Through the fall 2024 semester, student-athletes took on the challenge of excelling in both athletics and academics. Together, they competed and achieved a notable team GPA.
Although balancing studying and practicing simultaneously was difficult, these individuals proved it wasn’t impossible. Their accomplishments did not go unnoticed, thanks to their hard work and focus. At the same time, they adjusted their schedules to ensure they got the rest they needed.
Men’s golf earned a team GPA of 3.5 through dedication and effective time management.
Bryden Brown, junior accounting major on the men’s golf team, excelled both on the course and in the classroom. “Time management can be very difficult as a golfer due to our long days of many hours on the course and in class,” Brown said. However, he maintained a relatively consistent schedule.
While golf was not the only team with an impressive GPA, women’s soccer boasted a strong academic GPA of 3.69. The team studied on the way to games to prioritize academics while also maintaining their rest.
Lauryn White, senior elementary education major said, “Everyone worked just as hard in their studies as they did on the field.”
As she prepared to graduate in the spring 2025 semester, White set high standards for herself. “My academic goal for this semester was to have a 4.0 GPA so I could go into my student teaching with the highest GPA possible,” she said.
Setting personal standards has become a common practice in CBU sports, but setting team standards is considered even more effective. Lisa Siregar, coach of the women’s swimming and diving team, ensured that every other week her athletes maintained at least a 2.5 GPA by increasing study time in the study hall.
These academic habits helped the women’s swimming and diving team achieve a team GPA of 3.5. Looking ahead, Siregar hoped to reach even greater goals. “Like a national [championship] or even top eight in [our] conference,” Siregar said.
Siregar added, “They study before they swim because they are students before they are athletes.”
The swim team’s discipline played a crucial role in its overall success, in and out of the pool.
Although balancing athletics, personal commitments and academics was challenging, these student-athletes did not give up. Instead, they worked hard in their studies and in their respective sports to achieve their academic and athletic goals.
