C.A.T.S., a model program for three decades, has used creative, innovative and effective programming to connect all areas of the student-athlete experience and develop student-athletes in all facets of their lives. The embodiment of the Wildcat Way, Arizona's Commitment to an Athlete's Total Success, has been a guiding force of academic, life skills, medical services, strength and conditioning and mental health services for student-athletes.
"The primary role of C.A.T.S. Academics is to support student-athletes in their academic pursuits," said Associate Athletics Director for C.A.T.S. Academics
John Mosbach. "This takes shape in the form of academic advising, major selection, learning support and study skills to help our students navigate their journey to graduation. This approach not only applies to work in the classroom, but it carries on into areas such as internships and study abroad opportunities."
The creed of the Wildcat Way are the words "I am; I can; I will." And when it comes to the unparalleled success of Wildcats in the classroom; "They have".
ACHIEVING LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Arizona Athletics has seen its student-athletes take their academic accomplishments to new heights. Arizona's overall GPA's began trending up starting in the 2015-16 academic year before reaching unprecedented levels. For three consecutive semesters, Wildcats have broken GPA records in historic fashion. The rewriting of the department's academic record books began in the Spring of 2018 when all student-athletes posted an overall semester GPA of 3.028, which was the highest fall or spring semester GPA on record at the time.
The next semester saw that bar raised even higher when Arizona upped its overall GPA to 3.057 in the fall of 2018 that marked the highest overall semester grade point average in department history. Nearly 300 student-athletes earned a 3.0 GPA or higher, with 179 posting a 3.5 or above and an impressive 70 finished with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
The academic excellence of historical proportions continued in Spring 2019 when Wildcats from all programs combined to post a 3.055 overall GPA, which was the highest spring semester GPA in Arizona history. That semester also saw another department record set as the cumulative GPA of student-athletes reached an all-time high of 3.102.
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"Academic excellence is a foundational pillar of the student-athlete experience at the University of Arizona," said Vice President and Director of Athletics
Dave Heeke. "Achieving greatness in the classroom is part of living the Wildcat Way as we fulfill our mission of educating and developing the future leaders of our community. To see these tremendous academic accomplishments from all of our Wildcats is a powerful testament the Wildcat Way and the opportunities we provide for student-athletes to become academic, athletic and life champions. What Arizona Athletics has accomplished in the classroom over the last two years reinforces our department's position as both a point of pride for our community and as a national leader in college athletics."
Setting department records for GPA isn't the only metric measuring all-around success of student-athletes in the classroom at the University of Arizona. Soaring scores in Graduate Success Rate data from the NCAA has furthered the upward trajectory of academic excellence.
In the most recent national data, released in October of 2019, Arizona matched its all-time high for GSR scores with 86 percent. The new record score tied Arizona's mark set in 2018 and is the culmination of a 13 percent increase over seven years and 21 percent increase since 2010.
"Coming off a string of historic successes in the classroom is one of the most exciting times in my career," Mosbach noted. "It is the culmination of a ton of great work by a lot of staff members and our student-athletes who have worked tirelessly to succeed at the highest levels academically. To see high-level academic achievement throughout the department is very important because it reinforces how the education and development of student-athletes is truly at the heart of what we do. It's a vital piece in the narrative of what it means to be a student-athlete at the University of Arizona. Our student-athlete success is a great story to share to our campus partners as well as those in the Southern Arizona community. It's something everyone can get behind to support and celebrate because the journeys of Wildcats not only change lives but our community as well."
THE MANY FACES OF SUCCESS
The storylines of academic success of the hundreds of Wildcats who helped propel the record-breaking ways of Arizona Athletics are as varied as they are many. Gustav Kehris of Arizona Track and Field is one of those stories. From Latvia to Tucson to Cambridge, Kehris and his journey as a student-athlete is a testimony to pursuing a dream; 800 meters at a time. The Physics major, who became the valedictorian of the 2019 Arizona Athletics convocation, graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Graduation may have signified the end of his career as a Wildcat, but Kehris is continuing his standout ways by beginning his graduate studies in Particle Physics at Cambridge.
There was another 2019 graduate who took an inspirational path to commencement. Ray Smith, a member of the men's basketball program, was forced to medically retire after three devastating knee injuries before every playing in a regular season game.
His perseverance and dedication to being a student and an athlete drove his powerful journey to becoming a University of Arizona graduate.
Student-athlete excellence and achievement, a foundational corner stone of the Wildcat Way, isn't just on display with current Wildcats. The C.A.T.S. Forever program has lengthened the history of success stories. The program helps those who leave school to pursue professional opportunities by honoring the financial commitment of their scholarships as they continue to take classes towards their degree even after they have left campus.
Herman Harris was a standout guard for Arizona Basketball in the 1970's who left for the NBA Draft before finishing his degree. That professional career transitioned into military service and then decades in city government in Tucson. Harris stayed connected to campus through C.A.T.S. Forever and continued his studies class by class, bit by bit. In 2018, four decades after his final game as a Wildcat, he fulfilled his promise to his mother and graduated from the University of Arizona.
WHERE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE LIVES
Playing a vital role in the widespread academic success of student-athletes is Arizona's state-of-the-art Ginny L. Clements Academic Center. The $5.5 million facility opened in October of 2016 and sits in the heart of Arizona Athletics' facilities. It is home to C.A.T.S. Academics and Life Skills and is the epicenter of student-athlete development.
With over 15,000 square feet in space for classrooms, offices, labs, study areas and meeting rooms, the Clements Academic Center is a key cog in the mission of Arizona Athletics to educate and develop student-athletes into the future leaders of our community by living the Wildcat Way. It is the home of student-athlete success and holistic development. It's where Wildcats prepare for life after graduation, and it's located just across the street from McKale Center.
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"The Ginny L. Clements Academic Center has been a transformational space for C.A.T.S. Academics and student-athletes," Mosbach continued. "Having a standalone facility dedicated to the academic pursuits helps students transition their mindset from practice or rehab to enter a space that fosters academic exploration and intellectual growth. This beautiful facility allows students to learn in a diverse array of settings such as individual study rooms, group study rooms, classrooms and tutorial labs in addition to various spaces around the facility for casual study. These unique spaces directly support C.A.T.S. Academics mission by housing an inclusive environment for a variety of learners and learning styles."
Student-athlete success is at the core of the Wildcat Way and the mission of the University of Arizona's athletics department. The academic accomplishments of Wildcats are key in every step of their journeys because the student-athlete experience is more than just wins and losses. It's about being a teammate and a leader, and Wildcats are leading the way in achieving greatness in the classroom.
