Support program monitors freshman athletes' academics

Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part series on athletes and academics. Today's story focuses on support services at the University.

By NAINA NARAYANA
Collegian Sports Writer

When Lion wrestler Adam Myers first came to the University last fall, the thought of balancing a varsity sport with college courses seemed staggering.

Handling long hours of practice, games and classes can sometimes be difficult to balance, Myers (freshmen-premedicine) said.

"I don't think there's any way you can't be (overwhelmed)," he added.

When he came to Penn State on his recruiting visit, Myers said he had some apprehensions. But after meeting some people who work at Penn State's Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes, he said he felt better.

At the center, freshmen athletes are assigned to individual advisers who help them with their schoolwork, class scheduling, graduation plans and choosing a career. The athletes still have an adviser from their college.

Individual tutoring is also offered to the athletes. Kate McKenna, math tutor for freshmen football players, said she got involved in tutoring through her brother's adviser at the center. Her brother Dan is a former member of the Penn State basketball team.

Before becoming a tutor, McKenna (sophomore-finance) said she had to undergo a training session to learn about communicating with the athletes and relating to them, which she later found to be beneficial, she said.

"Their time is so precious," McKenna said. "By the time they get to study hall, they're so tired they can hardly keep their eyes open."

Most of the students she tutors in study hall are thankful for study hall because it gives them a set time they are forced to study, McKenna said, adding there are even some older players who wish they still had to attend the study halls.

Myers said he also took a two-credit elective course geared toward student-athletes which discussed eligibility requirements and resume building. Athletes can also take a one-credit course -- values and health -- which deals with awareness of health issues and setting goals.

In addition to the courses, freshmen athletes must attend mandatory weekly study halls, Myers said. All first-semester student-athletes must attend 10 hours a week of study halls which are monitored by coaches, upperclassmen or team managers.

For wrestlers, study hall attendance is required for their first two semesters, Myers said. At first, going to study halls made him feel better about his studies, but at times, it can feel like a burden, he added.

Myers said the two hours a night of study halls can sometimes take him away from other study groups in his classes or prevent him from studying when he wants.

If a student-athlete has another commitment during study halls, he or she has to fill out a conflict form which explains why he or she cannot attend, Myers said.

"It gets to be kind of a pain sometimes," he added.

Wrestling Coach John Fritz said study halls are sometimes a source of conflict for him.

"I am a firm believer that you have to put the responsibility on the student-athlete," he added.

Fritz said he would like it if his wrestlers did not need to attend mandatory study halls. But when they come in as freshmen, some of them are not mature enough to do everything on their own.

"Some of our guys go over 10 hours a week (to study hall) because they've proven that they need it," Fritz said, adding the support center has done so much that he would like to see the athletes take more responsibility.

But still, Fritz said he is proud of Penn State's student-athlete support system and constantly stresses he doesn't want his team to be one-sided.

Fritz always stresses that at the University, student-athletes are taught to excel in their sport and academics and -- most importantly --be an overall good person, he added.

"I tell them to be, No. 1, a good person," Fritz said, "No. 2, a good student, and No. 3, a good wrestler."