Jeff King epitomizes the student-athlete at Virginia Tech. The All-ACC tight end has already graduated with a degree in fi nance. King will be working on a graduate degree in health promotions during the season. BUILDING THE MIND AND BODY • Virginia Tech had 200 student-athletes named to the dean’s list at least one semester during 2004-2005. • Tech student-athletes participate in programs sponsored by the Virginia Tech Athletics Offi ce of Student Life, based on the NCAA/CHAMPS Life Skills program. This is a well-rounded program for student-athletes to develop the individual skills necessary to lead successful and productive lives. • Tech’s strength and conditioning program is regarded as one of the best in the nation, and the outstanding facilities include more than 22,000 square-feet of strength and conditioning training space. 2001 • Tech’s Athletic Performance Staff includes a full-time sport psychologist and a sports nutritionist. GATOR 8th bowl of 2005 Football 12 in a row 101 Student Athlete Academic Support Services Pictured with Coach Frank Beamer (center) are 16 members of the 2005 Virginia Tech football team who have either graduated or are on track to graduate this year. (front row, l to r): Jordan Trott, Will Montgomery, Cedric Humes, Darryl Tapp; (second row, l to r): Mike Imoh, Rashad Ferebee; (third row, l to r): Tim Sandidge, Jason Murphy, Reggie Butler, Jeff King, Justin Hamilton, James Anderson; (back row, l to r): Blake Warren, Jimmy Martin, Danny McGrath, Jonathan Lewis. Providing the tools needed for success in the classroom The success of Virginia Tech’s In the last two years, 29 of the and HighTechs. These student- time commitment and their high football program rests largely on 33 seniors had graduated by the athletes and students from visibility, it is an obligation the academic progress of each team’s bowl game. According to support areas were recognized and in the best interest of student-athlete. The academic the American Football Coaches at the Athletic Director’s Honors the university to supply these performance of Tech student- Association 2004 graduation rate, Breakfast last spring. students with services which will athletes has improved each Tech has a 70 percent graduation Student-athletes are the allow them to maximize their year due in part to the Student rate as compared to the 59 most visible student component academic potential. Athlete Academic Support Services percent national average. Tech of a university. They entertain The Virginia Tech Student (SAASS). has received honorable mention thousands of fans, students and Athlete Academic Support Services The Virginia Tech graduation accolades for the AFCA Academic alumni. Their athletic ability and offi ce is committed to providing rate for student-athletes has risen Achievement Award in two of the achievement is the primary focus fundamental and supplemental signifi cantly in recent years and is past four years. for national media attention. programming, consistent with a school-best 74 percent for 2005. In addition to posting Athletic events bring back not University and NCAA policy, This marks the third time in the impressive graduation fi gures, only faithful alumni, but are a aimed at enhancing each student- last four years that Virginia Tech’s Virginia Tech’s student-athletes welcome mat for potential new athlete’s educational experience. student-athlete graduation rate continue to excel in the students. Stakeholders of the offi ce’s has been 70 percent or better. classroom. For the 2004 calendar Student-athletes devote many mission include student-athletes The Virginia Tech football year, 425 3.0 GPA’s were earned by hours to practice, conditioning and their families, the university program has been an integral part student-athletes, student trainers, and training that are not required community, coaches and athletics of this recent academic success. student managers, cheerleaders of all students. Due to their administrators. SAASS seeks to 102102 Virginia Tech Hokies develop relationships with its have access to state-of-the-art stakeholders that are founded technology, quiet study facilities, Chris Helms on trust and respect, and individualized tutorial rooms, and Director of Student Athlete provides the following services to direct access to the SAASS staff. accommodate their needs: This complex will be a focal point Academic Support Services for the Athletics Department, both Beginning his seventh year at Virginia Tech, • University and NCAA aesthetically and pragmatically, Chris Helms is the director and is responsible information and provide a centralized place for for the development and leadership of the • Orientation student athlete services. Student Athlete Academic Support Services • Academic assessment offi ce. Helms oversees an offi ce comprised of • The development of an The new facility features: an associate director, four assistant directors, a systems analyst, an effective student life • More than 18,000 square feet intern, and a secretary forming a group of professionals serving the program of functional space needs of all student-athletes. • Appropriate referrals • 10 Staff Offi ces In addition to his duties directing SAASS, Helms serves as a liaison • Monitored study environments • 18 Private Tutor Rooms between the academic and athletic communities and is an ad hoc • Tutorial programs • State-Of-The-Art Classroom member of the University Athletic Committee. • State of the art technological • 45 Station Computer Lab Helms came to Tech from Michigan State University, where he learning assistance • Three Reading/Study Rooms served as the assistant director of the Student Athlete Support Services • Student Athlete academic • Conference Room offi ce. performance evaluations • Reference Library Prior to MSU, Helms served as the coordinator of academic affairs for the Florida State University football program. Some of his other The expectations of the Together, these spaces provide experience includes academic advisement for student-athletes at Virginia Tech community are that the student-athlete with a variety Central Connecticut State University. each student-athlete achieves of study environments conducive Helms earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Wake Forest their maximum academic and to their success. Athletes can use University and received his master’s in athletic counseling from athletic potential. With the these facilities between classes, Springfi eld College. proper assistance, facilities and after practice or in the evenings, A native of Frederick, Md., he and his wife, Renee, have a son, encouragement, these potentials with fl exible hours tailored to Walker, and a daughter, Meigs. can become a reality. make the most of a student- SAASS provides programming athlete’s limited time. for student-athletes from their Chris Helms, in his seventh forth by the NCAA, ACC and Some of his other experience freshman year through graduation. year at Tech, is the director and is Virginia Tech. includes academic advisement This includes a comprehensive responsible for the development He also helps coordinate for student-athletes at Austin orientation to Tech, study hall, and leadership of the Student support services for the football Peay State University and the mentoring, tutoring, academic Athlete Academic Support Services program, including tutorial University of Southern Mississippi. monitoring, academic recognition offi ce. support, mentoring, organized Howlett earned his bachelor’s and eligibility education. Colin Howlett begins his ninth study table and major and career degree in business administration Additionally, student-athletes are year with Virginia Tech and serves counseling. In addition to these at Susquehanna University and referred to and encouraged to as an associate director in the responsibilities, Howlett assists received his master’s in athletic take advantage of other campus SAASS offi ce. in the recruitment, academic administration from Southern agencies charged with helping In addition to assisting evaluation and admissions of Miss. A native of Allentown, Pa., students in their academic the director in all facets of prospective student-athletes. he and his wife, Lisa, have two pursuits. the program, Howlett oversees Howlett came to Tech from daughters, Natalie and Erika. In the 2005-06 academic year, the advisement of football the University of Maine, where he Katie Ammons is an assistant the SAASS offi ce will be moving student-athletes with regard to served for a year and a half as an director who begins her seventh to the West Side of Lane Stadium. satisfactory progress, eligibility academic advisor for the athletic year and works with the men’s and Here, student-athletes will and degree completion as set department. women’s basketball, men’s and Student-athletes, trainers, managers, cheerleaders and HighTechs who achieved a GPA of at least 3.0 are honored at the Athletic Director’s Honors Breaksfast each year. 2005 Football 103 women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track programs. STUDENT ATHLETE ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES STAFF Ammons is also in charge of the operation of the computer labs and other computing resources available for student-athletes. Ammons is a former standout Hokie student-athlete. Sarah Collins, assistant director, begins her fi rst year as a full time member of the SAASS staff. Collins has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Colin Howlett Katie Ammons Sarah Collins Drew Scales Terrie Repass Virginia Tech and has served Associate Director Assistant Director