Student Athletes Make University History with Highest Cumulative GPA

By: Dalton Tevlin/Assistant Sports Director

Student athletes this semester have made history with the highest cumulative athletic GPA in the University, according to Anthony DeSantis, the assistant vice president of Student Affairs.

The cumulative GPA for athletics this semester is a 3.28, according to DeSantis, and is expected to continue increasing.

The driving factor behind the student-athletes’ performance in the classroom is the Student Athlete Academic Center.

“At FIU SAAC, we work every day to ensure our student-athletes have the support they need based on their strengths and areas of improvement,” said Wesley Mass, assistant vice president of SAAC. “We run a Objective Based Directed Study program that emphasizes engaged learning, time management skills, and communication to assure that our students have the tools they need to be successful in their major of choice.”

Resources such as tutoring, major specific advisors, and heavy academic focus from the coaches at FIU all push student athletes to succeed on the field and in the classroom, he said.

Katrina Petrovic, the coach for the University’s women’s tennis team, said she encourages her players to use the resources SAAC provides to FIU students.

The team’s players are from different countries and Petrovic wants them to be comfortable in their environment.

“Our girls have great support from SAAC with tutoring so it makes the transition much easier for them,” she said.

The team has earned the highest women’s team GPA for the fall 2018 semester with a 3.85.

FIU athletics has made it a goal to have athletes perform just as well in-game as in the classroom.

“Coach Petrovic recruits absolutely stellar student-athletes with a laser like focus for success both in the classroom and on the court,” said Mass.  

With the coaches continuing to recruit and encouraging hardworking and driven athletes to use the resources offered by SAAC, Mass said they can look forward to continuing success in games and in class.

“Our coaches continue to recruit extremely talented and hard working student-athletes…and I am excited about the future success of our student athlete in the classroom.”