Mission & Services
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide comprehensive academic support, counseling, guidance, services, and programming to all University of Louisville student-athletes while promoting self-responsibility, personal growth, and academic development.
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Academic Counseling
Student-athletes are required to meet with their academic counselor on a regular basis. Counselors provide academic support to assure student-athletes are utilizing available resources and maintaining satisfactory academic progress to stay on track for graduation. They monitor academic progress throughout the semester and communicate with coaches concerning student performance and academic issues.
Learning Concerns
Student-athletes with specific learning challenges may require increased support in addition to our academic counselors. Our staff includes two learning specialists with years of special education experience to work with these students on enhancing note taking, test taking, study, time management, and organizational skills. They also work with the University's Disability Resource Center to coordinate services for our students with diagnosed learning challenges.
Tutoring
Tutoring is one of the most utilized resources for our student-athletes. The Tutorial Coordinator manages a large group of tutors across all subject areas. They work with our Compliance office to assure all tutors are staying within NCAA regulations and coordinate with the University's Resources for Academic Achievement (REACH) center to make sure our tutors are College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) certified.
Beyond the Buzzer
Beyond the Buzzer is a comprehensive program that enhances the collegiate experience and holistic development of all University of Louisville student-athletes. Beyond the Buzzer incorporates priorities and initiatives of the NCAA and ACC, but also covers topics related to life, leadership and career development and community engagement. The vision of Beyond the Buzzer aims to provide each student-athlete with opportunities to discover and develop strengths, values, goals, individual purpose, leadership skills, career exploration and options for life after sports. Rooted in a curriculum that builds year after year, Beyond the Buzzer impacts each student-athlete in their own way. While programs, events, meetings, and experiences may be offered to all student-athletes, each person reflects and processes the concepts in ways that are most appropriate for their growth and development. Participation in anything under the Beyond the Buzzer umbrella, provides student-athletes with the foundation and resources for success at the University of Louisville and life after their college days are over, once the final buzzer sounds.
Objective Based Study Hall
All incoming student-athletes are required to participate in objective based study hall. The program is built upon students working with their counselors to create and complete weekly objective sheets in a structured environment. Specific stipulations such as the number of hours and upper-classmen requirements vary from team to team.
Progress Reports
Progress reports for all student-athletes are sent out to instructors twice each semester via email. Their feedback is an invaluable tool in assessing academic progress and formulating academic recovery strategies for students that may be struggling.
Travel Letters
All in-season student-athletes will be given official University travel letters at the beginning of the semester. Travel letters will detail all the classes that are expected to be missed that semester due to athletic competition. They provide student-athletes an opportunity to engage their instructors early in the semester regarding any potential issues with missed assignments or exams, allowing ample time to make appropriate arrangements.
Priority Registration
All student-athletes meet with their athletic academic counselor and University advisor for major advising, course selection, and to discuss degree program requirements. It is imperative that students understand how the classes they take impact their progress toward degree and determine whether they stay on track for graduation.
Facilities
The state-of-the-art Thorntons Academic Center of Excellence houses our Academic Services for Athletics, Beyond the Buzzer, and N.I.L. departments, serving as the hub for all student-athlete academic, leadership, and career services. In addition to tutorial areas, computer laboratories, study areas, offices, and classroom space, the over 40,000-square-foot center also houses a high-performance training table to fuel our student-athletes.
Technology
All of our academic facilities are equipped with computer labs and printers to meet student-athlete needs. We also have a full time Computer Specialist who works to ensure that all labs are operational and assists with diagnosing issues on student's personal laptops as they arise. Due to travel demands and the increased amount of online work, we provide laptops for our students to check out as needed.
Aid, Awards, and Scholarships
Academic counselors assist our student-athletes on completing nominations for University, ACC, and NCAA awards and scholarships. They work with our Compliance office on financial aid issues as well as awarding summer and fifth year aid. We also coordinate the Houston-Bridgeman Fellows Cardinal Degree Completion program to assist returning student-athletes in graduating.
Organizations
Academic Services for Athletics advises several Registered Student Organizations exclusive to our student-athletes. Student-Athletes of Color Combining Opportunity and Responsibility for Excellence (SCORE),  Louisville International Family Enrichment (LIFE), and Los Cardenales help serve the needs of our minority and international students. These groups provide programming and opportunities to get involved on campus and in the community. We also oversee the University of Louisville chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society.
