• Virginia Tech student-athletes receive outstanding academic support with state-of-the-art study areas and well over 95 tutors. • Tech’s athletic graduation rate is higher than the average overall graduation rate for all Division I universities and has risen significantly in the past few years. • More than 84 percent of all Tech student-athletes who enrolled during the 10-year period from 1987-88 through 1996-97 and completed their eligibility have graduated. • For the fifth year in a row, a new record of 371 student- athletes, HighTechs and cheerleaders were recognized at the Athletic Director’s Honors Breakfast for posting 3.0 GPAs or higher in the 2002 calendar year. • Tech had 212 student-athletes, approximately one-third of the student-athlete population, named to the dean’s list, and 28 Cedric Humes achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA during the fall or spring semesters of the 2002-03 academic year. • A total of 21 Tech athletic teams achieved a 3.0 or better team GPA — eleven teams during the fall semester and 10 during the spring semester. • Tech student-athletes participate in the HiTOPS program (Hokies Turning Opportunities into Personal Success). HiTOPS provides a well-rounded program for student-athletes to develop the individual skills necessary to lead successful and • Virginia Tech’s strength and conditioning program is regarded productive lives. as one of the best in the nation. • A full-time sports psychologist has been added to Tech’s • The Hokies have more than 22,000 square-feet of strength Athletic Performance Staff to help meet the personal and and conditioning training space. performance needs of the student-athletes. • DeAngelo Hall broke a Tech strength and conditioning record in the spring of 2003, recording a time of 4.15 seconds in the 40-yard dash. • Sixteen Hokies achieved Super Iron Hokie status during the spring of 2003, including eight first-time members for the 2002-2003 year. • A brand new training and medical complex was completed in 2002 on the ground floor of the Jamerson Center. • The “Training Edge” dining facility features a comprehensive system of eating for championship performance. • Tech has added a full-time sports nutritionist to the Athletic Performance staff to help the student-athletes achieve their sports nutritional goals. • A new training room has been completed in Rector Field House — Tech’s indoor practice facility — to serve the football Mike Imoh and Brandon Manning team when it moves indoors. SUPPORT Coach Frank Beamer with the 14 members of the 2003 football squad who have already graduated or are on track to graduate following fall semester: (seated) Robert Peaslee and Nathaniel Adibi; (l to r) Garnell Wilds, Jake Grove, Ernest Wilford, Steve Canter, Michael Crawford, Kevin Lewis, Vegas Robinson, Keith Willis, Chris Shreve, Doug Easlick, Jacob Gibson and Cols Colas. Providing student-athletes with the tools for success in the classroom The success of Virginia student-athlete graduation rate Currently, of the 15 seniors HighTechs who posted 3.0 or Tech’s football program rests marks the second straight year on this year’s squad, 13 are greater GPA’s in the 2002 largely on the academic and five in the last 10 years that scheduled to graduate by the calendar year. progress of each student- Tech has reached that level. end of the fall semester. Seven Student-athletes are the athlete. The academic The Virginia Tech football completed their degree prior to most visible student performance of Tech student- program has been an integral this season and another six component of a university. athletes has improved each part of this recent academic are finishing their degree this They entertain thousands of year due in part to the success. According to the fall. fans, students and alumni. Student Athlete Academic American Football Coaches In addition to posting Their athletic ability and Support Services (SAASS). Association 2002 graduation impressive graduation figures, achievement is the primary The Virginia Tech rate, Tech has a 77 percent Virginia Tech’s student- focus for national media graduation rate for student- graduation rate as compared to athletes continue to excel in attention. Athletic events bring athletes has risen the 59 percent national the classroom. Last spring, the back not only faithful alumni, significantly in recent years average. Tech was one of 25 Athletic Director’s Honors but are a welcome mat for and reached 70 percent in institutions to receive honorable Breakfast paid tribute to a potential new students. 2003 as compared to the mention accolades for the record 371 student-athletes, Student-athletes devote national average of 60 AFCA Academic Achievement student trainers, student many hours to practice, percent. The 70 percent Award. managers, cheerleaders and conditioning and training that 2003 Virginia Tech Football 125 SUPPORT are not required of all students. Due to their time commitment Chris Helms and their high visibility, it is an obligation and in the best Director of Student Athlete Academic Support Services interest of the university to supply these students with services which will allow them Beginning his fifth year at Virginia Tech, Chris Helms is the director and is to maximize their academic responsible for the development and leadership of the Student Athlete potential. Academic Support Services office. Helms oversees an office comprised of two The Virginia Tech Student associate directors, three assistant directors, an intern, and a secretary Athlete Academic Support forming a group of professionals serving the needs of all student-athletes. Services office commits to In addition to his duties directing SAASS, Helms serves as a liaison between the academic and providing fundamental and athletic communities and is an ad hoc member of the University Athletic Committee. supplemental programming, Helms came to Tech from Michigan State University, where he served as the assistant director of consistent with University and the Student Athlete Support Services office. NCAA policy, aimed at Prior to MSU, Helms served as the coordinator of academic affairs for the Florida State enhancing each student University football program. Some of his other experience includes academic advisement for athlete’s educational student-athletes at Central Connecticut State University. experience leading to Helms earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Wake Forest University and received his graduation. master’s in athletic counseling from Springfield College. Stakeholders in the office’s A native of Frederick, Md., he and his wife, Renee, have a son, Walker, and a daughter, Meigs. mission include student athletes and their families, the The expectations of the students in their academic their success. Athletes can use university community, coaches Virginia Tech community are pursuits. these facilities between and athletics administrators. that each student-athlete Academic facilities for classes, after practice or in the SAASS seeks to develop achieves their maximum student-athletes include the evenings, with flexible hours relationships with its academic and athletic Monogram Room, a large tailored to make the most of a stakeholders that are founded potential. With the proper room used as a study hall student-athlete’s limited time. on trust and respect, and assistance, facilities and area, adjacent to the SAASS Chris Helms, in his fifth provides the following services encouragement, these office in Cassell Coliseum. The year at Tech, is the director to accommodate their needs: potentials can become a HEAT (Hokies Engaging in and is responsible for the reality. Advanced Technology) Lab development and leadership of • University and NCAA Student Athlete Academic and its satellite sites house the Student Athlete Academic information Support Services provides over 40 computers on the Support Services office. • Orientation programming for student- second floor and third floors of Lois Berg, associate • Academic assessment athletes from their freshman Cassell Coliseum. Laptop director, begins her 15th year • The development of an year through graduation. This computers are also available at Tech. She is primarily in effective student life includes a comprehensive for Tech athletes to use when charge of developing the program orientation to Tech, study hall, travelling to away contests. freshman orientation program, • Appropriate referrals mentoring, tutoring, academic The athletic department also which ensures the student- • Monitored study monitoring, academic provides areas for private, athlete a smooth transition environments recognition and eligibility quiet study for the athletes’ from high school to the • Tutorial programs education. Additionally, convenience. university. • State of the art technological student-athletes are referred to Together, these spaces She is also responsible for learning assistance and encouraged to take provide the student-athlete providing programming to • Student Athlete academic advantage of other campus with a variety of study assigned student-athletes from performance evaluations agencies charged with helping environments conducive to the sports of baseball, softball, A record 371 student-athletes, student trainers, student managers, cheerleaders and HighTechs were honored at the Athletic Director’s Honors breakfast last spring. 126 2003 Virginia Tech Football SUPPORT Student Athlete Academic Support Services Staff Lois Berg Colin Howlett Katie Ammons Renia Edwards Drew Scales Terrie Repass Associate Director Associate