While winning conference, regional and national
titles is a goal all Tiger teams strive for, success in the
classroom is of utmost importance to the entire athletic department.
Student-athletes are monitored daily in
the classroom. And should any concerns arise, coaches are immediately
notified.
Bruce Watson, ADA coordinator and minority
student counselor, said several mechanisms were in place to
ensure the success
of students in the classroom.
“We have the Early Academic Warning
System with nine areas that we look at,” Watson said. “I
operate as the liaison between the athletic director and the
coaches.”
Watson provides coaches with daily updates
on their players based on warnings submitted by Cowley faculty.
Examples of warnings:
• an athlete late for
class,
• an athlete missing
class,
• an athlete not performing
well in class,
• an athlete performing
well.
“Of the nine evaluating areas, five
are good and four are bad,” Watson
said. “I can inform a coach of an athlete’s excellence
just as I can provide him with information that the athlete
isn’t attending class. This is a daily issue.”
Watson corresponds with the coaching staff
via hand-written notes, not e-mail.
“And I submit a monthly report to
the athletic director,” Watson
said. “Or if an athlete is in danger, I tell the athletic
director immediately.”
Watson said Cowley has in place several
programs to help student athletes be successful.
“One could be the Adopt-a-Player program,
one tutoring, or one the Early Academic Warning System,” Watson
said. “It’s
up to the student to grab on to one of those areas.”
Watson said all coaches provide study halls
for their athletes.
“They have proven to be very positive,” Watson
said. “And
we have required supervision for the study hall. An athlete
has to bring something to the study hall. This is for all
sports.”
Watson said Athletic Director Tom Saia’s commitment to
the academic success programs was key to the entire process.
“The success of the Adopt-a-Player
program and the academic program is due to Tom’s interest,” Watson
said. “He
is not as interested in winning the conference as he is
in a successful educated student. He wants those students to
get
the best affordable education. He loves to win national
titles, but he also wants athletes to be successful in the
classroom.”
Watson may be reached by calling (620) 441-5306.
His office is located on the main floor of the D. Robert Storbeck
Dormitory.
