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Show Samantha BranchThe Forum High scoring percentages on the field, in the classroom Quincy Booker StaffWriter ' student-athletat Spring 2010 there were 217 Westminster. Those 217 students made up 15 intercollegiate teams. The group averaged an overall GPA of 3.38, 14 earned perfect 4.0 and 69 of those student-athlett-athletes posted a GPA of 3.5 or higher according to Westminster College Athletics website. Academics are something Westminster is known for. When most Westminster students say where they go the most common first response is you must demonstrate a balance of be smart. Student-athletcommitment to the school and to their sport. I would like to recognize and congratulate our t-athletes on their academic accomplishments this past semester, Westminster Director of Athletics Shay Wyatt said. We are very proud of our student-athletand how they manage their academic priorities and continue to maintain the academic standards set forth by our institution. Alex Drecksel, sophomore majoring in finance, has been on the Westminster Basketball team for two years. You just kinda decide whats most important at a particular time, said Drecksel you cant be a perfect student and a perfect athlete. Basketball related activities takes up at least 20 hours a week. This includes two hours of team practice five- - six days a week, weight training, and personal practice. School always comes first for athletes. Basketball is School is determining the rest of my only four-year- s. said. Drecksel life, The most important thing about balancing school and sports is to stay on top of your school work. If you can you should get ahead in as many classes as you can. Teams will miss several classes over the semester while traveling for games, if youre ahead in class before you leave it doesnt seem so stressful explained Drecksel. To participate in a Westminster athletic team you must take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. You must also maintain a 2.0 GPA. Student athletes are not only held to a higher standard than most students but also have much higher expectations in order to maintain eligibility for the sport in which they play. These athletes are required to put school first and sports second explained Dick Vitale, ESPN intercollegiate reporter. To be eligible for the Frontier academic student-athlet- es must be at least a sophomore in standing, maintain a 3.0 GPA and participate in one half of their teams games. Westminster has now had named academic 99 student-athletin the history of the program according to Westminster College Athletics. In the 2010-1- 1 year, of incoming freshmen received a Westminster scholarship that reoccurs each year. The average freshman scholarship was $10,520. Annual amounts for these awards range from $6,000 ($24,000 over four years) to $14,000 ($56,000 over four years). In addition, Westminster oversees a generous financial aid program: aid includes work-stud- y, grants 98 (both state and federal), and loans. In 2010-201- 1, percent of incoming freshmen received financial aid. The average financial aid award was $22,607 (including and loan money) for regular scholarship, work-stud- y students according to Westminsters website. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced that 67 Division I mens basketball Daktronics-NAI- A players have been named 2009-1- 0 Scholar-Athlete- s. Westminster, a member of the Fron-ti- er Conference, leads the way with six selections. j es i studen- es NCAA versus NAIA es Division strengths, differences studen- Samantha Branch Staff Writer es colleges in the state being NCAA Division I members, why is Westminster the only Utah school With most other in the NAIA? Director of Athletics, Shay Wyatt, lists a number of reasons, including our financial and institutional profile. NCAA Division I members are those who are willing to spend a lot on athletics, Wyatt said. Also, you become extremely commercialized, as a Division I NCAA member. Wyatt doesnt think the commerciality fits with Westminster. Wyatt also notes that NCAA Division I is not financially realistic at this time and there are many requirements for membership Westminster cannot meet right now. Students not involved in athletics probably dont know the differences between the NCAA and the NAIA, or even what they stand for. Westminster is part of the NAIA, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. There are member conferences within the NAIA made up of smaller institutions throughout the United States mainly based upon region or geographic location. Westminster and seven other colleges and universities belong to the Frontier Conference. The NCAA stands for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Within the NCAA there are Division I, Division II and Division III ranging from small colleges to large universities. Like the NAIA, each NCAA division consists of member conferences throughout the United States. Most of Westminsters athletic teams belong to the NAIA and Frontier Conference, but a few newer teams, like lacrosse, alpine skiing and snowboarding affiliate with other associations since not enough NAIA member institutions offer these sports for them to be recognized as an official NAIA sport. Weve had to be kind of creative to get some of our sports affiliated, said Wyatt. He believes it is important for all of Westminsters teams to have a means of a competitive schedule. Some assume that colleges and universities belong to different leagues, divisions or conferences depending on size and ability, which is generally the case due to member requirements and resources, but not always. Westminster has an athletic task force in charge of making decisions regarding our athletic status. Wyatt explains the athletic task force is made up of senior administrators, a coaching representative, and faculty and staff representatives. They are in charge of addressing what are the pros and cons of NAIA and the pros and cons of exploring NCAA and financial obligations of course, said Wyatt. Bookshelves in Wyatts office house awards given to Westminster and one wall displays a large decal of the Westminster Griffin. Even the location of his office, off of the basketball court in HWAC, shows his connection. Wyatt is always looking for the best opportunities for the Griffins. What I can tell you is there is not one perfect fit for any institution, he said. Balance is very important to us; we want athletes to compete at a high level but balance academics and social life. NAIA seems to fit for those goals. According to NAIAs official website, some of their main objectives are academic achievement, ethical behavior, and equal opportunity for all athletes. NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr thinks that the NAIA and smaller schools like Westminster fit well together. The NAIA and our member schools boast a proud reputation for being leaders in small college sports, he said. NAIA members promise a collegiate experience that balances athletics and academics and fosters personal achievement, character development and commitment to teamwork, said Carr. This aligns well with Wyatts idea of balance with sports and academic. Carr acknowledges this. The culture of most NAIA member schools, which tend to be smaller, private and often faith-base- d, aligns very well with this philosophy. Sophomore psychology major and member of the lacrosse team Kaicee Beal enjoys being a part of Westminsters athletic program. I really like playing for Westminster and being on the lacrosse team, Ive played forever and Im glad I could come here and keep playing, she said. Its actually helped me manage my time because I need to make sure I get my homework done so I have time to hang out with my friends when Im not at practice. Carr emphasizes the association between athletics, edWith a significant focus ucation, and on using athletics as a vehicle to teach life lessons there is no doubt we are having a positive impact on the 60,000 young people we serve, said Carr. Our athletes are doing well, said Wyatt. There are some very positive things our students are able to experience with the NAIA. Wyatt appreciates the NAIAs core values. The NAIA does a lot of positive things. Its a character driven organization, he said, and a good educational tool. Carr and the NAIA care about the student-athletthey represent. I want to congratulate the student-athletat Westminster. Only six percent of high school student-athlet- es have the opportunity to compete at the intercollegiate level. It truly is a special achievement, said Carr. He also explains the level of competition in the NAIA is on par with similar institutions in the NCAA. Wyatt wants Westminsters athletic program to reflect the institution as well as enhance it. We are trying to maintain a positive presence and manage our growth properly. This is why the Athletic Task Force discusses different options for Westminster Athletics when necessary. An important question they ask when evaluating the fit of Westminster and an affiliate is are we still meeting the needs of the institution? Wyatt answers his own question with, Yes. Athletics - weve really done some positive things for our institution. well-roundedne- ss. non-athlet- es es es - . 1 es nce 91-perc- ent |