cross country team, Layne Schwier, makes note that his job is a lot easier since the women are already high achievers when it comes to academics.

“These girls are already really high achievers coming out of high school,” said Schwier. “We are lucky that we get people who take academics seriously. We rarely worry about the grades of our long distance runners and it takes a big weight off our shoulders.”

Coming in behind the women’s cross country team was the women’s soccer team with a 3.464 average GPA. Senior forward Katrina Guillou of the women’s soccer team finds that she performs better academically during the soccer season than during the off-season due to the steady rhythm she maintains during that time. Guillou also finds support in her teammates.

“One of the reasons I chose UNCW is the fact not only because of the soccer program but also the women’s soccer team’s importance put on their academics,” said Guillou. “I find studying with some of my teammates to be very helpful, especially with someone who may be in the same class with me. We are able to discuss what we have learned and make sure that we understood or did not miss anything.”

As the spring semester kicks off, many are excited to see student-athletes excel not only on the court but in the classroom.