PVCC amps importance of academics to athletes

By Brittnee Flood, March 2010
Community Editor

With the introduction of the Paradise Athletic Web System know as PAWS and the revamping of the Faculty Academic Mentoring Program, the Paradise Valley Community College Athletic Department is taking a stand on the importance of student athletes being students first and foremost.

When Kevin Arps, the sole faculty mentor for all of the PVCC sports teams, stepped down at the end of the spring 2009 term after seven years, nine faculty members stepped up to lend their support. This was just the beginning of some exciting changes being made to ensure that student-athletes have the support they need to get the most out of their overall college experience while attending PVCC.

The PAWS program was designed to help improve time management for student-athletes because they are committed to being enrolled as full-time students in addition to their individual sports obligations. Greg Silcox, director of athletics at PVCC, emphasizes that with student-athletes, the student part comes first, athlete second.

Athletes are able to login to PAWS using their MEID and password to check on how they are doing in their classes. It will also assist them in managing their academic goals and eligibility. Athletes are only able to view their personal information. Faculty and coaches are able to access the PAWS Web site as well.

Coaches request once a month that instructors log into PAWS and fill out a simple five-question form on the athletes enrolled in their classes. The form takes less than five minutes to complete, and there is also a comment box for instructors to express any praise or academic concerns. If concerns are expressed, the mentors step in and contact the students to let them know what action needs to be taken to correct the situation.

Marianne Botos, faculty mentor for women’s softball and a baseball enthusiast, described mentoring as, “one more set of informed eyes to help with adjustments.” Botos explained that she has had the best luck calling her athletes directly on their cell phones when a concern has come up.

Jeanne Franco, faculty mentor for both men’s and women’s tennis and golf teams, started with the new program last semester. Her men’s tennis team had the highest GPA out of all 12 sports teams for the fall 2009 semester at 3.689. Their first match of the season will be against Mesa on the campus courts, Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Franco only has a spectator’s connection to the sports she is a mentor for, but says, “My connection is with the students in that I have a great desire for each of them to be successful in both school and their respective sports.”

Botos said, “PVCC is unique in their focus on learning.” Collectively the sports teams here at PVCC have a GPA that is higher than the all-school average.