Spring Break
Athletes discuss time management issues
Threat of fines to promote attendance
PETER STEINBAUER
Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Being a University athlete, if nothing else, takes time.
Even in February, football team members are waking up at 4 a.m. for heavy conditioning.
On Tuesday, nine University athletes answered questions about time management and their University academic experience.
The NCAA requires the University Council Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics to meet once a year with athletes and athletic academic support counselors.
The committee is comprised of faculty members from colleges around the University.
One committee member asked the four football players in attendance if they ever have problems staying awake in class after getting up for heavy conditioning at 4 a.m.
"I think we have a pretty good understanding that that is something we can't do," wide receiver Mikey Henderson said. He added the heavy schedule is the necessary price to pay in honoring an athletic scholarship.
The Athletic Association has taken steps to counteract the negative image created when poor graduation rates were released this fall. Discussion revolved around athletes' roles as students at the University.
The Athletic Association recently implemented a new academic attendance policy with a twist.
Formerly, punishment for missing academic sessions and classes was left to coaches' discretion.
Athletes now are fined $10 on their second unexcused absence from meetings with an academic counselor or tutor. Each absence after the first for the rest of the semester results in an additional $10 fine.
When athletes miss three or more classes in a semester, they will be suspended for 10 percent of competition and must meet with the University athletic director.
"It's a pace-setting approach," University Provost for Academic Affairs Jere Morehead said, adding Florida is the only other Southeastern Conference institution with such a policy.
Track and field team member Ross Ridgewell told the committee he thinks the new policy will work.
"I have no money already," he said.
Nathan Rolfe, also a track and field team member, agreed. Athletes often skipped class, he said, because the negative consequences for doing so were not extreme enough.
Defensive linemen Kade Weston and Jeff Owens also represented the football team, as well as wide receiver Kris Durham.
Volleyball player Anjelica Partridge, golfer Whitney Wade and basketball player Mike Mercer also attended.
Even in February, football team members are waking up at 4 a.m. for heavy conditioning.
On Tuesday, nine University athletes answered questions about time management and their University academic experience.
The NCAA requires the University Council Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics to meet once a year with athletes and athletic academic support counselors.
The committee is comprised of faculty members from colleges around the University.
One committee member asked the four football players in attendance if they ever have problems staying awake in class after getting up for heavy conditioning at 4 a.m.
"I think we have a pretty good understanding that that is something we can't do," wide receiver Mikey Henderson said. He added the heavy schedule is the necessary price to pay in honoring an athletic scholarship.
The Athletic Association has taken steps to counteract the negative image created when poor graduation rates were released this fall. Discussion revolved around athletes' roles as students at the University.
The Athletic Association recently implemented a new academic attendance policy with a twist.
Formerly, punishment for missing academic sessions and classes was left to coaches' discretion.
Athletes now are fined $10 on their second unexcused absence from meetings with an academic counselor or tutor. Each absence after the first for the rest of the semester results in an additional $10 fine.
When athletes miss three or more classes in a semester, they will be suspended for 10 percent of competition and must meet with the University athletic director.
"It's a pace-setting approach," University Provost for Academic Affairs Jere Morehead said, adding Florida is the only other Southeastern Conference institution with such a policy.
Track and field team member Ross Ridgewell told the committee he thinks the new policy will work.
"I have no money already," he said.
Nathan Rolfe, also a track and field team member, agreed. Athletes often skipped class, he said, because the negative consequences for doing so were not extreme enough.
Defensive linemen Kade Weston and Jeff Owens also represented the football team, as well as wide receiver Kris Durham.
Volleyball player Anjelica Partridge, golfer Whitney Wade and basketball player Mike Mercer also attended.
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