I’ve heard great things about the progress the Ohio State football program has made in recent years on the academic front. After last season, for example, 23 football players were awarded academic All Big Ten honors — the most in the league.

I played for Jim Tressel in the early 80’s and know he has a genuine commitment to academic excellence. But just having a commitment to academic excellence doesn’t raise GPA’s. You have to implement policies, procedures and programs to encourage — and sometimes coerce — 18 and 19 year old kids to give as much effort in the classroom as they do on the field.

I was curious to see for myself what Ohio State was doing to drive the positive results. So I recently had lunch with David Graham, the director of Student-Athlete Support Services (SASSO) and John Macko, an Athletic Academic Counselor.

Here’s a sample of some things that have been implemented in recent years:

  1. Team Academic Meetings. The team gathers for mandatory information sessions on topics that include instructor progress reports, tutor requests for finals, major declarations and Student Athlete Advisory Board updates.
  2. Football Academic Accountability Plan. Players are held accountable for attending classes, study table and tutor appointments. A point system with disciplinary consequences ensures compliance.
  3. Life Skills Classes (EDU PAES 263). Players get the opportunity to take a personal development course specifically designed for college athletes. Topics include communication skills, life skills, nutrition and stress management.
  4. Positive Transitions (EDU PAES 315). Players near the end of their eligibility are encouraged to take a life-skills course designed to facilitate their personal and career adjustment.
  5. Younkin Success Center. Student-athletes have access to a state-of-the-art facility run by a unique University collaborative. The YSC provides study space and offers a wide variety of services including tutoring and personal financial counseling.

The University also offers a degree completion program for former players. They receive a full tuition waiver and academic support as long as they meet the minimum criteria. Ohio State leads the country in degree completion.

More information is available on these programs in the SASSO informational guide.

After seeing these initiatives in action, it’s not surprising that they’re successful. The simple desire to make something happen isn’t enough. All good programs have to be accompanied by and structured with clear objectives, meaningful metrics, continuous monitoring and unambiguous accountability. All of those things are in place at Ohio State.

I’d give Coach Tressel, SASSO and the Athletic Department an “A” on this one.

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