Student Athlete Handbook 2023-2024 NCAA Eligibility Review
Student-Athlete Development provides the necessary resources to assist student-athletes in reaching their full potential academically, athletically, personally, and professionally. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment for all student-athletes to successfully attain their degrees while developing the skills necessary to become efficient learners, act with integrity, serve as leaders within the community, and accomplish their future goals.
Our services include:
- Monitoring academic progress and NCAA eligibility of student-athletes while working closely with the Registrar's office;
- Providing guidance and mentoring to support academic success;
- Preparing educational plans for student-athletes with identified academic challenges through individual meetings and workshops;
- Planning and implementing support services to meet the needs of under-prepared student-athletes and those with diagnosed learning disabilities;
- Serving as the athletic department liaison with faculty, coaches, and support units on matters pertaining to the academic progress of student-athletes, life skills training, and improving student-athlete welfare;
- Monitor academic progress of student-athletes in their courses
Academics are our first priority at University of the Pacific, and we're proud of our student-athletes' performances in the classroom. For the 2020-21 academic year, our student-athletes achieved:
- 3.30 Team GPA Average
- 62 student-athletes received a 4.0
- 163 student-athletes were named to the Dean's Honor Roll
Athletics Academic Services
Study Hall
Incoming Student-Athletes are required to complete at least 5 hours of study hall per week. After one semester at Pacific, student-athletes that have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or below are required to continue to complete 5 hours of study hall per week. Coaches and/or staff have the option of making individual or team adjustments to study hall requirements.
Academic Mentors (Available to all student-athletes; mandatory for pre-selected student-athletes whose academic profile is marginal and/or coach recommendation)
Academic Mentors conduct one-on-one thirty-minute meetings either weekly or bi-weekly with student-athletes. During these meetings, mentors go over academic progress (including recent assignments, projects, and exams), study skills, develop long-term plans using semester calendar, syllabi and supplemental class documents, review class notes, and ensure student-athlete is attending tutoring sessions, visiting the writing center, meeting with professors, etc. Weekly reports are submitted by the mentors to coaches after each session.
Writing Center and General Academic Tutoring Center (GATC)
The University's Writing Center and General Academic Tutoring Center provide additional academic support for all students. The GATC has tutors available in a variety of disciplines in addition to those available through the athletic department. Study skills sessions are also available through the Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Services to assist students in such areas as time management, as well as test and note taking skills.
Missed Class Letters
At the beginning of every semester, each student-athlete receives an official letter developed by the Student-Athlete Development staff, which lists the dates of scheduled competition that will conflict with that student's class sessions. It is the student-athlete's responsibility to present each of his or her professors with the appropriate letter and remind the professors of scheduled absences as they approach. Providing travel letters to faculty allows student-athletes to engage in conversation with their professors regarding their athletic participation and the impact on class progress (i.e., missed class, assignments, exams, etc.). Student-athletes should make every effort to make up any work missed as a result of said absences.
Priority Registration
Student-athletes currently have priority registration based on class standing. Each semester, student-athletes must register at their scheduled registration time. If there is a time conflict with class/practice/competition, please notify the Student-Athlete Development Staff.
Life Skills Programs and Workshops
The NCAA Life Skills program is designed to address the "total development" of the student-athlete. It is a well-rounded plan for students to develop individual skills necessary to lead a successful, productive life and become leaders and contributors to the community and the nation. The program consists of five components: academic excellence, athletic excellence, career development, personal development, and service. To encourage student-athletes to be well-rounded and grow both academically and personally, Pacific requires that every student-athlete attends one (1) Life Skills workshop that interests them in addition to the mandatory Life Skills program each academic year.
Career Services Center (CSC)
The Career Services Center, located on the second floor of the McCaffrey Center, support students in developing and achieving career goals and offers various services, including career advising, graduate school planning, resume and cover letter writing assistance and direct linkage to opportunities with employers/Pacific alumni. The Career Services Center is dedicated to assisting current and former Pacific student-athletes in the transition from college to career. The Career Services Center works closely with Pacific Athletics to provide student-athletes with numerous resources such as special career workshops designed specifically for student-athletes every semester. Career Advisors will also work with each team annually to help student-athletes update or start their resumes and review interviewing tips.
Links to Additional Academic Information:
Pacific Athletics Student-Athlete Development and Compliance Staff
Leslie Chang
Associate Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Development & Compliance/SWA
209-946-2307
lchang2@pacific.edu
Justine Brown-DaCosta
Director of Student-Athlete Development
(209) 932-2877
jbrowndacosta@pacific.edu
Hunter Konecny-Pena
Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development
209-946-3976
hkonecnypena@pacific.edu
Julius Jefferson
Student-Athlete Development Operations Specialist
jjefferson@pacific.edu
Wendy Cornwall
Director of Compliance
(209) 946-2934
wcornwall@pacific.edu
Caitlin Mathews
Coordinator of Compliance
cmathews1@pacific.edu
Balint Sztaray
Faculty Athletic Representative
209-946-2654
far@pacific.edu
