Giving student-athletes opportunities to achieve academic excellence was a recurring theme at this year’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum held in New York City this week.
How do colleges and universities make sure that student-athletes are having the best possible academic experiences? At Syracuse University it is a matter of careful and detailed conversations between student-athletes, coaches, professors and advisors. 
At the session Balancing Academics and Athletics: An Amateurism Case Study from Syracuse University, assistant provost for student-athlete academic development Tommy Powell said before practice and training schedules are set for a season, the coaches look at the overall course schedules and work from there, rather than constantly asking student-athletes to design course schedules around pre-designated practices.
Dr. Michele Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost of Syracuse, said it’s very important that sports and academics are integrated.
“We have to embrace that and we have to find ways to work together,” Wheatly said. “We have to re-emphasize that we give athletes a pathway to a bright career. It’s really important for me as the chief academic officer to make sure they [have] the same opportunities as any other student.”
She added, “It’s important how our coaches and coaching staff behave. They all talk about academics in conversation. They set the tone.”
Athletic director John Wildhack’s office is situated in the academic center for student-athletes, so it’s clear on a daily basis what the culture is in the athletic department. Powell said it’s important for student-athletes to feel a connection to the Syracuse campus beyond the athletic department.
