January 8, 2021 Â |Â Lynchburg, Va.Â
Club Sports student-athletes maintain a healthy balance between their respective classrooms and playing fields.
Liberty University’s 624 Club Sports student-athletes maintained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.27 for the Fall 2020 semester — down from this past spring’s record-setting 3.34 average, but slightly better than the previous fall.
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“Student-athletes faced so much more this semester with (new COVID-19 protocols) so we are really proud of their performances in the classroom,” Club Sports Director of Academic Advancement Sarah Kelly said. “The dynamic of switching between residential and online classes when in quarantine was a challenge, but they did well overall.”
A total of 37 of 41 Club Sports teams posted cumulative GPAs above 3.0. The Liberty’s gymnastics team once again posted the highest cumulative GPA at 3.72, followed by the Lady Flames’ synchronized skating team (3.54) and the ACHA Division I men’s hockey team (3.48). Individually, 284 student-athletes landed on the dean’s list for GPAs of 3.5 or better, including 118 with a 4.0 or higher.Â
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Kelly said due to social distancing requirements, Club Sports was not able to provide the study hall space out of the LaHaye Ice Center, headquarters for she and her academic support team staff that includes Assistant Director of Academic Advancement Donna Holland and Compliance Coordinator Emily Hughes.
“All of my staff had to really pull their weight this semester, and they did a phenomenal job,” Kelly said. “Hopefully, we will be able to relaunch our study hall program next fall. This semester, we will continue to provide a mentoring program and offer more one-on-one sessions with students.”
Club Sports has four mentors this semester, including graduate assistants Chase Talley and Michael Niederer, a forward on the ACHA Division II men’s hockey team. They work around student-athletes’ schedules to offer time-management tips and strategies for improving academic performance.
Additionally, Kelly and her staff connect student-athletes with online tutors through the College of Applied Sciences and Academic Success (CASAS).
