Remember “back in the day” when college athletes were known as “jocks” and academic achievement was not always a top goal?
Fast forward to the new millennium and the term student-athlete means just that.
During Stagg Bowl week last December in Salem, Virginia UW-Whitewater defensive back Jared Kiesow was named the recipient of the Elite 88 award for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Football Championship.
Kiesow, an elementary major and science minor, currently holds a 3.88 grade point average. He has been honored on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honor roll and the UW-W honor roll three (2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-2011).
The Elite 88 is an award founded by the NCAA that recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers.
As an athlete the junior has participated in the NCAA Division III National Championship, the Stagg Bowl, the previous two seasons (2008 and 2009) and aided Whitewater in the return trip this season. Kiesow will be presented with the award during the football banquet Friday afternoon in Salem, Virginia.
Wednesday morning Warhawk Football Training Camp Report on KOOL 106.5 dealt with senior co-captain Greg Arnold managing his studies, football, and his twin daughters while excelling in the classroom. Arnold is a biology major and plans to seek a medical career following college.
Academics definitely plays a major role in the success of UW-Whitewater football. Assistant coach Nelson Edmonds is the assistant director in UW-Whitewater’s Academic Advising and Exploration Center. Assistant coaches Kevin Bullis and Tom Karthauser are also employed in the Academic Advising and Exploration Center.
A spot-check of player’s majors emphasizes the ambition of UW-Whitewater student-athletes seeking a degree while pursuing the passion of playing football.
Majors being sought by the 2010 Warhawk football underclassmen included the following: Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Elementary Education, History, International Studies, Journalism, Mathematics, Psychology, Occupational Safety, Physical Education, Physics, Public Policy & Administration, Social Work and Sociology.
One of the unique aspects of UW-Whitewater current six-year run to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia has been football players who miss December commencement on campus receive their degrees in a special “remote” commencement exercise in Salem via phone with UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer.
That is what NCAA Division III athletics is all about!
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